"Even if a decision seems elusive at this point in the negotiations, Durban can still be a key positive step. We need to find an agreement on the next steps. And the Group of 77 and China needs assurances that the principles of the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol will not be set aside".

On Thursday 8, as negotiations intensify and move towards the end-line in Durban, informal contacts intensify, searching for basic common ground on the future of the climate change multilateral system.

"Even if a decision seems elusive at this point in the negotiations, Durban can still be a key positive step. We need to find an agreement on the next steps. And the Group of 77 and China needs assurances that the principles of the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol will not be set aside".

"We have witnessed several attempts to change the rules of the game in an unbalanced manner that many see as unfair. Any evolution of this multilateral system needs to be transparently agreed as a whole, patches and add-ons will only make our work more difficult. There are actually very few ways that really lead to the stabilization of the climate system, and as time passes those open windows narrow further down", added Silvia Merega, Chair of G77 and China at the Climate Summit.

The Group of 77 and China maintains that the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities must continue to underlie the climate change multilateral system. "Developed countries must do their part. It is not a question of simply moving countries from one list to another based on arbitrary criteria - we can only have a fruitful discussion on the basis of equity and fairness", said the Chair of G77 and China. "We acknowledge that there are some voices calling for a debate, and perhaps we will need to have it, but more dialogue and clarity of ideas is needed."

The Group of 77 and China calls on rich countries to engage in the discussion they themselves undertook to have - on financing, on technology transfer, on reduction targets. "We acknowledge that there are internal national demands and constraints, but political resolve is still needed from developed countries to take the lead in this process in accordance with their international obligations".

The operationalization of the Green Climate Fund is considered key to moving forward. Agreement is very close on workable governance mechanisms, with transparency and check and balances. Conversations have been quite positive, but we still need to know the sources of the funds. To have an added value, the Fund needs to be capitalized in a predictable and sustained manner. "We can hardly consider that our work regarding the GCF is done, if we allow the Fund to become an empty shell or to used to simply "re-label" existing funds to make them look like more resources."

The Group of 77 and China has made its political will to contribute to the fight against climate change evident in the negotiations on mitigation, in the LCA track, assuming its responsibilities under the Convention and advancing on MRV and ICA.