• Dear SB Chairs, Let me start by congratulating you both on your new role, H.E Amb. Adonia Ayabere as SBSTA Chair and Ms Julia Gardiner as SBI Chair.
• I have the honour to make this statement on behalf of the 44 Least Developed Countries.
•  Just to reiterate that this is a group of countries that are on the frontline of the climate crisis, despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions. 
• LDCs have over one billion people, majority being women and youth who are particularly vulnerable groups to impacts of CC. Recently, LDCs have  experienced impacts of climate change spanning from tropical cyclones in Malawi, Madagascar, Mozambique and other countries; floods in Nepal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and others; to the persistent droughts devastating livelihoods across numerous countries in our group.
• However, the Group is committed to advancing our collective work under the guidance of the Chairs and Co-Chairs.
• We must work constructively to advance work on Finance, GGA, Loss and Damage, Mitigation, Just Transition, Capacity Building, Transparency, Technology, Article 6, and Gender here in Bonn.

Climate Finance

Climate finance should substantially increase right from 2026 onwards to accelerate the implementation of NDCs and NAPs:

• We stress the urgency to dramatically increase support for adaptation, which is why LDCs call for tripling finance for adaptation.
• We urge that the Baku-to-Belém $1.3 trillion roadmap process leads to an actionable outcome that contributes to fully implementing the NCQG decision, including support for loss and damage.
• We are concerned regarding existing budget restrictions affecting support to our countries and the effective delivery of activities.

Adaptation

On GGA

• The Global goal on adaptation is one of our high priorities. COP 29 was a key milestone in progressing in  the establishment of adaptation indicators. This momentum should not and must not weaken.

• The discussions here in Bonn must set the conditions for a successful conclusion of the UAE Belem Work Programme at COP30. Our group believes no agreement can also be reached if means of implementation are not clearly defined and integrated in the framework. 

On NAPs 

• Our group greatly appreciates the launch of the NAP 3.0 initiative last year, which aims to promote innovative adaptation financing, tailored specifically to the needs of LDCs and SIDS. However, we are deeply concerned about delays in concluding the work on NAPs  with no substantive outcomes. 
• The LDC Group members are leading the way, with half having formulated NAPs and the rest in advanced stages. The NAP text must not only acknowledge the significant financial access difficulties our members face despite having NAPs but also offer tangible solutions and a firm promise of a different future. With you by our side we believe our issues will not be ignored

Global Stocktake, NDC 1.5°C alignment, implementation of NDC

• The current NDCs are not aligned with 1.5°C. The new and updated NDCs must reflect strengthened ambition, aligned to 1.5°C and informed by the GST1 outcome.
• Many of our countries are preparing updated NDCs, but are also struggling to implement the NDCs. There is a need for adequate and simplified support for the implementation of NDCs. 
• We could not reach an agreement on the GST agenda items in Baku. We look forward to advancing the work on UAE GST Dialogue, which we believe should focus on implementation of all GST outcomes with focus on support. 
• We also look forward to advancing the discussion on refinement of the future GST process, where the reports of the IPCC AR7 working groups remain important. 

Mitigation and Just Transition

• On the Mitigation Work Programme (NWP), we believe that there is a need to urgently reform MWP to be fit-for-purpose, science-based and implementation-oriented. 
• The MWP must have clear linkage with the first GST outcome, and focus on facilitating actionable solutions, remove barriers to finance, and support implementation of conditional NDC targets

The LDC Group has consistently supported the JTWP,  constructive negotiations and a draft decision text must be forwarded to SB62.

• UAE JTWP must reflect LDC Group specific priorities such as energy access, poverty reduction, informal worker protection, green job creation, and addressing structural inequalities like debt burdens.
• Our transition pathways differ from those of more advanced economies, and our special needs and circumstances must be reflected in both the design and implementation of just transition pathways.

Loss and Damage

• The ongoing WIM review must bring forth recommendations to ensure its ExCom and Santiago Network work alongside the new Fund for responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) to enhance delivery of support for addressing loss and damage
• These bodies have a crucial role in providing the knowledge and technical assistance needed to assess and communicate needs and integrate loss and damage response into national planning
• The review must strengthen the WIM in this regard, including calling for national loss and damage contact points and Santiago Network liaisons to take the helm, and ensuring national and local level OBNEs are able to join the network and are prioritised in delivering technical assistance.

Agriculture

• The increasing frequency of extreme weather events has exposed millions of people, especially small-scale farmers, indigenous peoples, women and youth in Least Developed Countries
• Existing global cooperation and funding arrangements fall short of responding to the particular vulnerabilities of food production systems to the adverse impacts of climate change
• LDCs are committed to engage in constructive discussions during the first in-session workshop under the Sharm el-Sheikh Joint work on agriculture and food security, scheduled on June 17th; expecting tangible outcomes that will help on promoting holistic and integrated approaches under UNFCCC, to inform food and nutrition responsive climate action, support and policies in developing countries, particularly LDCs.

Indigenous People

The LDC Group recognise the significant implications that climate change has for Indigenous Peoples. We also recognise that traditional knowledge can play a significant role in adapting to the impacts of climate change. Therefore we encourage the strong engagement of Indigenous Peoples with Parties in the agenda items at this SB and the subsequent COP.

Gender

We would like to see that the new GAP activities should focus on the gender mainstreaming across the board and also gender responsive financial mechanisms. It is crucial for our group that there is support provided to implement the GAP.

Closing

• It is essential to foster a constructive atmosphere in the Bonn negotiations to pave the way for a formal decision at COP30.
• The LDC group is committed to working with the Co-Chairs to deliver a strong outcome.
• We understand that global political dynamics remains fragile, however we would like to stress that the growing climate devastation requires urgency with no room for distractions. 
• Finally, we would like to raise again the issue of visa for delegates be urgently addressed as this affects the participation of our delegation at the SBs. It is concerning that visa issues are worsening each year.
• Thank you.

End