Excellencies,
Distinguished representatives
Ladies and gentlemen

1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China in the Opening Plenary of the 38th Session of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific and Technological Advice.

2. The Group is ready to engage meaningfully with all members, you are assured of our support Mr. Chairman.

3. These are the views of the Group in relation to following agenda items under SBSTA.

4. On Agenda Item 3, the Group of 77 and China underscore the need that the Nairobi Work Programme should promote concrete adaptation actions on the ground across different communities and eco-systems. It should move beyond just partnership and help facilitate enhanced implementation of adaptation activities.

5. In relation to Agenda Item 4 and 5, about reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation the Group is of the view that we have before us a quite comprehensive and heavy agenda. Besides the methodological discussions under SBSTA [agenda item 4], our work this year includes a joint SBSTA-SBI process on coordination of support and institutional arrangements [agenda item 5], as well as a work programme under the COP on financing and results-based payments.

6. The Group would like to highlight that all these items are closely interlinked and should advance together. Their consideration requires therefore a balanced approach negotiating agenda items 4 and 5 in a contact group setting. We are confident that this approach will allow us to move forward in pending issues, in particular financing of all phases of the activities referred to in para. 70 of decision 1/CP.16. Also, we must ensure that all policy approaches regarding deforestation and forest degradation must be considered, including joint mitigation and adaptation approaches that are attempted to address climate change in an integrated and holistic manner.

Mr. Chairman,

7. On Agenda Item 6, the G77 and China took note of the first meeting of the Advisory Board of the Climate Technology Center and Network and the ongoing efforts to set the modalities and procedures of CTCN and its Advisory Board. In order to fully implement the Technology Mechanism to enhance the action of technology development and transfer, we believe it is of crucial importance to ensure coordination between the two bodies of Technology Mechanism, the Technology Executive Committee and the CTCN. We look forward to the tangible development and transfer of technologies to developing countries for climate change.

Mr. Chairman,

8. On Agenda Item 7, Research and Systematic observation, the G77 and China would like to express its support for the research dialogue and its Objectives. This forum continues to provide an opportunity for the scientific community to communicate up-to-date scientific knowledge on climate change to policymakers, and the policymakers in turn provide feedback to the research community on areas that may require further research.

9. However, the forum alone however is far from fulfilling the obligations under Article 5 of the Convention and subsequent COP decisions. Financing for the conducting the necessary research and assessment, and data collection is sadly inadequate. Facilitated access, including through financing of the technology is not forthcoming. More than just an exchange of information, what is necessary is to meet the needs of developing countries and to cooperate in the improvement of their endogenous capacities and capabilities for them to participate in international efforts to strengthen systematic observation and national and scientific and technical research.
Concrete action and effective financing are now necessary in the light of the increasing intensity of extreme weather events.

10. The Group of 77 and China also recognizes the important role of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in undertaking regular assessments of published scientific information on climate change and of preparing special reports, and in communicating this information to the Convention. We look forward to hearing from the IPCC on its progress and plans pertaining to the Fifth Assessment Report. The SBSTA provides the link between the findings of the IPCC and the policy recommendations for the necessary measures to be undertaken to address climate change, through an assessment of the IPCCC findings. There must be balance of views reflected in the IPCC reports so as to make these relevant to the needs of the Convention.

11. The IPCC fourth assessment report informed us that climate change is interlinked with sustainable development in a wide variety of ways. It is well established that climate responses require both mitigation and adaptation. For a long time, emphasis has been on mitigation and all aspects of mitigation implementation have been widely explored. In contrast, adaptation has received less attention and support. Adaptation is the priority for many developing countries and is more and more necessary for them in the light of recent climate-related extreme weather events. The SBSTA must therefore request the IPCCC to undertake an integrated and comprehensive approach to dealing with climate change, as fragmentation of responses have so far not proven helpful and reinforced the erroneous perception that mitigation and adaptation are separate options. The reality and concrete experience show that they are two faces of the same coin. They go hand in hand and should be approached in an integrated manner.

12. We, as policy makers, need to have a better understanding of adaptation responses and options in the face of the different levels of mitigation now being undertaken. The IPCC is in the best position to provide us with this crucial scientific and technical information.

Mr. Chairman,

13. On Agenda Item 8, Response Measures, the G77 and China looks forward to continuing engaging constructively in the forum on the impact of the implementation of response measures at the Subsidiary Bodies and its work program to address these impacts. In particular, we welcome the activities that will take place in these sessions in the areas of the work program related to the assessment of impacts; the just transition of the workforce; economic diversification; and modeling. In addition, as mandated by decision 1. CP.18, we also look forward to sharing views in the forum on policy issues of concern, such as unilateral measures.

14. In this respect, we attach great importance to this issue as all developing countries will be affected by economic and social consequences of response measures taken by developed countries. Therefore, there is a need to take full consideration on the specific needs and concerns of developing countries arising from the impact of the implementation of response measures, in accordance with the provisions and principles of the Convention".

