Mr. Chair,

The Gambia has the honour to speak on behalf of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Government and the People of Qatar for hosting this negotiating session in Doha and for all the excellent arrangements.

Mr. Chair, this thirty-seventh session of the SBI is of paramount importance for the LDC group, as we expect it to conclude several LDCs matters with concrete proposals to be adopted by COP18.

The LDC Group would like to call for a clear coherence and synergy between the undergoing discussions under the SBI agenda items (6), (7b) and (9a) on the “Financial mechanism, in particular the sub agenda item (d) on further guidance to the Least Developed Countries Fund”, “Matters related to the LDCs”, and “National Adaptation Plans” respectively.

The LDC group is confident that, under your guidance, the SBI conclusions will recommend decisions to COP 18 that offer guidance to the financial mechanism of the Convention to support the NAPs process for the LDCs. On this matter, the group is looking forward to clear guidance on the support for the NAPs process, which includes both financial and technical support.

Financial support will enable the formulation phase of the process, including a global launch event early next year, while technical guidance and support should be based on the support elaborated by the LEG for the LDCs.

We expect conclusions to be made for the necessary COP decisions in order to ensure full implementation of the LDC work programme adopted eleven years ago in 2001. The group also expects a COP decision on approaches to address loss and damage, including the establishment of the international mechanism that was mandated to the SBI by decision 7/COP.17.

Other agenda items that are of the paramount importance for the LDC group include:

• The first review of the adaptation committee
• Technology development and transfer
• Capacity building
• Registry for developing country NAMAs
• The composition, modalities and procedures of the team of technical experts under international consultations and analysis, and
• The work of the Consultative Group of Experts on National Communications from non-annex I Parties.

The group is prepared to engage constructively on these agenda items and invites all parties to ensure close collaboration so that we can make the best use of the time available during this session.

Thank you

LDC SBI specific statements

Mr. Chair,

This agenda item is of paramount importance for the LDC group under the SBI and the group strongly believes that together, all Parties will achieve success in pushing forward the issue of providing support to elements of the LDC work programme other than NAPA here in Doha.  As you are aware, the LDC work programme was established in 2001 at COP 7, over a decade ago. Up to now, several elements of this work programme remain unfunded.

This situation plays a fundamental role in the continuing difficulties of many LDCs to effectively manage climate change issues at all levels. Indeed, as the needs identified by all countries within the framework of this Convention and which were agreed to be funded have not been satisfied, it is extremely difficult, even impossible for the LDCs to undertake an issue alone and unsupported in this climate challenge.

The LDC group counts on your determination to move forward and resolve this issue by inviting developed countries partners and other developing country allies to support this decision.

Parties need to continue their work and identify concrete options based on the further specifications provided by the LEG in consultation with the GEF, on each of the elements of the least developed countries work programme other than the national adaptation programmes of action.

Furthermore the proposals that have been made on how the GEF could support these activities are to be considered for decision on implementation.

The group would like however to raise the point that, wherever the LDCF has been targeted to provide this support, it is essential to ensure the support of these elements of the LDC work programme are not being implemented by a rerouting of the funds dedicated to the NAPAs implementation.

It is extremely clear that this agenda item refers to the other elements of the LDC work program other than NAPAs, and as such, funding to be affected to the implementation of this program should be additional to the funds dedicated to the NAPAs implementation, which still remain insufficient.

The LDC group hopes to see fruitful deliberations under this agenda item to inform the COP, at its eighteenth session, on the guidance to be provided to the GEF on support for the implementation of the elements of the least developed countries work programme other than the NAPAs.

Thank you Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair,

The LDC group welcomes the report provided by the LEG on its 22nd session, in particular the report on the status of preparation and implementation of national adaptation programmes of action. The group expresses its satisfaction to see the process of NAPA preparation soon coming to an end and wishes the remaining countries still under the preparation process a rapid completion.

When it comes to implementation, Mr. Chair, the picture looks grayer. In spite of the efforts being made, it has to be said that there are still challenges in expediting the process. The 43 NAPAs submitted contained more than 540 immediate and urgent projects.

Mr. Chair, if all 540 projects from the NAPAs were implemented today, we all know that the LDCs would still not satisfy their adaptation needs and adequately deal with the threats of climate change.  However, up to now, the GEF Council has approved around 82 projects.

The process is still challenging with several steps that can lead to delay. The LDCs are still committed to do their best in improving their capacities to access the LDCF.

The LDCs tirelessly, under the pressure of the deteriorating living conditions in our countries, continue to argue for the deserved attention to be given to this question. The LDCs thanks donor countries for their support to the LDC Fund, which now mobilizes 25% of the funding required for the implementation of the NAPAs. The LDCs are now calling upon the sense of urgency associated with this question so that the remaining 75% of the funding is allocated. At the same time, these resources must be devoted to what they are intended for and not be diverted to other activities. Although the LDC Fund could be used to leverage other resources to the needs of LDCs, a clear assessment must be made and transparency provided.

The LDCs would like to clearly indicate that the additionnality of these funds to the funds needed for NAPA implementation is key. Failing to do so, will result in many NAPAs going unfunded and will jeopardize the NAPA process forever.

Thank you Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair,

At this COP, the LDC group is looking forward to clear guidance on the support for the NAPs process. We wish to see:

• Financial support for the formulation phase of the process on a country-by-country basis, including a global launch event early next year
• and Technical guidance and support.

The group would like to thank the LEG and acknowledge their work on the technical guidelines for the national adaptation plans process. The group looks forward to the quick operationalization of actions. The group also would like to thank the LEG and acknowledge their work on their identification of support needs for national adaptation plans and their compilation of case studies on national adaptation strategies and plans.

We are looking forward to discussion with other colleagues in order to move forward this agenda item, which is important for the advancement of the implementation of the adaptation agenda under this Convention.

Thank you Mr. Chair.