INTERVENTION ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS. PRIM MASRINUAN, COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE PREPARATORY MEETING FOR THE SEVENTEENTH INFORMAL CONSULTATIVE PROCESS OF THE UNITED NATIONS OPEN-ENDED INFORMAL CONSULTATIVE PROCESS ON OCEANS AND THE LAW OF THE SEA (New York, 21 March 2016)

Co-Chairs,

Thank you for the floor. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

First of all, I would like to congratulate you on your appointment as Co-Chairs of the seventeenth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (or ICP). Under your able leadership, I am confident that the ICP can fulfill its mandate and render an outcome that gives evidence of its effectiveness and utility as a pertinent forum for discussions on issues related to oceans and the law of the sea. I would like to assure you of our Group's full support at this seventeenth meeting of the ICP on the topic "Marine debris, plastics and microplastics".

The Group of 77 and China are satisfied with the draft agenda and the proposed topics of the panel segments that intend to address all the important aspects of marine debris, plastics and microplastics, so as to assess its impact on each of the three pillars of sustainable development. In the context of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially under Goal 14 where States are committed to significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, including marine debris by 2025, the discussion on this topic is needed and most timely.

Co-Chairs,

The First World Ocean Assessment Report identifies the need of better understanding of marine debris. To this end, it is important to engage all stakeholders and agencies at all levels in the discussion and exchange of views during this session. We also support the Co-Chairs' call for the nomination of panelists from countries which are able to share experiences of their national actions and best practices on this matter. The composition of the panel should be based on the equitable representation of the panelists from the developing countries and from the developed countries. Regarding this problem of transboundary nature, sharing of lessons learned or best practices among states can greatly contribute in addressing the issue.

We also commend and wish to materialize the initiative of the Co-Chairs to webcast the meeting which is relied on the available funding from the United Nations Programme of Assistance. We are of the view that effort to reach out and to raise public awareness is imperative for further concrete actions on this problem.

Finally, I would like to reiterate that the Group of 77 and China stands ready to constructively engage with other member states in this process.

I thank you.