Ad hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY H.E. AMBASSADOR ABDULLAH M. ALSAIDI, HEAD OF DELEGATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF YEMEN, AT THE CLOSING PLENARY OF THE ELEVENTH SESSION OF THE AD HOC WORKING GROUP ON LONG-TERM COOPERATIVE ACTION UNDER THE UN FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE (UNFCCC) (Bonn, Germany, 6 August 2010)

Madam Chairperson,

1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

2. In our opening statement, the Group of 77 and China argued for the importance of the change in the methodology of work and emphasized the urgent need to immediately engage in party-driven negotiations on the basis of your text dated 9 July 2010. We, therefore, thank you, Madam, for guiding our work so far in this respect. It is vitally important, however, to continue our work in a negotiating mode if we are to achieve the desired outcome in Cancun.

3. The Group of 77 and Chine stresses the fact that an outcome to be obtained from party-driven negotiations is an outcome that will not be contested. All of us, including our partners, must bear this in mind! We are equally of the conviction that a plethora of initiatives, seemingly meant to enhance the negotiations, is a tactic that is inconsistent with the aim of the UNFCCC. The urgency of the climatic situation dictates that we move expeditiously to contain an ever-growing menace that will overwhelm us all.

Madam Chairperson,

4. It is incumbent upon all of us, parties to the Convention, to act and fulfill the mandate of the process we launched in Bali, "to enable the full, effective and sustained implementation of the Convention through long-term cooperative action, now, up to and beyond 2012". This would be consummated by adhering to the provisions and principles of the Convention, in particular the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

5. The Group of 77 and China, once again, reaffirms the centrality of the UNFCCC in addressing Climate Change, and stresses the fact that our work process must be open, party-driven and transparent. The Group also reiterates its call for allowing sufficient time for its internal coordination meetings prior to all upcoming sessions.

6. We would like to reconfirm our understanding that the text, as worked on during this week's negotiations, will be sacrosanct until the parties recommence negotiations in China in October. The Group of 77 and China will diligently work toward reaching an agreement to address the global climatic change. We obviously expect no less from our partners.

7. Allow me, in conclusion, Madam Chairperson, to assure you of our full support. The Group of 77 and China is confident in your leadership and looks forward to constructively engage in the coming sessions. We are approaching Cancun full of hope and desire to achieve a concrete, comprehensive and equitable outcome that serves the interests of humanity.

I thank you.