Madam Chair, Excellencies, Distinguished representatives, Ladies and gentlemen,

1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. The Group wishes to express its full support towards a successful outcome to these negotiations.

2. The importance of SBSTA as the subsidiary body that provides scientific and technical advice to the COP cannot be emphasised enough. The work of SBSTA plays an important role in our understanding of the science of climate change, and in strengthening the implementation of the Convention and, therefore, has a direct bearing on the negotiations under the ADP.

Madam Chair,

3. The Group of 77 and China appreciates the progress made in SBSTA42 on a number of important areas, and with the same spirit we believe we can achieve more here in Paris.

4. The Group regards all issues on the SBSTA agenda as having the same priority and not only those draft texts that will be tabled by the Facilitators. All the agenda items are important and need to be concluded as soon as possible.

5. In this regard, the Group would like to reiterate the importance of the achievement reached at COP19 with the Warsaw Framework for REDD+, which has concluded most of the negotiations under this agenda item. Also, we appreciate the conclusion of the development of alternative policy approaches to results-based payments, such as joint mitigation and adaptation approaches for the integral and sustainable management of forests. We look forward to closing this agenda item at this session with the adoption of the three draft decisions agreed upon in Bonn last June. The G77 and China is ready and willing to move REDD+ and alternative policy approaches further into implementation, provided that adequate and predictable support is made available from developed countries.

6. The G77 and China welcomes the Report of the Adaptation Committee and the effort to make balanced progress in all its work areas. We take note of the future workplan of the Adaptation Committee, and look forward to discussing it in the Contact Group. The Group also welcomes the work completed related to means of implementation for adaptation and hopes that its outcome translate into something that can expedite support for developing countries. We are prepared to engage with partners in reviewing the recommendations to the COP contained in the report.

7. Regarding the important issues related to agriculture, which is the backbone of the socio-economic development of developing countries and has a special role for the livelihood of millions, food security and poverty eradication, the Group welcomes the reports on the workshops that took place in SBSTA42 and their findings on the importance of continuing to improve the understanding of the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture and exploring effective ways to increase its adaptive capacity to these effects, including through sharing of knowledge, experience and good practices. Adaptation continues to be the key priority for developing countries in light of the particular vulnerabilities of the agricultural sector and its relationship with the livelihood of millions, food security and poverty eradication. The Group looks forward to discussing the reports and to have a procedural conclusion, consistent with the mandated work agreed upon in SBSTA40.

8. The G77 and China welcomes the Report of the Executive Committee of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage associated with Climate Change Impacts. The work of the WIM on loss and damage under this Convention is of critical importance to the Group, and we take note of the adjustments relating to the terms of office of the members and Co-Chairs of the Executive Committee. In line with urgency of this matter, the G77 also notes the need for resources for the successful and timely implementation of the initial two-year workplan of the Executive Committee and urges developed country Parties to make available resources for this purpose in view of the ambitious nature of the workplan.

9. G77 and China notes the importance of global observation of the earth's atmosphere, ocean and land is essential for identifying climate variability and climate change, and for understanding their causes. We recognise that these observations serve other purposes, including weather and air quality forecasting, disaster risk reduction, water and food security, protection of biodiversity and ecosystems, and sustainable development. We look forward to progress here on this agenda item.

10. The Group appreciates the work of the Structured Expert Dialogue (SED) on the 2013-2015 Review of the adequacy of the long-term global goal. The Group expects that a thorough consideration will be made of the report in order for COP21 to take forward the work of the SED, as well as on linkages with work under the ADP. This work is important as it relates to ambition as well as requisite support, particularly to developing countries towards the realisation of the ultimate objective of the Convention.

11. On Response Measures, the G77 and China reaffirms the importance of giving full consideration to what actions are necessary to meet the specific needs and concerns of developing country Parties arising from the impact of the implementation of response measures, in accordance with the principles and provisions of the Convention. In this regard, we look forward to engaging constructively on the text of the draft decision forwarded from the 42nd session of the SBs in order to adopt a decision at COP21. The G77 and China position remains firm that the negative economic and social consequences of response measures taken by developed country Parties on developing country Parties must be avoided and minimised. Policy issues, such as unilateral measures, must also be addressed.

12. As for agenda item 10(a) on methodologies for reporting of financial information by Parties included in Annex I to the Convention, the actions taken to comply with obligations on the provision of financial resources, access and transfer of technology - and particularly on meeting the costs of adaptation - have to be reported by developed country Parties in a manner that is comparable and verifiable. This has not been the case in the twenty years since the entry into force of the Convention. Such lack of reporting is one of the most serious gaps in our implementation of the Convention. It is of utmost importance that progress be made on this item to ensure that the SBSTA fulfils its mandate as set out in decision 2/CP.17 and that COP21 takes a decision in this regard.

13. Regarding the issue of emissions from fuel used for international aviation and maritime transport, the G77 and China thanks the presentations and submissions made by ICAO and IMO on this agenda item. In this regard, the Group reiterates the importance of supporting multilateral solutions when addressing the issue of emissions from the international maritime and civil aviation sectors working through the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), respectively, while taking into account the principles and provisions of the Convention and not on the basis of unilateral measures.

14. In this sense, the Group is of the view that the secretariats of ICAO and IMO should continue to report, at future sessions of the SBSTA, on relevant work on this issue, and Parties presenting their views in this regard. Thus, the G77 and China supports to keep this matter under this agenda item under SBSTA, avoiding any attempts to include it in the ADP.

15. The Group has been working very hard to bring the item on methodological issues under the Kyoto Protocol to a conclusion. Any further obstacles to finalising the Kyoto Protocol's second commitment period must be dealt with during this session. This sub-item needs to be finalised so that Parties included Annex I can submit their initial and annual reports and that the review for 2015-2016 can start. This would allow the second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol to become effective. If progress is not made on this agenda item, it would not bode well for the 2015 Agreement in Paris.

In conclusion, Madam Chair,

16. We are looking forward to participating meaningfully in all mandated workshops that have been organised at this session and to a constructive engagement on all issues here in Paris.

I thank you.