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 Chapter in Nairobi, at the 135th Committee of Permanent Representatives to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNON, Nairobi, 14 June 2016)

Madam Chairperson,
Executive Director,
Distinguished Delegates,

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

We would like thank the Executive Director for his work and leadership in UNEP. As a result of your commitment along these 10 years, UNEP became the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda and the voice on the topic within the United Nations system. UNEA 1 and UNEA 2 attest to this achievement.

We wish you every success in your new endeavouos and look forward to your continued advice and expertise.

Madam Chairperson,

The Group welcomes this opportunity for a first evaluation of UNEA 2, to share views regarding the way forward to UNEA 3 and to set a road map for CPR members, and between them and UNEP's Secretariat, in order to face the forthcoming challenges.

UNEA 2 left a significant number of positive experiences and results:

- It was a success in terms of participation and in the way social, economic and environmental matter where dealt with throughout the 25 approved resolutions.

- The Group wishes to highlight that the 25 resolutions were the result of delegations hard work and flexibility to reach consensus in order to find a universal approach to shared challenges.

- There was an outstanding participation of Ministers and High Level Authorities, colleagues from our capitals, Representatives of UN Agencies and of the private sector and civil society enhanced the debates and helped to position UNEA as the truly universal environmental forum.

- Side events were also well prepared, educational and provided a good environment to create interlinkages among the participants.

- The online and phone application was of great value and help during the whole week. This innovative tool should be used in the next UNEAs.

At the same time, UNEA 2 in many other aspects should serve as a lesson for the future:

- Regarding the organization, we are of the view that there is room for improvement. The number of parallel formal and informal working groups, including the Friends of the Chair, did not allow small delegations to fully participate in all the deliberations. The procedure to select the Chairs of Groups and Committees should be revised in order to guarantee transparency and a balanced representation of all regions.

- There should be a better communication and convergence of work between CPR Bureau and UNEA Bureau.

- The work done during the intersessional period should be taken into consideration. This especially applies to the deliberation, on the outcome of the High Level Segment. The Group wishes to stress its full involvement during the negotiations of the outcome and its constructive spirit in order to achieve consensus. UNEA 3 must have a global call to action to address the critical environmental challenges facing the world today. We should learn from UNEA 2 experience.

- The Group considers there should be legal advice and a clear understanding of rules of procedure in order to avoid ambiguity and free interpretations. In this sense, the Group firmly believes that UNEP´s Secretariat should guide Member States in the implementation of the rules as well as make sure that everything is done in accordance with them.

- Clarity on respective mandates of Secretariat, Bureau, Chairs, etc. must be ensured.

- We also believe that effort should be made in order to guarantee the distribution of working and final documents to all Member State in due time with their corresponding translation.

- We would also like to highlight the efforts made by all Member States of the Group of 77 and China in pursuance of reaching consensus regarding draft resolution: "Field based environment assessment of the Gaza strip".

Madam Chairperson,

This is the moment to revitalize our commitment to work together in a constructive spirit and learn from past experiences. This is the only way we are going to be able to implement 25 resolutions, develop a follow-up process and prepare a successful UNEA 3. Rest assured of the full support of our Group for the work in the incoming period.

Thank you for your attention.