GROUP OF 77
NAIROBI

Statement by H.E. Mrs. Bibiana L. Jones, Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to the Republic of Kenya, and Permanent Representative to UNEP, UN-HABITAT and UNON, Chairperson of the Group of 77 and China, Nairobi Chapter, at the Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives to the United Nations Environment Programme Second Meeting (UNON, Nairobi, 19 February 2016)

Madam Chair,
Executive Director of UNEP,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,

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

Throughout this week, our delegations and those of other Member States, have participated actively in the deliberations and discussions under various agenda items of the Open Ended CPR 2 meeting. In particular, we welcome the presentation made by the Executive Director on the Concept Note on "Delivering on the Environmental Dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development". We also wish to stress the positive engagement of our delegations in the consideration of the Draft Resolutions, the Outcome and Structure of the High Level Segment, the Draft Medium Term Strategy for 2018-2021 and Programme of Work and Budget 2018-2019. We take note of the Summary presented by the President of UNEA on "Stakeholders engagement policy" which will be submitted for consideration of Member States.

Our Delegations have fully expressed the views of all our governments on these matters during this meeting and we trust that UNEP's Secretariat will take them into account in the intersessional period leading to UNEA 2.

Regarding Draft Resolutions, the Group of 77 and China considers that there is a proliferation of documents, and in this regard we believe that efforts could be made towards merging them, when possible, and making them more effective and less repetitive.

The group would like to stress that every Member State has the right to voice their position and that their inputs should be accepted in good manner and respect, and not taken as an obstructive attitude, but as a means towards enriching the debates in a democratic and fair atmosphere. It should also be noted that during UNEA 2 the entire package of resolutions will still be under consideration and that Member States will have to engage positively and in good faith during the conference and in the intersessional period with the aim of reaching consensus.

It is of paramount importance that documentation be distributed in its translated version at an early stage, in order to allow all Delegations to be well prepared for UNEA 2. Likewise, we would like to reiterate the difficulties of small Delegations to be able to participate in more than two paralel sessions.

Regarding the outcome of the High Level Segment, this is still under consideration by Member States and Regional Groups. At the same time, it is well noted that the outcome should be concise and should outline the political guidance given by the Ministers in relation to the implementation of the Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development, while stressing the importance of promoting an integrated and balanced approach of the three dimensions of Sustainable Development, highlighting the significance of the Rio Principles in particular that of common but differenciated responsibilities and the importance of formulating adequate means of implementation.

The Group of 77 and China would like to congratulate the Secretariat of UNEP for the well organized week of work and to reaffim the Group's readiness to engage constructively to ensure a successful UNEA 2.

I thank you, Madam Chair.