Mr. Co-Chair,

1. In addition to the Group's views expressed in the morning session on item 5(a) "Key Features", I have the honour to deliver the following comments on behalf of the Group of 77 and China:

2. The Group of 77 and China stresses that the objective and scope of each cycle of the Regular Process is to develop the strategy and time table for the production of assessments in order to ensure that the assessments are relevant for the target audience. That is to say, that the Regular Process should maintain its relevance to developing countries by providing capacity building. It should not be limited to facilitating the process of capacity building but should provide actual added value. The duplication of efforts already existing will limit the scope of the Regular Process. The capacity building is not only the implementation of the Convention but includes the elements of transfer of technology.

3. Beyond the convenience of an inventory of the opportunities for capacity building, the Group is reiterating the essential need for cooperation, including through capacity building and transfer of marine technology, to ensure that all States, especially developing countries, in particular the least developed countries and small island developing States, as well as coastal African States, are able both to implement the Convention and to benefit from the sustainable development of the oceans and seas, as well as to participate fully in global and regional forums and processes dealing with oceans and law of the sea issues.

Mr. Co-Chair,

4. The G77 stresses the aim and objective of part XIV of the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea which requires that States shall promote the development of the marine scientific and technological capacity of States which may need and request technical assistance in this field, particularly developing States, including land-locked and geographically disadvantaged States, with regard to the exploration, exploitation, conservation and management of marine resources, the protection and preservation of the marine environment, marine scientific research and other activities in the marine environment compatible with the Convention, with a view to accelerating the social and economic development of the developing States.

5. In the same context, Chapter 34 of Agenda 21 stresses the importance of transfer of environmentally sound technologies, cooperation and capacity building. In the same line, article 202 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea recognizes the need for scientific, educational, technical and other assistance to developing States, including training, infrastructure and equipment support.

Thank you.