STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY H.E. GENERAL SURASAK KARNJANARAT, MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND, AT THE HIGH-LEVEL SIGNATURE CEREMONY FOR THE PARIS AGREEMENT (New York, 22 April 2016)

Mr. Chairman,

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

2. At the outset, allow me to express appreciation to the Secretary-General for convening this high-level signature ceremony for the Paris Agreement.

3. The Agreement is a result of the collective and tireless efforts of all Parties working constructively in a spirit of compromise and represents a step forward in our efforts on climate change.

4. While we are signing the Paris Agreement today, we must not forget the urgent need to enhance pre-2020 ambition, including the ratification of the Doha amendment to the Kyoto Protocol, which will provide a strong basis for post-2020 efforts under the Paris Agreement. We also need to address the significant gap between the aggregate effect of Parties' mitigation pledges in terms of global annual emissions of greenhouse gases by 2020 and aggregate emission pathways consistent with holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2ºC above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5º C.

5. In our view, the focus now should both be on the entry into force of the Paris Agreement and on delivering major tasks to enhance pre-2020 implementation. This includes action on adaptation which is an urgent priority for developing countries. Financing for adaptation is critical and securing the continued role of the Adaptation Fund pre 2020 and beyond 2020 is welcomed and should be enhanced.

6. On mitigation, developed countries should continue taking the lead by undertaking and increasing economy-wide absolute emission reduction targets for their pledges and nationally determined contributions (NDCs). For developing countries, capacity-building support for climate action is critical and should be based on and responsive to national needs and foster country ownership. The process of capacity-building must be participatory, country-driven, and cross-cutting. Enhanced financial and technological support from developed countries will allow for effective implementation and enhanced ambition of developing countries.

Mr. Chairman,

7. While the Group of 77 and China remains committed in implementation, our group has been the most affected by the adverse impacts of climate change which are steadily eroding the development gains and the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development that we seek to achieve.

8. We are already taking ambitious measures to prevent further harm and to adapt to inevitable changes in line with our capacities. For our endeavours to be achieved, it is critical that developed countries enhance the ambition of their actions and ensure that actions of developing countries are adequately supported.

Mr. Chairman,

9. Transformation of our economies to low carbon development pathways requires adequate, predictable and sustainable climate financing. Means of implementation is a key pillar for the implementation of the Agreement. We welcome the approval of the first projects by the Green Climate Fund. We envision that a substantive discussions and decision on increasing climate finance will be an important outcome of COP 22 in Morocco.

Mr. Chairman,

10. In this fight against climate change, we need genuine cooperation. We, the Group of 77 and China, are willing and ready as always to play our constructive part in this cooperation which underscores our commitments to our generation and the future generations to come.

I thank you.