Co-Chairs,

The Group of 77 and China remain supportive and engaged in the second cycle which has been launched last year in accordance with the omnibus resolution 70/235 on oceans and the law of the sea.

As we are now embarking on the 2nd Cycle, we wish to thank you and the Bureau for the preliminary indicative work programme for the period of 2017-2020. We are in much support of the proposed programme which includes the objectives and planned activities leading to the conclusion of the 2nd cycle expected in 2020. We must bear in mind that the realization of the 2nd cycle will be done in the context of the increasing awareness of oceans as important factor for development.

We welcome the preparation of the 1st Global Integrated Marine Assessment Handbook(s) for Policy-makers which will be the opportunity for the experts to review the 1st Assessment and evaluate trends against the backdrop of other ongoing United Nations processes, such as the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially Goal 14, the development of an international legally binding instrument under UNCLOS on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) and the processes under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, especially the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. This 1st outcome of the 2nd cycle expected in May 2017 is timely and will be the concrete way for the Regular Process to play the supporting role to other UN processes. For us, these documents will lay the cornerstone for the 2nd World Ocean Assessments which we expect to support policy development and decision-making at all levels. To this end, we wish to stress that the socioeconomic aspects should be more integrated in the Assessment so as to facilitate impact on decision-makers.

Regarding the method of work for the 2nd cycle, as the nomination of experts is still in progress, we are of the view that the Group of Experts should be composed of experts from the broadest possible range of the disciplines, especially the need for more experts from the socioeconomic fields. Necessary resources should be made available so that they are able to work in the best possible condition, including the development of appropriate communications support between the Group of Experts, the pool of experts and the writing teams. At this early stage of the 2nd cycle, it is timely for concerned persons to get together to reflect, in light of lessons learned from the 1st cycle, on the possible guidelines for the preparation of the report so as to keep the standard quality of the whole report with an objective to make it more of policy-makers friendly than scientific paper.

Co-Chairs,

We appreciate your continued efforts to reach out other UN Processes (such as BBNJ PrepCom) as well as to engage with others bodies for partnerships and mutual support. In order to make the Regular Process more visible and the Assessment most meaningful, the Regular Process should work in coherence with other relevant processes and bodies. The high-level United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 to be held in Fiji in June 2017 will be an important milestone event from which the Regular process can inspire both in terms of synergies generated in this current context and trends and dynamics for future Assessment. At the same time, we also consider this important conference as the good occasion to launch this handbook for Policy-makers regarding the 2013 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Co-Chairs,

During the 1st Cycle, one major lesson learned is the lack of appropriate financial and human resources, thus there is a need to review the funding method for the Regular Process in light of an estimate overall resource requirements for the 2nd Cycle. To this end, we thank the Secretary General for his detailed report on resource requirements for the second cycle of the Regular Process on the basis of the indicative work programme. The Group of 77 and China would like to express its support for the necessary budget be secured so that the Regular process be at the best conditions to discharge its mandate. We are of the view that the funding through dedicated resources from a regular budget will offer more certainty in the work plan while we also encourage the voluntary contribution, through the Trust Fund. We would like to appeal and encourage the countries which are in the position to contribute to do so and we wish to thank those who contributed to the Trust Fund. Furthermore, the contribution in kind such as hosting a regional workshop is also encouraged.

Co-Chairs,

Last but not least, we wish to offer our sincere acknowledgement to the experts and DOALOS as Secretary for their valuable contribution and their efforts to make the Regular Process cost-efficient.

I thank you.