Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

2. Since this is the last resumed session of the Working Group for this year and we have indeed a good deal of work ahead of us, I will be brief. Our position has been clearly stated and reiterated along the year, and it has not changed.

Mr. Chairman,

3. The political commitment of the 132 countries of the Group of 77 and China to the adoption of a second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol remains firm. As you recall, in the G77 Ministerial Declaration adopted in September, where the Ministers concluded that an "appropriate treatment of mitigation, as determined in the Bali Roadmap, demands a decision on establishing the commitments of the second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol at CMP 7" here in Durban.

4. Significant and ambitious efforts must be made in order to achieve the adoption of the second commitment period during this session of the AWG-KP, showing that developed countries are exercising the leadership they committed to under the UNFCCC.

5. In this regard, the Group of 77 and China expects that developed countries put forward ambitious quantified emission reduction commitments under the AWG-KP. The pledges that are currently on the table are insufficient vis a vis what is required by science, equity and historical responsibilities.

6. The G77 and China, the negotiating block that encompasses most of the countries signatories of the Convention and the Protocol is strongly asking for a clear commitment on the second commitment period, implemented through an amendment of the Annex B, according with art. 3.9 of the Convention.

7. Furthermore, the second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol must be the basis for comparable Annex I emission reduction commitments of Non Kyoto Protocol Parties.

8. The Group of 77 and China has emphasized clearly that the Kyoto Protocol is the cornerstone of the climate change regime, and an essential instrument to maintain and increase the levels of ambition for emission reduction commitments of developed countries.

9. Therefore, the adoption of Annex I Parties commitments for the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol is central for a successful outcome of this Meeting of the Parties here in Durban. The KP, its mechanisms, its rules and its compliance system must be preserved and strengthened for the preservation of the legally-binding international multilateral rules-based system created under the Convention.

10. The work of the AWG-KP must conclude with the adoption of the said amendment of the second commitment period. Any other decision would put in doubt our shared commitment to multilateralism and to the decisive action needed if we are to maintain a realistic chance to limit the increase in global mean temperature as required by science.

11. In order to get a second commitment period in Durban, and overcome the impasse on what comes first, if the number or the rules, we are ready to negotiate here on all agenda items within the KP, in a balanced and comprehensive manner.

Mr. Chairman,

12. The Group of 77 and China calls for all Parties to engage in a constructive spirit in these negotiations. The Group of 77 and China has come to Durban with the resolve to make this Conference a success, and we will support your efforts to bring the parties together to that end.

Finally, Mr. Chairman,

13. I would like to highlight that we cannot assume at the beginning of Durban that we will fail in the adoption of a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, rather, as I said during the opening of the CMP, Durban should be the birthplace of such a commitment. Let me assure you once again of the full support of the G77 and China to this process and to your leadership in this direction.

I thank you.