Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. Allow me at the outset to assure you of the support and cooperation of the Group to your work. We are certain that, under your leadership, we will be able to make progress in this important subsidiary body.

2. The Group of 77 and China is still concerned about the limited progress made in implementing activities under the Nairobi Work Programme on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change, and supports the improvement of the objectives, scope of work and modalities focused on the Nairobi Work Programme that contribute to enhancing the developing countries' ability to undertake practical adaptation actions, in a Party-driven manner.

3. We are convinced that in order to make the necessary progress, we need to have a timely support for an effective implementation of adaptation actions, and for the work that is being undertaken in the Climate Change negotiations at large.

Mr. Chairman,

4. We are aware that Cancun outcomes introduced new issues under the Subsidiary Body on Scientific and Technical Advice, as per Dec. 1CP/16, and, consequently, the SBSTA agenda has been enlarged. Some assignments to the SBSTA agenda following Cancun are clear enough, yet the new processes needing further political development therefore must be kept under the AWG-LCA sphere. In this sense, we believe that discussions on unresolved issues should continue in the AWG-LCA track, and not be transferred to other bodies, since that would not be in line with the Convention nor with the mandate given by Parties to the AWG-LCA, which was extended in Cancun. We further emphasize that the AWG-LCA must maintain an overview of the specific issues that were mandated to SBI through Decision 1CP/16, and that the progress made under SBI must feed into the comprehensive and balanced outcome of the AWG-LCA.

Mr. Chairman,

5. The Group urges international organizations to enhance the coordination of actions to avoid duplication of efforts and resources. Furthermore, we look forward for more country-driven interaction between Parties and those organizations.

Mr. Chairman,

6. We are fully aware of the time limitations and are ready, again, to engage constructively in discussions as soon as possible in order to make real substantive progress in this session. On the other hand, the Group of 77 and China is convinced that even with the best use of the time available to us, these sessions cannot be the last ones before convening in Durban, and there is a clear necessity for an additional session to be held in the Fall. In this regard, we expect to receive further clarity on the preparations under way and definitions of such meeting at the earliest possible time, and before we adjourn our work this session.

I thank you.