Mr. Chairman,

15. Under this Agenda Item 10a, Methodological issues under the Convention, reference is made to the revision of the review guidelines for inventories, biennial reports and national communications. The main area of discussion during 2012 was when the guidelines would be reviewed. It was agreed by all Parties that biennial report and national communication review guidelines would be concluded in a work programme ending at COP 19. Work on revising the GHG inventory guidelines would however only begin in 2014 and conclude at COP 20 so as to coincide with the piloting of Annex 1 GHG inventory guidelines taking place in the same year.

16. As a Group, we also agreed to one workshop for each work programme with the possibility for additional workshops if required by Parties. Overall, the Group's main concern is to ensure that biennial report review guidelines are in place before submission of the first biennial reports by Annex 1 parties on January 2014. With the current work programme, this will be concluded by COP 19, in time for the first biennial report submission. Therefore, we urge all Parties to work together so that we achieve these important timelines. It is also necessary that after this scientific and technical work, the issue of the guidance is brought over to the Subsidiary of Implementation which has the main responsibility for the consideration of this information. In particular, it is necessary for the SBSTA to agree on a common tabular format for reporting information related to the implementation of the obligations of developed country Parties on the details of measures taken to implement Articles 4, sub-paragraph 3 on the provision of new and additional financial resources, sub-paragraph 4 on meeting costs of adaptation, and subparagraph 5 on access and transfer of technology, as required by Article 12.3. This information and format should be in such a form as to allow verification and measurement of this information, as well as comparability.

17. On item 10b, "General guidelines for domestic measurement, reporting, and verification of domestically-supported nationally appropriate mitigation actions by developing country Parties," the Group of 77 and China view that guidelines are voluntary and only apply for nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs) for which developing countries are provided with financial support and technology transfer to address mitigation, and not for mitigation using domestic resources.

18. Furthermore, the guidelines should not be more onerous than other general guidelines, such as those developed for international assessment and review and international consultation and analysis. The Group of 77 and China is of the view that it may be helpful to reflect on significant work already undertaken which can sharpen the focus of the work under these guidelines.
The work on this item would also benefit greatly from detailed information from developed country Parties on how they undertake the work of domestic MRV of their domestically-financed mitigation actions in all different sectors.

19. In relation to reporting, our view is that the guidelines for biennial update reports are detailed and agreed. (decision 1/CP.17, annex III). Measurement by its nature is done domestically, there are IPCC guidelines already being applied, and our Group is of the view that guidelines are not necessary in this respect. The international component of verification is covered by the general guidelines on international consultation and analysis (decision 1/CP.17, annex IV). Consequently, the focus of the general guidelines is on domestic verification, which is consistent with decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 66.

20. Having considered what is already agreed, the view of the G77 and China is that the guidelines could include elements that:
i. Build on existing domestic systems and capacity, including domestic data, methodologies, modeling (if any), experts and other aspects;
ii. Assists domestic experts in applying international best practice; e.g. 2006 IPCC GHG guidelines (or 1996)
iii. Recognize existing verification systems and applying national standards of verification, thereby enhancing cost-effectiveness
iv. Voluntary use of independent third-party verification at domestic level

Mr. Chairman,

21. On Item 11, LULUCF, the Group welcomes the opportunity to continue consideration here in Bonn of more comprehensive accounting of anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks from LULUCF. Discussions so far have indicated the need to achieve a common understanding of the meaning of comprehensiveness in this context.

22. The Group also finds it opportune, to continue the discussion on possible additional LULUCF activities under the CDM, which are presently limited to afforestation and reforestation; and on alternative approaches to addressing the risk of non-permanence under the CDM. We are confident that this session will stimulate more focused discussions to facilitate conclusions on these items at CMP 9.

Mr. Chairman,

23. Regarding Item 12, "Framework of various approaches, non-market mechanisms and new market mechanisms," the Group of 77 and China wishes to express the necessity for SBSTA to continue this discussion to help parties identify some important issues to develop and implement various approaches, including opportunities for using markets and non-markets, to enhance the cost effectiveness, and to promote mitigation actions, jointly with adaptation, bearing in mind different circumstances of developed and developing countries.

24. The three work programs that SBSTA is going to conduct in each issue should give parties the opportunity to continue clarifying the different views that are reflected in the submissions presented.

Mr. Chairman,

25. Finally, on Agenda Item 13, the 2013-2015 Review, the Group of 77 and China has the honour to inform you that we have endorsed the candidature of Professor ZOU Ji from China as co-facilitator of the expert dialogue of the 2013-2015 Review under the Convention representing non-Annex 1 Parties.

26. The Group of 77 and China reserves its position on other Agenda Items.

Thank you Mr. Chairman.