Co-Chairs,

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

At the outset, please allow me to express our Group's appreciation to co-Chairs, Ms. Juliette Babb-Riley and Ms. Carolyn Schwalger for convening this 2nd informal meeting. And I would like to thank the joint coordinators for sharing their insightful views which will be useful for the consideration of the working method of the 2nd cycle. We would like to reiterate our full support and confidence in your leadership to steer this process forward.

Co-Chairs,

As a way forward, once again, we would like to emphasize the supporting role of this process to other processes. And we are glad to learn that Co-Chairs have started engaging with other processes as well as other awareness raising activities. These other processes include, among others, 1) the ICP taking place next week with the topic of "marine debris" which is one of the chapters of the 1st World Ocean Assessment 2) the PrepCom on BBNJ, and 3) all relevant processes for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, especially Goal 14 including its follow-up and review.

This interaction would help clarify trends and define topics as well as their scope for the work of 2nd cycle. Considering this important challenge that the Regular Process has to take up, we are therefore of the view that the 2nd cycle should have at least the same duration as the 1st cycle, which is 5 years.

Co-Chairs,

In the light of the lessons learned, the resource constraint has been highlighted as one of the major concerns for the 2nd cycle. We already expressed our view during the 1st informal meeting last May that there is a clear need to review the funding method. We look forward to the report by the Secretary-General to review the resource requirements for the 2nd cycle as well as some concrete recommendation before the convening of the 7th meeting this summer. Indeed, additional resources either from regular budget or from voluntary contribution (both in kind such as awareness raising or outreach activities and financial) are welcome. To this end, it is important to keep raising Member States' awareness of this important process. Furthermore, making the best use of this process and ensuring greater coherence of this process with other processes would avoid duplication of resources.

Co-Chairs,

Finally, on behalf of the Group, I would like to commend once again DOALOS for its valuable supporting role in this process as always.

Thank you very much for your kind attention.