Mr. Chairman,

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

2. At the outset, allow me to reiterate our deepest condolences on the sudden passing of Mr. Mama Konaté, the former SBSTA Chair. Our hearts go to his family and friends on this sad time. Led by the example given by Mr. Konaté, one of our most active, dedicated and prominent leaders in climate change, who we are very proud to say was also one of the members of G77, let us continue together our work against climate change.

Mr. Chairman

3. Let me congratulate you on your election as Chair of this important Subsidiary Body and for stepping out to this important task in such circumstances. The Group of 77 and China assures you that we will support your work in a proactive and constructive manner and we will continue to redouble our efforts to ensure that this session of SBSTA be a fruitful and productive one.

Mr. Chairman,

4. We welcome the negotiations for a second phase for Nairobi Work Programme and the indicative list of activities that were forwarded by SBSTA 34 for our consideration.

5. The G77 looks forward to the joint session of the SBI and SBSTA under the Nairobi Work Programme on Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change with a view to advancing the implementation of adaptation measures urgently needed in developing countries, with further activities under a more action-oriented work programme.

Mr. Chairman,

6. The G77 and China acknowledges the work done by the Technology Executive Committee in its first and only meeting so far. We expect next year the TEC can meet as often as necessary and have enough time and resources to develop and implement a program of work that fulfils its functions as were adopted by the COP in Cancun, last year.

7. The importance of observation to support research and to monitor the impacts of climate change and the need to support ground-observation networks could not be emphasized more. As a following up to the workshop held in SBSTA 34, we urge our Partners to provide the necessary resources to support these activities. We also would like to request the Secretariat to organize further workshops and dialogues, as they are especially important to inform our process and to raise awareness on climate change and its impacts, beyond the scientific community, to the general public, thus disseminating the results of research activities.

Mr. Chairman,

8. The G77 and China looks forward to engaging constructively in the forum on the impact of the implementation of response measures at the Subsidiary Bodies, with the objective of developing a work programme under the SBSTA and the SBI to address these impacts, and to adopt at the 17th COP modalities for the operationalization of the work programme and a forum on response measures. Even if there is a need to make progress in the SBs in this matter specifically related to Paragraph 93 of 1. CP/16, it is important to note that there is also a mandate to continuing discussions in the AWG-LCA on all the elements of economic and social consequences of response measures, in order to establish the political parameters that are required to meet the specific needs and concerns of developing countries in relation to this issue.

9. On the role of international organizations, we believe that it is important for them to enhance coordination to avoid duplication of efforts and resources, and to interact more with Parties in order to implement more country-driven approaches.

Finally, Mr. Chairman,

10. I would like to reiterate the full commitment of the G77 and China to continue working to achieve concrete results during this session of SBSTA.

I thank you.