Statement by Mr. Evans Njewa, Chair of LDC Group at the SB Opening Plenary

June Climate Change Conference – Sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies

3^rd June 2024

Chairs, Co-Chairs, Distinguished delegates and colleagues,

1. The Republic of Malawi has the honor to make this statement on behalf of the 45 Least Developed Countries. I would first like to warmly congratulate the United Arab Emirates on their success hosting COP28 and extend my best wishes to Azerbaijan for COP29. We hope to work closely with the Presidencies Troika to deliver on accelerated climate action.

Chairs,

2. This is our first meeting following the successful completion of the first Global Stocktake, the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund, launching work on the global goal on adaptation, as well as the UAE just transition work program, to name a few. It is crucial that we maintain our momentum and demonstrate that multilateralism and collective action are the only antidotes to the mounting threat of climate change.
3. As we begin these two crucial weeks at SB60, we must remember that the IPCC has made it clear: 1.5°C-aligned action is a lifeline for our planet. It is not just a number; it is a beacon of hope for our people, our ecosystems, and our future generations.
4. Since the beginning of this year alone, we are overwhelmed by repeated episodes of deadly climate change induced disasters. Rising sea levels are swallowing our coastlines, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe, and prolonged droughts are decimating our agricultural yields.
5. Only this year, in my home country Malawi, recent flooding destroyed crops and vital infrastructure, and we have still not recovered from the devastation caused by Cyclone Freddy last year. The President of Malawi also issued a state of emergency recently due to El Nino-induced drought.
6. This last month alone has given us cause for serious alarm. Bangladesh was struck by the most devastating cyclone to hit the country in recent years. Flash flooding in Afghanistan, Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, has claimed countless lives and wreaked havoc on their struggling economies.
7. Severe drought in Zambia and forest fire in Nepal is no less than a humanitarian crisis. Record temperatures in Mali and Burkina Faso as well as extreme temperatures and heat waves across the globe are signaling that the alarm bells are louder than ever and that our window of action is narrowing.

Chairs,

8. The list is endless. The devastation is beyond comprehension. Not just within LDCs, but across the globe. Whichever way you look, climate-driven disasters are growing in frequency, and the scale of catastrophe is multiplying alongside.
9. Our communities are on the frontline of the climate crisis, a crisis that we did not create nor contribute to. We are extinguishing a fire that we did not ignite. And still we are denied the means to save our homes. This is a grave injustice.
10. Yet, our resilience and determination remain unwavering. We are committed to realizing sustainable and low-carbon futures for our countries. However, our efforts alone are insufficient. The scale and urgency of the climate crisis demand robust global support and solidarity.

