Distinguished Co-Facilitators,

1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. At the outset, I would like to thank the Co-Facilitators for your hard work, in presenting the draft version of the declaration.

2. The Group of 77 and China emphasizes its continued commitment since the convening of the High Level Meeting on Sea Level Rise in September 2024, and further extend our support for successful outcome in achieving this declaration on this critical matter.

3. Recognizing that climate change-related sea level rise disproportionately impacts developing countries, in particular Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and coastal communities in developing countries, we highlight the need for enhanced international cooperation and action to mitigate climate change and strengthen their adaptive capacities to address the most severe impacts of sea level rise.

4. We reaffirm our support to action taking into account the best available science and knowledge, including traditional knowledge, knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local knowledge systems. We support an appropriate reference to the free, prior, and informed consent of such knowledge holders.

5. Further, we underscore the need to recognize and respect the integral role and rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, including over their traditional territories and note the language on their inclusion as well as the impact of sea level rise on culture and tangible and intangible heritage, in the current draft.

Dear Co-Facilitators,

6. The Group urgently calls for ambitious, enhanced, and coordinated action to address the adverse impacts of climate change. In this regard, we stress the importance of fully implementing the United Nations Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement, as well as other relevant sources of international law. This will significantly lower climate risks and impacts, including sea level rise and ocean resilience, and therefore our shared future.
 
7. We recall that Article 2.2 of the Paris Agreement affirms that implementation must reflect equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in light of different national circumstances. This is a pivotal principle for global climate action.

8. The G77 and China underscore the urgent need to scale up support for developing countries to adapt to the unavoidable effects of climate change related sea level rise, in particular for SIDS and LDCs. This includes at least doubling of adaptation finance, and ensuring access to grant-based and concessional climate finance that is adequate, new, additional, timely, predictable, and effective. We also emphasize the importance of interoperable fiduciary requirements across climate funds, increasing their flows, and reducing barriers to access, and supporting direct access in developing countries.

We look forward to engaging in the discussion and the Member States of the G77 and China will enter into further detail.

Thank you.