Statement by the Gambia on behalf of the LDC on the closing plenary of the Ad hoc working group on the Durban Platform (ADP)

 Bonn

Madam Chair,

The Gambia is honoured to deliver this statement on behalf of 48 Least Developed Countries.

The Group associates itself with the statements made by Algeria on behalf of G77 & China, Swaziland on behalf of Africa and Nauru on behalf of AOSIS.

Let me take this opportunity to express our appreciation to the COP Presidency, for the manner in which the work of the ADP was conducted at this session. We highly commend Ambassador Nozipho Mxakato-Diseko for the atmosphere and spirit in which she conducted these consultations.

We would also like to thank all the Parties for their patience, determination and positive engagement in resolving issues related to the agenda  and election of the ADP Bureau.

Madam Chair,

The need for us to meet before Doha cannot be over-emphasized.

We therefore invite Parties in a position to do so to declare their intention to provide financial contribution by Monday, 28^th of May for the organization of the Bangkok session, which is crucial to further advance the work of the ADP.

Having spent the whole Bonn session to adopt the agenda and election of officers, we should avoid spending another lengthy period to agree on the organization of work in the next session.

We therefore request the two co-chairs to have adequate consultations with groups and explore ways of providing an open space for further discussion on the organization of work before the next ADP meeting.

As always, the LDC Group stand ready for  constructive and positive engagement towards Doha and beyond.