Closing Plenary Statement of the Gambia on Behalf of the Least Developed Countries at the Subsidiary Body of Implementation

Bonn, Germany

Mr Chair,

The Gambia has the honour to speak on behalf of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The LDC Group associates itself with statements made by Algeria on behalf of the Group of 77 & China, Swaziland on behalf of the African Group, and Nauru on behalf of Alliance of Small Islands Developing States (AOSIS).

Mr Chair, we welcome the draft conclusions related to the Adaptation Fund. We hope that the interim arrangements with the GEF and the World Bank will enhance accreditation procedures for national implementing entities, accessibility, availability, and sustainability of the resources in the Fund in order to benefit the developing countries, in particular the LDCs, based on country needs.

The Group welcomes the draft conclusion on Loss and Damage during this session, although some substantial elements remain to be further elaborated in order to enhance adaptive capacity of vulnerable countries in addressing loss and damage arising from the adverse impacts of climate change.

We also appreciate the  inclusion of technical and financial assistance for developing countries. However, the text does not fully reflect the predictability and adequacy of the assistance.

We look forward to an arrangement to ensure funding of the remaining work of the LEG in its 2012 -2013 work program.

We hope that there will be continued support into the LDCF in order to support all elements of the LDC work programme, in particular the NAPAs. We urge developed country partners, GEF and Implementing Agencies to continue their financial support towards the implementation of NAPS as we prepare to embark on NAPs.

The Group is appreciative of the financial contributions and technical support of donors. We encourage other Parties and organizations in a position to do so, to contribute to the fund to enable the implementation of all NAPAs.

The Group acknowledges the support provided by the GEF and its implementing agencies and other organisations.

Mr Chair, yesterday in a meeting with the UNFCCC Executive Secretary and the GEF CEO, I was informed that the GEF will approve a project for US$ 2 million towards a support programme  to assist LDCs in the formulation of NAPs. We look forward to a speedy start to this project and prompt support to LDCs as we embark on NAPs.

Regarding international consultations and analysis, the LDCs would like to have a strong body that will be in charge of conducting the technical analysis consultation and inter-action with Parties with respect to the Biennial Update Report.  This body should analyse the Biennial Update Report and check it completeness with the view of ensuring a transparent and credibility and reliability of the BUR.

LDCs believe that the whole process should contribute to capacity Building in LDCs while seeing and striving for a collaboration and exchange, where appropriate, with the CGE with the view to improving the process of preparation of the biennial report. In doing so the CGE should continue its work as stated in its mandate in order to enhance and improve the capacity of Parties through adequate technical and financial support for the preparation of the biennial report.

Finally the group is concerned with the lack of financial resources that enable the secretariat to swiftly finalise the prototype of the registry, and call on Annex I Parties to support the secretariat in this endeavour.

I thank you Mr Chair.