Madam Chair,
Excellencies,
Dear Colleagues, good morning!

Madam Chair,

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

        The Group expresses its sincere appreciations to the Government of Denmark and the Climate Change Secretariat for the excellent arrangements made for this meeting.

Madam Chair,

        The G-77 and China notes the report on progress made in implementing the Nairobi Work Programme on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change. We also acknowledge the useful information contained in the technical paper on potential costs and benefits of adaptation action.

        The Group welcomes the action pledges from organizations and urges them to advance in the coordination of actions in light to avoid duplicity of efforts and resources. Furthermore, we look forward for more country-driven interaction between Parties and those organizations. Finally, we would like to highlight the importance of the programme as one source of relevant knowledge that should feed the ongoing work on adaptation under the AWG-LCA.

Madam Chair,

        The application and use of environmentally sound technologies continue to be the surest way that the global community will be able to address the problem of climate change in a carbon constrained world. In this light, the G-77 and China would like to express its appreciation to the EGTT for preparing the report on the performance indicators. The Group looks forward to considering the report which would guide Parties' work on assessing the delivery of technology development and transfer going forward.

Madam Chair,

The Group 77 and China looks for SBSTA to forward to the COP at this session a decision on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks, and acknowledges the need for capacity building and technology transfer to promote readiness for REDD.

Madam Chair,

For many developing countries reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation is directly linked, among others, with sustainable development, improved livelihood of local communities and indigenous peoples, and conservation of biodiversity. It is fundamental that COP defines the appropriate positive incentives and policy approaches for REDD plus, ensuring adequate and predictable funding for those developing countries that voluntarily decide to engage in this effort.

Madam Chair,

        The Group 77 and China welcomes the provisional update of the Implementation Plan and the new Essential Climate Variable as well as a number of new and revised implementation actions. We also welcome the provisional assessment of the additional annual cost for implementation and operation of a fully effective Global Climate Observing System. We also support the Third World Climate Conference statement which calls for "major strengthening of the Global Climate Observing System and all its components and associated activities" as one of the five essential elements of the proposed new Global Framework.

Madam Chair,

        High quality observations are the foundation on which successful management of climate change rests. If Parties live up to the commitments they have already made in COP decisions, observing systems could be greatly improved in the next 5 years.

Madam Chair,

        We understand that this SBSTA session will be short; however, we expect more efficient allocation of time and engagement in a constructive discussion with our partners to make real progress in all issues under the SBSTA.

        The Group reiterates its commitment to continue to support and engage constructively in all the discussions under the SBSTA in this session.

        I thank you.