Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. Allow me first to express our sincere appreciations to the Government of Germany for hosting this meeting, and for the Convention's Secretariat for the excellent arrangements.

Mr. Chairman,

As stated in the previous session, the Group of 77 and China reiterates its serious concern with respect to the extremely slow progress of the AWG-KP in completing the essential tasks of its work programme. The primary objective of the last session of the AWG-KP was to adopt conclusions on the scale of emissions reduction for Annex I Parties in aggregate. However, this work has been transferred to this session, and should be our focus now.

The Group is concerned about the accelerated, critical climate change impacts and threats to the integrity of the entire system, unless, quick and timely response measures are taken to prevent and/or avoid harm to the planet by reducing the anthropogenic emissions. In this vein, climatic catastrophes that are destroying the infrastructures of many countries, particularly developing countries are not accidental. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the international community, bearing on mind historic responsibility, to come to the aid of affected countries.

The Group reaffirms the fundamental principle that developed countries shall take the lead in combating climate change, bearing in mind their historical responsibility. The establishment of ambitious quantified emission reduction commitments for the 2nd commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol, that must start in 2013, is one of the most important actions to demonstrate the positive response of the Annex I parties and their supporting partnership.

The Group notes that there is only one year left before the end of the first commitment period of Kyoto protocol. To avoid any gap between the first and second commitment periods, it is essential, therefore, for the AWG-KP to focus discussions on specifying the contribution of Annex I Parties, individually or jointly, to the scale of emission reductions to be achieved by Annex I Parties in aggregate.

Mr. Chairman,
        
The Group considers the continuity of the Kyoto Protocol as an essential element for the future of the climate change regime. The definition of new quantified emission reduction commitments for Annex I parties under the KP is a legal obligation that must be met. It is a cornerstone of the Cancún outcome as a whole.

We are pleased that at this session, as at our last session, the focus of our work will be on the numbers. Time is short and it is now more urgent than ever that we progress as quickly as possible to quantified emission limitation and reduction commitments for Annex I Parties. Failure to do so would send a negative signal regarding the readiness of Annex I parties to take forward their legal obligations under the Protocol, and their readiness to contribute to a strong climate change regime.

As we seek to strengthen the global effort in climate change, the insufficient level of ambition expressed in the current mitigation pledges of Annex I parties is of great concern to the members of the G77 and China, and an obstacle that must be overcome.

Finally, Mr. Chairman,

The Group would continue to support you and is committed to constructive and transparent negotiations in this session in order to ensure that the AWG-KP delivers the results of its work pursuant to decision 1/CMP.1 for adoption by the CMP at its sixth session.

I thank you.