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 133rd meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNON, Nairobi, 19 February 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 wish you a fruitful and productive year of work. The Group of 77 and China would also like to express its engagement in all the deliberations and consultations that will take place under the preparatory process towards UNEA II.

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. We closely followed the briefing on the outcomes of the Paris Climate Change Conference and their implications for the work of UNEP. In this regard, we welcome the COP21 outcome and celebrate its comprehensive and ambitious nature, looking forward to strengthening the multilateral rules-based system and addressing all the elements mandated by the Durban decision, as well as loss and damage and response measures in a balanced manner.

Furthermore, our group wishes to stress the importance of UNEP as the most relevant international forum on environmental matters and also the significance of its work in light of the current global context.

We firmly believe it is of paramount importance to formulate adequate means of implementation for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, considering different national capacities, circumstances and levels of development. In the same vein, developing countries should be supported by an enabling international environment that should be achieved by revitalizing the Global Partnership as a means for Developing Countries to meet their sustainable development aspirations.

Madam Chairperson,

The Group of 77 and China also followed closely and engaged positively on the preparation process for UNEA II. In this regard, we highly appreciate the efforts made by the Secretariat and member states regarding the presentation of documents and draft resolutions in due time. We emphasize on the need for these consultations to be inclusive, transparent and wary of the views of all member states. We very much appreciate the informal meeting of the Working Group on the Outcome of the High Level Segment of UNEA II which you so skilfully chaired, which albeit not a negotiating instance, gave parties the opportunity of a first approach and chance to express initial views.

We would also like to stress the fact that all UNEA II resolutions, as well as the outcome documents of the High Level Segment, should be concise, inclusive and respectful of the original mandate given to UNEP. Both, resolutions and outcome, must consider the three dimensions of sustainable development, social, economic and environmental in a balanced approach, highlighting the significance of the RIO principles, in particular, common but differentiated responsibilities. We look forward to reaching an agreement on the amendment of the Rules of Procedure for UNEA II and the adoption of the "Stakeholders Engagement Policy", always bearing in mind the inter-governmental nature of the organisation and the interests of all member states.

Our group wishes to reaffirm its commitment to an effective and inclusive participation of all parties of UNEA II. That said, we reiterate the importance of providing financial support for delegates from developing and least developed countries to participate in the Open Ended CPR II and UNEA II.

Madam Chairperson, delegates and representatives,

The Group of 77 and China finally wishes to welcome all possible inputs done by the parties and hopes for the development of helpful outcomes towards the successful implementation of the environmental dimension of the 2030 Development Agenda.