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. First of all, I would like to commend you for the efforts you have made during this session to advance the important work on the agenda of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA).

2. On the response measures, the G77 and China position remains firm that the negative economic and social impacts of the implementation 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. In this regard, the G77 and China engaged constructively during these sessions to agree on the draft decision forwarded from the 42nd sessions of the subsidiary bodies, and we still look forward to the adoption of a decision by COP21 on this issue of utmost importance to developing countries.

3. Regarding agriculture, the Group welcomes progress made during this session and looks forward to further engagements during the next SBSTA session. This item 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.

Madam Chair,

4. Under the SBSTA agenda items on methodological issues under the Kyoto Protocol, the G77 and China have worked constructively to generate the necessary clarifications on the rules. These rules are necessary to achieve a sustained and effective implementation of the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol in a manner that maintains the environmental integrity of the commitments agreed in Doha, and has shown extraordinary flexibility in the interests of implementation.

Madam Chair,

5. On the 2013-2015 Review, the Group wishes to register its disappointment on the lack of progress to reach consensus on this agenda item during this session despite the efforts by all Parties over the past three years and looks forward to further guidance from the COP on how best to find agreement on this matter going forward.

6. On the item that relates to emissions from fuel used for international aviation and maritime transport, the Group takes note of the report by the secretariats of ICAO and the IMO. The Group holds a strong position that this agenda item should continue to be dealt with through a multilateral process, in a manner that is open and transparent, inclusive and Party-driven. The Group is strongly against the imposition of unilateral measures in addressing emissions, which would be contrary to the principles of CBDR&RC and equity.

7. The Group welcomes the reports on systematic observations where the scientific community made presentations on data and information gaps regarding research and systematic observation. The Group welcomes the conclusions arising from the work under this agenda item.

    I thank you.