Fortieth session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 40)

Closing statement by Nepal on behalf of the Least Developed Countries Group

Bonn, Germany

Mr. Chair and distinguished delegates, Nepal has the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 48 Least Developed Countries. I would like to associate myself with the statement made by Bolivia on behalf of G77 and China, Sudan on behalf of the Africa Group, and Nauru on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States.

The LDCs would like to thank all the Parties involved in the Agriculture negotiations for successful conclusion. We believe that we should do more to combat the impacts of climate change and climate variability so that our smallholder farmers can be less impacted. For our group, food security should be the top priority for all and we look forward to a fruitful outcome of the four up-coming in-session workshops on Agriculture.

The operationalization of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage is fundamental for the LDCs, and we welcome the exchanges held during this session. We reiterate that the mechanism must address the concrete needs of our people. So we call for expediting the necessary arrangements for responding to the expectation of the vulnerable developing countries.

Mr. Chair, we would like to adopt a decision in Lima, following up the conclusions here, enabling integration of the Poznan Strategic programme on technology into the Technology Mechanism. This will enable effective responses to the technology needs of developing countries and avoid having two parallel programmes addressing the same activities. Furthermore, we look forward to a decision that will encourage Developed Country Parties to provide adequate and consistent financial support in accordance with the provisions and principles of the Convention, to enable the implementation of the outcomes of the Technology Needs Assessments including the action plans.

Mr. Chair, we would like to welcome the conclusion on the joint report of the Technology Executive Committee and the Climate Technology Centre and Network. This report has a lot of implications for us in regard to enhancement of linkages within the Technology mechanism and between the Technology mechanism and other institutions in and outside the Convention. The report also touched on the need to address the barriers to technology and the need to converse with other institutions with the view to resolving the issues on the barriers to technology.

The LDCs are concerned about the lack of progress on the consideration of methodological guidance on non-market-based approaches for REDD+ activities. Many LDCs are unlikely to have access to market-based approaches due to a variety of reasons as it is the case with CDM.

Furthermore, the LDCs are also concerned with the lack of progress on consideration of methodological guidance for non-carbon benefits (NCBs). The LDCs believe that payments for NCBs are essential to achieving emission reductions. NCBs can play an important role on the sustainability of all REDD+ activities and will minimize the risk of reversal actions that can lead to further deforestation and forest degradation. The group is ready to engage on constructive discussions on these issues at the next sessions of SBSTA.

Mr Chair, the LDC Group re-emphasises that the Market Mechanisms are supplementary to domestic actions under ambitious binding commitments. We welcome the conclusions of the SBSTA on the three working programmes on Framework for Various Approaches, Non Market-based Approaches and New Market-based Mechanism. We reiterate the necessity for the continuation of our work in a balanced manner.

The LDCs did not benefit from the existing mechanisms and reiterate the need to pay particular attention to the work under the work programme on Non Market-based Approaches which can help us to implement policies and measures with significant GHG emission reductions while meeting our sustainable development objectives. The design of the future New Market-based Mechanisms must ensure an environmental integrity and allow the participation of all.

On the agenda item on research and systematic information, we take note of the conclusions and welcome the provisions for information sharing on the lessons learned and best practices for knowledge and capacity building, but we stress the need to address the deficiencies and gaps in research in developing countries.

The LDC Group welcomes the SBSTA conclusion to enhance modalities and additional activities of the Nairobi Work Programme on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change. We expect that the new activities will serve to identify and address the knowledge gaps in climate change adaptation in developing countries, particularly LDCs.

Mr. Chair, we thank you for the work you conducted during this session and look forward to working closely with you in the next session.