GROUP OF 77
NAIROBI

Statement by H.E. Mrs. Bibiana L. Jones, Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to the Republic of Kenya, and Permanent Representative to UNEP, UN-HABITAT and UNON, Chairperson of the Group of 77 and China, Nairobi Chapter, at the 134rd meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) (Nairobi, 3rd May 2016)

Madam Chairperson Distinguished delegates and colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,

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

First and foremost, we would like to thank the Chairperson of the CPR, for her leadership and the members of the Bureau for their hard work during the intersessional period. We also recognize the role of UNEP's Secretariat for its support to member states, the circulation and updating of working documents and briefings and the efficient organization of the "clusters" and informal meetings.

Member States of the G77 and China have actively participated in the preparatory process for UNEA 2. We would like to highlight the engagement of Member States in the deliberations during the intersessional period, all of which contribute to making a good progress towards the elaboration of draft resolutions and decisions. These resolutions should represent the views of all member states, face the emerging social, economic and environmental challenges in a balanced manner and be feasible for implementation.

We wish to welcome the comprehensive report delivered to the Committee by the Executive Director of UNEP, Dr Achim Steiner, and the report of the Subcommittee and by the Cluster Coordinators.

Madam Chairperson:

It is of paramount importance that documentation be distributed in its translated version at an early stage, in order to allow all Delegations to be well prepared for UNEA 2.

Regarding the structure of UNEA 2, the Group is of the view that it should be structured in a way that allows small delegations to be able to participate adequately in all the discussions.

The Group also welcomes informal consultations taking place until the beginning of the Assembly. The Group will constructively engage in them with the understanding that the current package of resolutions sent out to all capitals will not be altered till the beginning of the Assembly.

We would like to thank the Secretariat for the financial support provided in order to engage the participation of all Member States, in particular developing countries, in UNEA 2.

Regarding the High Level Segment, we would like to thank the revised draft version for the outcome presented by the Chair of the CPR and we also welcome the "key messages" submitted by Regional Groups and Member States. We stress that this is still a living document and that the outcome should be concise and outline the political guidance given by the Ministers in relation to the implementation of the Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development. It must be taken into account that the format of the outcome is still under consideration and that the Group will continue to engage in the discussions in a constructive spirit.

UNEA 2 will take place after the historic year of the adoption of major outcomes and international agreements. In this regard, the Group of 77 and China looks forward to participating in UNEA and continue engaging in the preparatory process actively and constructively.

Thank you for your attention.