Opening of the thirty-ninth session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI 39)

Statement by Nepal on behalf of the Least Developed Countries Group

11 November 2013, Warsaw, Poland

Mr. Chair and distinguished delegates,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the LDC Group. I align this statement with the statement made by Fiji on behalf of G77 and China, by Nauru on behalf of AOSIS and by Swaziland of behalf of the Africa Group.

This 39th session of SBI is of utmost importance for the LDC Group. We need to make progress on various agenda items such as loss and damage, matters related to LDCs, the mandate of the CGE on national communication for Non Annex I parties, finance and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). All of these need urgent and serious consideration.

Chair, LDCs cannot step back from our position for the establishment of an International Mechanism on Loss and Damage and agreeing on its function and modalities. We have also called for continuation of the Work Programme on Loss and Damage, and to identify other relevant activities. The LDC Group has clear ideas on how such a mechanism can best work for the most vulnerable countries, and we look forward to further discussions on this matter during this section.

On the adaptation related agenda, we call for strong commitment from developed countries to fund our efforts. We have adopted the Guidelines for the Formulation of NAPs, and once funding is made available, we can initiate the process to develop NAPs and their implementation. The insufficiency of funds in the LDC Fund has hampered the implementation of our NAPAs. To allow parallel progress on the implementation of NAPAs and the formulation of the NAP process, we need more discussion on the provision of funding. Channelling support through the GCF in the longer run for NAPs implementation is key for our group.

On matters relating to LDCs, we seek clarity on progress in implementation of all other elements of the LDC work programme. The synthesis report of the regional training workshops on adaptation for the LDCs has highlighted some issues for possible consideration by the SBI. We request Parties to take full consideration of those recommendations.

Chair, we would also like to note that the LEG has been very helpful in providing technical support and guidelines on different matters. We request due consideration of the recommendations made by the LEG and their effective implementation.

The LDCs are seriously concerned by the shortfall of resources available to the Adaptation Committee. We urge commitments from the developed countries for financial support so that Adaptation Committee can continue to do its useful work.

On agenda item 4, the extension of the mandate of the CGE is of great importance to the LDC Group. The CGE has been instrumental in supporting developing countries including LDCs in enhancing their capacity to fulfil their reporting obligations under the Convention. As we are moving toward implementation of enhanced transparency by 2014, it is of utmost importance to extend the mandate of CGE for three to five additional years so as to facilitate capacity building of developing countries in the formulation of their BURs. Also, the adoption of the decision related to the technical team of experts on international consultation and analysis at this meeting is important.

We look forward to working with you and we will provide our full support.