open-ended informal consultation by the incoming presedency of COP17/CMP7 on the expectations of Parties for Durban

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY H.E. AMBASSADOR SILVIA MEREGA, HEAD OF DELEGATION OF ARGENTINA AND CHAIR OF G77 AND CHINA AT THE OPEN-ENDED INFORMAL CONSULTATION BY THE INCOMING PRESIDENCY OF COP17/CMP7 ON THE EXPECTATIONS OF PARTIES FOR DURBAN (Bonn, Germany, 11 June 2011)

Madame Chair,

1. On behalf of the Group of 77 and China, we congratulate you on the conveyance of this session.

Madame Chair,

2. Most of the regional Groups and Parties within G77 have already taken the floor, to provide their wisdom in favour of your future Presidency and next COP/MOP.

3. You have taken notice that all of them refer to a balance. Balance between the 2 tracks, LCA and KP. This is a common goal within the G77 and China.

4. The expected outcome under the LCA process is the full, effective and sustained implementation of the Convention, as per the Bali Action Plan, through long term cooperative action now, up to and beyond 2012.

5. In that sense the Cancun decision 1/CP.16 is to be operationalized.

6. The primary objective of the KP track is to reach a 2nd commitment period, in order to avoid any gap between the 1st and 2nd commitment periods.

Madame Chair,

7. The Group is ready to support one of its members, South Africa, in this venture. We appreciate the transparency with which your country interacts with all of us. Count on us, Madame, to work steadily in this session, the fall session and the Durban session.

I thank you.