Opening of the forty-second session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI 42)

Statement by the Republic of Angola on behalf of the Least Developed Countries Group

1 June 2015, Bonn, Germany

Mr. Chair, Distinguished Delegates, Angola has the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of Least Developed Countries. We associate ourselves with the statement made by South Africa on behalf of the G77 and China and with Sudan on behalf of the African Group and Maldives on behalf AOSIS.

At the outset, allow me to express our solidarity with the government and people of Nepal on the massive earthquakes that struck the country. We send our prayers and condolences for the great loss of life, the disruption of livelihoods and irreparable damage to globally significant heritage sites. This tragedy is a stark reminder of the low capacity and vulnerability of LDCs due to the fragility of our natural and human systems.

Mr. Chair, with regard to our work under SBI at this session, we have several agenda items that are of great importance to our Group. The LDCs have made significant progress in the preparation and implementation of NAPAs and are also starting the NAP process. In this regard, the work of the LDC Expert Group (LEG) has been critical and central to the progress made by the LDCs in dealing with the adverse impacts of adaptation though NAPAs and the LDC Work Program. We have made a submission on the renewal of the mandate of the LEG, and we underscore the need for continued support from the LEG. The support through the LEG will be critical for LDCs as we look to building resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change through the formulation and implementation of NAPs and other needs that may arise in the future.

Mr. Chair, on the process to formulate and implement NAPs, this session of the SBI has an important mandate to review progress made since COP17. On this matter, while we have technical guidelines and training provided to the LDCs, we note with great concern that not many LDCs have been able to make much progress in the process to formulate and implement NAPs. We are concerned over the severe lack of finance in the LDC Fund, which has prevented LDCs from initiating the formulation of NAPs in a country-driven manner. Furthermore, the profusion of competing global and bilateral support programmes for NAPs is confusing LDCs with different approaches and interpretations of the NAP process.

Mr. Chair, the LDC Group wishes to reiterate that the LDCF is a unique and appropriate fund that is dedicated to support specific adaptation needs of LDCs as per decisions 7/CP.7, 27/CP.7, 28/CP.7 and 29/CP.7. Further, the Group acknowledges that Annex II Countries and other Parties in Annex I that are in a position to do so have been making voluntary financial contributions to the LDCF in accordance with decisions 8/CP.8, 3/CP.11 and 5/CP.14. However, we note with concern the continued dwindling of the funds in the LDCF making it difficult for countries in dire need of adaptation finance to access these funds. We call upon developed country Parties and Parties in a position to provide the much needed resources to the LDCF for the implementation of the LDC Work Programme.

Mr. Chair, we also note with great concern the lack of progress in Loss and Damage and that the first meeting of the Executive Committee of the Warsaw International Mechanism, scheduled for March, did not take place. We urge all regional groups to complete the nominations to the committee so that the work of this committee can begin at the earliest.

Mr. Chair, capacity building for LDCs is essential to enable all Parties to participate fully in, and to implement effectively their commitments under the Convention. It is important to recall that all the means of implementation under the Convention have an institutional body, except for capacity building. Therefore, the Group strongly believes that time has come for capacity building to be treated as a stand-alone issue, with an institution of its own and with adequate and sustainable financial support. This institution would be in charge of: the monitoring and review of efforts and support; the provision of advice and guidance; and enhancing the institutional framework to coordinate efforts.

During COP 20 in Lima, we saw the birth of the Lima Work Programme on Gender to advance the goal of gender balance and gender-responsive climate policy. It is pleasing to note that we commence the implementation of the Work Programme with a workshop on gender climate responsive policy with a focus on mitigation and technology. The LDC Group looks forward to further implementation of the Lima Work Programme on Gender as well concrete recommendations on clarifying gender terms, and recommendations on gender mandates for the effective integration and mainstreaming of gender issues under the UNFCCC for consideration at future SBI sessions.

Mr. Chair, while we continue our work towards Paris and the new agreement, the climate continues to change, impacts become more evident and the urgency for higher ambitions and action increases. In view of the Report of the Structured Expert Dialogue, the scientific evidence reaffirms that the risks associated with a global temperature increase of 2 degrees Celsius remains unacceptably high for vulnerable populations. Severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts of a 2 degrees world on top of current climate impacts threatens our people’s survival and future. It is in this respect we would like to see below 1.5 degrees anchored in the new Agreement.

Mr. Chair, the LDCs are ready to work constructively on making as much progress as possible at this session and look forward to working with you and all Parties.

Thank you.