Closing of the thirty-ninth session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 39)

Statement by Nepal on behalf of the Least Developed Countries Group

Warsaw, Poland

Mr Chair, I have the honour to speak on behalf of the LDC Group. I would like to associate myself with the statements made by Fiji on behalf of G77 and China, by Nauru on behalf of AOSIS, and by Swaziland of behalf of the Africa Group.

First of all, let me congratulate you and thank you for your hard work during this session. We would also like to thank all the facilitators and the Secretariat for the many long hours they have endured in the course of the past week.

Mr Chair, it is gratifying to note that SBSTA conclusions on the Nairobi Work Programme have been adopted, and that a draft decision is being forwarded to the COP for adoption here in Warsaw. The draft decision specifies issues that are relevant to the livelihoods of people in developing countries, particularly in the LDCs. Now we look forward to the review of the work of the Nairobi Work Programme in future.  

Regarding agriculture, the LDC Group looks forward to considering the report of the in-session SBSTA 39 workshop, along with the submissions and views the Parties expressed there. Using these views, together with the elements agreed at SBSTA 38, the LDCs hope that Parties will be able to determine a way forward at SBSTA 40.
On the Technology Mechanism items, we need to provide clear and viable guidelines to enhance coherence and synergy between the Technology Executive Committee and the Climate Technology Center and Networks in order to accelerate and scale up international collaboration on the development and transfer of technology.
Under the Poznan Technology Strategic Plan of Action, many developing countries, including several LDCs, have undertaken their Technology Needs Assessments (TNAs). Through these TNAs, countries have identified their priorities and drawn up action plans for the implementation of these priorities. While these action plans represent an important step, mobilization of funds and technical support for their implementation is critical.

Regarding the 2013-2015 review, the structured expert dialogue’s work has elaborated issues and opened avenues for further understanding. We are encouraged by the draft decision. However, we believe that in the coming days, the review should be based on information collected from both developed and developing countries in a balanced manner.

We take note of the draft texts on Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) under article 3, paragraphs 3 and 4 of the KP and the CDM. We appreciate that the draft text on CDM considers all the activities mandated by the CMP in its road map. We hope that it will have positive contributions for the integrity of the environment, and that the LDCs will have greater access to CDM projects.

On research and systematic observation, the draft text adopted emphasizes the importance of the work done by the GCOS, WMO and the IPCC. The report highlights the critical gaps in observational data and their quality, as well as low density of data collection network. The report reiterates the urgent need for finance to close these various gaps. The LDCs fully support the organization of a workshop on systematic observations with a view to strengthening the capacities of developing countries.

Under REDD+, we believe that the progress on methodological guidance for forest reference emissions levels and MRV has paved the way forward. Developing countries can now initiate the process of developing reference levels and framing MRV, which will begin the process of implementing REDD+. Finance for REDD+ will have to be included in the package of decisions for full and effective implementation of REDD+. Regarding Non Carbon Benefits and Non Market Approaches, we look forward to further positive engagement in SBSTA 40.

Finally, Mr Chair, we express our gratitude to you for the excellent manner in which you steered SBSTA meetings during your tenure as its Chair and we wish you all the best in your future endeavours.

Thank you, Mr Chair.