Madam Chairperson,

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

2. Allow me at the outset to express appreciations to the Government and people of China for their hospitality and for hosting this session in this beautiful city. Our thanks also go to the Convention's Secretariat for their excellent arrangements.

3. Climate change is a global phenomenon that threatens not only our societies' developmental prospects but also their very existence; it is, indeed, one of the most serious challenges of our times for it is not merely an issue of environment or development but also an issue of survival-a matter of life and death for many of us. As we speak this morning, many people, in Pakistan and other parts of the world, are suffering from its adverse effects which-if remain unaddressed-will result in greater deprivation.

4. It is, therefore, incumbent upon us to address this universal menace within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This would only be consummated, however, by adhering to the provisions and principles of the Convention, in particular the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities, respective capabilities and the precautionary principle.

Madam Chairperson,

5. In our last meeting, we stressed the fact that time is running short and that the need to progress is more urgent than ever. With only six days of negotiating time left before the sixteenth Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Cancun later this year, and conscious of the fact that our process of work must be party-driven, the Group of 77 and China once again stands ready to immediately and fully engage in the process of negotiations, based on the negotiation text that emanated from our last meeting in Bonn. We simply can't afford to lose more time!

6. If we are to make progress in our negotiations, we have to make sure that our work is based on the principles and provisions of the Convention and the Bali Action Plan. In this regard, ideas and proposals that are inconsistent with the principles and provisions of the Convention and the Bali Action Plan such as the re-classification of countries or differentiation amongst developing countries will impede the process. The Group of 77 and China believes that such proposals do not advance our work and could in fact be counterproductive.

Madam Chairperson,

7. With respect to your proposal regarding "presenting a balanced set of draft decisions to the COP for adoption at its sixteenth session", let me state that the G77 and China is looking for a comprehensive set of decisions at Cancun. This Group could agree, in principle, with the idea of a balanced set of decisions provided the following is respected:

First: We should proceed with the negotiations, and then determine what elements might be ripe to be included in this package.

Second: The decisions, to be adopted in Cancun, must be in concordance with the Bali Action plan, covering all its elements;

Third: The balance between the two negotiating tracks, i.e. AWG-LCA and AWG-KP, is respected and the balance in decisions within each track is maintained;

Fourth: These decisions should not compromise the overall objective of a comprehensive and ambitious and legally binding outcome.

Madam Chairperson,

8. The Group of 77 and China reaffirms the centrality of the UNFCCC in addressing climate change, and once again stresses that our process of work must be open, party-driven, inclusive and transparent.

9. In conclusion, allow me to assure you of our full support and continued active and constructive engagement in this process. We are confident that, under your leadership and guidance, we will indeed attain an outcome that will make Cancun a success.

I thank you.