National communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention.

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MR. HAROLDO DE OLIVEIRA MACHADO FILHO, DELEGATE OF BRAZIL, AT THE 9TH MEETING OF THE FIFTEENTH SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES (COP) TO THE UN FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE (COPENHAGEN, DENMARK, 18 DECEMBER 2009) (Copenhagen, Denmark, 18 December 2009)

Mr. President,

I have the honor and the responsibility of speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 7 (b)(ii): National communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention.

For the last two years, Mr. President, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, Brazil took the floor at every final plenary of the SBI to express the profound disappointment of the Group on the fact that the Consultative Group (CG) had not been reconstituted. But I'm glad to take the floor at this COP plenary to recognize that we have finally adopted a decision on the reconstitution of the CG. We would like to acknowledge the level of flexibility that has been shown by all Parties in reaching an agreement on this issue and the spirit of compromise has prevailed.

Nevertheless, Mr. President, the time that has been lost without the assistance of the CG cannot be recuperated and certainly, Mr. President, the process of preparation of national communications from Non-Annex I parties has been undermined.

To conclude this brief statement on a happier note, allow me to say that we are looking forward to seeing the CG up and running next year.

Thank you, Mr. President.