Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

2. At the outset, allow me to say that, under your able leadership and guidance, we found this session to be very effective and fruitful. It allowed parties, particularly G77 and China member countries, to be engaged constructively in discussions in order to achieve real progress on different issues under this Subsidiary Body. In this context, Mr. Chairman, the Group of 77 and China assures you that it will similarly continue to engage in future sessions.
 
Mr. Chairman,

3. The Group of 77 and China notes the progress made under the Nairobi Work Program (NWP) on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change during this session. The review of the program is an important step forward in order to identify the positive outcomes and the shortfalls of the implementation of the NWP as a way to build upon lessons learned on the relevant matter of adaptation.

4. Although we recognize the added value of the NWP in catalyzing the work of the organizations dealing with adaptation at the international level, we want to highlight that less progress have been made in fulfilling its objectives of assisting developing country Parties in taking informed decisions on adaptation. The agreed interim activities from now to SBSTA 35, especially the survey on dissemination and the joint SBSTA/ SBI in- session workshop, should begin to address this shortfall.

Mr. Chairman,

5. As the conversations for a second phase begin in the next session, it is of upmost importance to address the needs for a more action-oriented Program and also to explore ways to strengthen the linkages between the Program and the SBI.

6. We look forward to engage in a positive way in order to enhance the work done under SBSTA with regard to adaptation and how this contributes -with the overall framework on adaptation- to assist developing countries to adapt to climate change. In this regard, 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 under this Subsidiary Body at large.

Mr. Chairman,

7. The Group of 77 and China welcomes the draft conclusions on Agenda Item 6 on Research and Systematic Observation. The workshop and dialogue provided Parties with the opportunity to interact with the scientific community and acknowledge the value of their climate change research activities around the world and, in particular, in developing countries. We emphasize that the research results must be shared with all sectors of the public, especially in developing countries.

8. The importance of observation to support research and monitor the impacts of climate change was highlighted as well as the need to support ground-based observation networks. We urge the Secretariat to organize further workshops and dialogues as they are important mechanisms which can inform our process and request our partners to provide the necessary resources to support these initiatives.

Mr. Chairman,

9. The G77 and China welcomes the forum on the impact of the implementation of response measures and its special event convened by the Chairs of the SBI and SBSTA at this session under paragraph 93 of 1.CP/16, to be continued at the thirty-fifth session of the subsidiary bodies, with the objective of developing a work programme under the subsidiary bodies to address these impacts, and with a view to adopting, at the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties, modalities for the operationalization of the work programme and a possible forum on response measures.

Mr. Chairman,

10. The Group reiterates that international organizations need 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,

11. In our road to Durban, we would like to reassure you of our commitment to make concrete progress in order to achieve the main goal and objectives of this Convention and its Kyoto Protocol.

I thank you.