Mr. Chairman,
Excellencies,
Dear Colleagues, good morning!

        I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

Mr. President,

        Allow me at the outset to express our appreciations to the Government and people of Denmark for hosting this exceptionally important meeting in the beautiful city of Copenhagen, and to the Convention's Secretariat for their excellent arrangements.

Mr. President,

        In Bali we all agreed to forward the results of the AWGKP work for the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP) at its fifth session for adoption. For all of us in developing countries where climate change is already diminishing our development prospects and aggravating the vulnerability of our poor communities, we expect the AWG- KP to forward ambitious quantified emission reduction targets for Annex 1 Parties for the second commitment periods that will set a pathway for still more ambitious targets in subsequent periods.

Mr. President,

        The Group 77 and China would also like to reaffirm that the core mandate of the AWG-KP is to define ambitious quantified emission reductions for developed countries for the second and subsequent commitment periods with that will significantly contribute to the minimization of future impacts of climate change.

        However, the process we have seen so far has taken us in circles avoiding this very clear and legal mandate. In the last two sessions it has become clear that our partners want to go far beyond this mandate and to dismantle Kyoto-Protocol itself, the only treaty instrument we have which elaborates the legal obligation for Annex 1 Parties to reduce their ever increasing emissions. We have seen that Annex 1 Parties have used delay tactics and have not met any of the agreements to reach conclusions on their emission reductions, as set out in the AWG-KP work programme in Poznan, only a year ago.

Mr. President,

        These efforts completely reframe the Bali Road Map Agreement to have a 2 track outcome in Copenhagen, with the continuation of the Kyoto Protocol for legally binding mitigation efforts of developed countries (that have joined Kyoto) on the one hand, and on the other hand an outcome under the Convention aimed at the sustained and full implementation of its' provisions. These efforts by our developed country partners have the effect of undermining and reinterpreting the Convention itself, including the foundational principles of equity, common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

Mr. President,

        The Group 77 and China strongly reaffirms its position that a second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol must be established for a period beyond 2012 as the basis for comparable Annex I emission reduction commitments. Therefore the Group vigorously opposes all attempts by developed countries to reach an agreement in Copenhagen which could in any way result in the Kyoto Protocol being superseded or made redundant. We insist that a second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol is an essential requirement, without which agreement in Copenhagen will not be possible.

Mr. President,

        The Group notes that currently there is a huge gap between the very low aggregate level of ambition being put forward by Annex I Parties and what the science requires. In this context, we insist that our work here in Copenhagen must focus on reaching agreement on the ambitious economy wide quantified emission reduction commitments of all Annex 1 Parties. So far we have not seen any real leadership from Annex I Parties in coming forward with credible commitments which reflects their historical responsibility. Now is the moment for annex I countries to show the leadership that we have long been waiting to see and for them to shoulder their responsibilities.

Mr. President,

        The Group of 77 and China insists that there is nothing to stop us achieving an ambitious, momentous and historical international climate change outcome in Copenhagen. We assure you that the Group will continue to engage openly and constructively in the work of the AWG-KP to define the second and subsequent commitment periods for the Kyoto Protocol. The Group of 77 and China would also like to appeal to all Parties, particularly Annex I Parties to engage faithfully in the negotiations to complete the mandate of the AWG-KP and to build a strong Kyoto Protocol which is the foundation and basis for a fair, just, effective and equitable outcome in Copenhagen.

        I thank you.