Opening of the forty-first session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI 41)

Statement by Nepal on behalf of the Least Developed Countries Group

Lima, Peru

Mr. Chairman and distinguished delegates, good afternoon. Nepal has the honour to speak on behalf of the LDC Group. I would like to associate myself with the statements made by Bolivia on behalf of G77 and China.

Mr. Chair, from the outset, allow me to thank you for the various reports, analysis and compilation of information you have made available on different agenda items under the SBI. The LDCs have full confidence in your chairmanship of this important body, and believe that our discussions will reach to the best possible outcomes.

Mr. Chair, on matters relating to LDCs, we would like to flag the need for a decision to enable the full implementation of all elements of the LDC work programme. We would like to ask for due consideration of recommendations provided by the Least Developed Countries Expert Group in its reports. We would also urge Parties to replenish the LDC Fund to support our countries in the implementation of our National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) and the formulation of our National Plans of Action (NAPs) in a timely manner.

Mr. Chair, we are encouraged with the recent pledges contributing to the initial resource mobilisation process of the Green Climate Fund. However, we note that this is only a initial step towards the minimum US$100 billion per year by 2020 that is required to address climate change in developing countries. We are concerned that there is still a lot of uncertainty on how and when can we start accessing these funds.

Mr. Chair, the issue of Loss and Damage associated with adverse effects of climate change is of very high importance for the LDCs. We would like to acknowledge the two-year work plan and appreciate the Interim Executive Committee (iExCom) on Loss and Damage for its hard work. As mandated by COP19, we believe that the draft work plan prepared by the iExCom will be discussed among parties before its approval. The LDCs will be fully engaged to bring the current missing elements into the work plan at this session.

On the composition and modalities of the iExCom, our Group believes that the committee should be formed in a way that ensures that the voice and needs of the most vulnerable countries and particularly the LDCs are properly addressed.

Mr. Chair, the LDC Group is very much concerned about the depleting resources of the Adaptation fund. We have put forward some specific suggestions on establishing its linkages and innovative source of funding, in our submission to guarantee sustainable, predictable and adequate financial resources for this fund. We look forward for discussion and responses from partners on our proposal.

Mr. Chair, on matters related to Capacity building, the main obstacles are the lack of adequate resources, permanent institutional arrangement for effective implementation and monitoring of all the activities on capacity building including the linkages with other workstreams. We look forward to advancing this matter at this session.

Mr. Chair, on the 2013-2015 Review, we believe that the centrality of science in the UNFCCC process is fundamental. We hope that the 4th Structured Expert Dialogue (SED) will be instrumental in utilizing findings from the fifth Assessment Report of the IPCC. LDCs strongly believe and reaffirm that temperature rise should be kept below 1.5°C above pre-industrialized levels by the end of the century. Most importantly, it is crucial to ensure that the results and recommendations of the Review will be consistently integrated in the on-going discussions of ADP.

Mr. Chair, we also underline our commitment to promoting gender-responsive climate policy. It is necessary to make further progress on gender equality in this session. We look forward for a decision under this agenda item to confirm a framework for implementing gender-sensitive climate policy, including a two-year work programme on gender and climate change.

We look forward to working with you and providing our full support.

Thank you Mr. Chairman.