Mr. Chairman,
Distinguished Delegates,

1. On behalf of the Group 77 and China, let me congratulate you on your election as Chairman of this session. I also extend my Group's congratulations to the other Members of the Bureau.

Mr. Chairman,

2. Chemicals are of great importance to the industrial and agricultural sectors of developing countries because of their relevance in industrial production processes and also as input to agriculture production in form of fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides. It is an important area for developing countries now industrializing and those concentrating in agricultural green revolution. Developing countries also have raw materials which are used to compose chemicals or through catalytic role in converting one chemical product to another. Developing countries will continue to promote investment and harness this area of specialty in order to achieve sustainable production and consumption.

3. There is no doubt that this area of specialty of chemicals is complex and requires know-how and technology transfer for production and for mitigation of its environmental impact. G77 and China believe that all these aspects are evident in developed countries and there should be a way to facilitate transfer of both know-how and technology.

Mr. Chairman,

4. The problem of dumping of chemicals and radioactive products in developing countries is a matter of great concern to the G77 and China. Recently, there have been reports that companies through trade routes and agreements are illegally dumping these products in developing countries and hence threatening health and biodiversity. G77 and China strongly condemn these acts of dumping since it is threatening biodiversity and livelihood in developing countries.

Mr. Chairman,

5. G77 and China would wish to address the private sector role in the thematic subject of Chemicals. It is a matter of great concern that some investors use all means possible to avoid local regulatory systems which demand inclusion of recycling of byproducts of chemical plants in their investment hence causing dangerous pollution in developing countries. It is also apparent that due to weakness of regulatory and enforcement regimes in developing countries, companies have avoided application of green technology in their investments. G77 and China believe that businesses should adhere to corporate responsibility in the country of operation.

Mr. Chairman,

6. While the area of chemicals is now an area of matured technology and know-how, G77 and China implore developed countries to consider relaxation of intellectual property rights in some of innovations in order to ensure effective environmentally-friendly industrialization in developing countries.

I thank you Mr. Chairman.