Dear Chairs,

11. Over the past few years since COVID19, The Secretariat has shown its commitment to fostering ongoing dialogue between parties on many issues using different modes of working, ensuring an outstanding level of participation during the negotiations. However, we are concerned of the unavailability of the virtual participation in these Bonn Session and the limitations to the participation of LDC Group members due to challenges in access visas to Germany.
12. These have a huge bearing on the group’s participation and to the delivery of representative outcomes from the sessions. It is crucial for these sessions to be transparent, inclusive and participatory. We urge the secretariat and the guidance of the Chairs and all Parties to engage to the best of their ability and address these shortfalls.
13. In order to advance our work, we must progress discussions at this session and begin the full implementation of the outcomes of the UAE Consensus and the first global stocktake.
14. We consider the “UAE Consensus”, in particular the Global Stocktake decision, as a significant achievement in setting the next foundation for advancing ambitious climate action aligned with the 1.5°C limit and support the implementation of climate action. This foundation must now launch more transformational steps to close the ambition and implementation gaps highlighted by the GST, especially as Parties prepare for the next round of NDCs aligned to 1.5°C.
15. On the Annual dialogue on global stocktake (GST), the LDC Group looks forward to seeing how this dialogue can provide guidance on the implementation of the outcome of the first global stocktake, in particular informing the preparation of NDCs aligned to 1.5°C; and to facilitate mobilization of resources for the implementation of current NDCs. We must ensure there is appropriate follow up and accountability in the implementation of the GST outcomes across the thematic areas, namely mitigation, adaptation, loss and Damage, and climate finance.
16. Climate finance is a key priority for our group. A robust and ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance must be delivered at COP29. This gives direction for countries to enhance ambition and confidence in implementation as  access to climate finance remains a particular challenge for the LDCs. The NCQG must give confidence to countries to enhance climate ambition and support implementation of NDCs, NAPs and LT-LTS. At this SB60, we must advance on technical discussions to deepen our shared understanding and narrow down options.
17. The global goal on adaptation remains a high priority for our group. After successfully establishing the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience, we must ensure that the UAE- Belem Work programme delivers comprehensive indicators by COP30. It is imperative that we reach an agreement on the modalities that can allow the immediate start of this work post-Bonn sessions.
18. We also emphasize that means of implementation remains a key aspect of the GGA discussion and it must be taken into account for the development of indicators
19. We look forward to further discussions on elements of the scope of the UAE Just Transition Work Program and welcome the first dialogue on just transition in the context of NDCs, NAPs, and LTLEDs. Just transition is critical for the LDC Group, many of whom face a severe lack of energy access. We hope the work program will cater to our special needs and unique energy landscapes, delivering energy sufficiency to the group and enabling our national pathways to sustainable, green futures.
20. The urgency of climate action and driving mitigation ambition in this critical decade remains paramount. The MWP must actively drive this action, utilizing the clear guidance provided by the GST Outcome and move towards implementation.
21. The Loss and Damage Fund was a victory for us climate vulnerable countries and we appreciate the call for urgent mobilization and delivery of resources. The true effectiveness of these initiatives will be measured eventually by their responsiveness to the needs of the most vulnerable.
22. In developing the terms of reference for the WIM review, we need to understand that the loss and damage landscape has evolved significantly since the 2019 review. The LDC Group is looking forward to seeing the incorporation of the Santiago Network to ensure a comprehensive review of the WIM that assesses how well the WIM is fulfilling its mandate, particularly in relation to its third function of enhancing action and support. Furthermore, this WIM review cycle needs to determine how coordination, communication, synergies, and coherence could be established between the three loss and damage constituted bodies under the UNFCCC, including the Loss and Damage Fund. The LDC Group is also concerned about the recent developments regarding the change in the hosting location for the Santiago Network on Loss and Damage and feels that there should be a clear explanation on this issue.
23. On Sharm el-Sheikh joint work on implementation of climate action on agriculture and food security, there has been no progress since SB58 until now and as LDCs we expect to see progress on the proposed draft text that needs to be worked on. On transparency of action and support, the LDC Group reiterates that capacity building is critical to participate in the ETF and this should also be addressed in the upcoming weeks. Provision of support should be made available to developing countries for reporting and capacity-building. LDCs should receive support to have in-country capacity to account for GHG emissions, track progress towards implementation of NDCs, monitor and report on adaptation and loss and damage and support needed.
24. We appreciate the efforts of the Secretariat in developing the reporting tools and review trainings, but we are concerned about the impact that the current budgetary limitations can have on these key elements of the ETF process.
25. On Gender, we reiterate that the LDCs should be supported to implement the activities in the Gender Action Plan and to develop guidelines and tools that incorporate gender responsive climate actions in the National Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).
26. Regarding the issue of Technology, LDCs need adequate support to implement actions identified in our respective Technology Needs Assessments (TNAs). Adequate logistical and technical support should be provided to the National Designated Entities (NDEs) to enable them realize their mandates.
27. The LDC Group is looking forward to seeing capacity building taken into account across all elements of Article 6, including to guide and facilitate reporting instruments, meet participation requirements, and access registries, in addition to having a more streamlined negotiation process that we can engage in more.

Chairs, Co-Chairs, Distinguished delegates and colleagues,

28. We have noted the increased number of agenda items and particularly the mandated events. This presents a huge workload ahead of us, especially for LDCs who have small delegations, and the need for more time and efficient working modes. We also understand that we must use the time here in Bonn efficiently to achieve consensus on various agenda items.
29. We look forward to productive outcomes at SB60 with the guidance and support of the SBI and the SBSTA Chairs and Co-Chairs.
30. As we begin our discussions in Bonn, let us be guided by the principles of urgency, ambition, and solidarity. I thank you.