Mr. Chairman,

As we approach Copenhagen, the Group reiterates its standing position that the negotiations under AWG-LCA must be and continue to be in an open, party-driven, transparent, and inclusive process.  We would like to request you and the secretariat to ensure a full and effective participation by developing countries in all the negotiations under Bali Action Plan.

At this critical stage before Copenhagen, the G77 and China would also like to reaffirm its strong position that the UNFCCC process is the sole legitimate forum of these negotiations, and denounce all means that would place the determination of the agreed outcome in Copenhagen in the hands of a few countries, be this at the highest political level.  It is time to call upon those developed countries to stop such  attempts that will only obstruct the efforts to reach a balanced ambitious and comprehensive outcome Copenhagen.

We are seriously concerned with attempts to take the negotiations outside of the ambit of this Convention, and to prejudge and undermine the process undertaken under the only legitimate legally-binding Convention addressing the grave challenge of climate change.

The Group 77 and China is concerned over attempts to diminish the level of ambition of the outcome of Copenhagen. We deplore the slow progress made at this session, despite the continued efforts of the Group to engage fully and constructively, and in good faith, in substantive negotiations leading to an equitable, fair, just and ambitious outcome in Copenhagen, in accordance with Bali Action Plan. We would like to confirm our understanding that the work done in Barcelona  will be carried as it stands to the eighth session of the AWGLCA.  

The Group 77 and China remains firm on its position on the two parallel  tracks of negotiations in this process without exporting vital parts of one, the Kyoto Protocol, into the other, the Convention, weakening the principles and obligations of the Convention, in particular the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and in the process, denying historical responsibilities.

The Group 77 and China sees an outcome that should include a strong agreement on ambitious reduction targets by developed countries that are not parties to the Kyoto Protocol and on the delivery of means of implementation. The group sees  an effective financial mechanism under the authority of the Conference of the Parties to implement commitments related to the provision of financial resources; an effective mechanism for development and transfer of technology; and an institutional arrangement to deliver finance for the implementation of adaptation actions.

We see so far very little engagement on the part of our negotiating partners to move forward.  Instead, we find very active engagement outside this process, undermining the negotiations, and dampening expectations for the outcome in Copenhagen.

The Group has worked very hard to move forward here in Barcelona, and would like to assure you that we will continue to do so in Copenhagen.