COALITION FOR RAINFOREST NATIONS OPENING STATEMENT TO SBI 36 Bonn, 14 May 2012

Thank you Mr. Chairman, PNG makes has the honour to speak on behalf of the following countries, members of the Coalition for Rainforest Nations: Belize, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Costa Rica, Cote dIvoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Honduras, Kenya, Laos PDR, Liberia, Panama, Pakistan, Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Togo, Uganda and Vietnam. Mr. Chairman, at the outset we would like to associate ourselves with the statement made by the distinguished delegate of Algeria, on behalf of the group of 77 and China. Mr. Chairman, in Durban key decisions on safeguards information systems and modalities for a forest reference emission level and a forest reference level were adopted. Given we must complete the LCA this year, including REDD+, we cannot afford time to continually reopen such issues already agreed. Therefore, in this session, we believe SBSTA has largely completed its work and any remaining issues are policy related and therefore under the scope of the LCA. For example, in decision 1.CP16 we have already agreed that the MRV of REDD+ must be consistent with the MRV of NAMAs. Further, we already have many decisions related to modalities for national forest monitoring systems. However, several previous decisions have identified very specific issues to be further considered, and the Parties must strictly focus energies in these areas. We must again reemphasize that rainforest coalition countries are ready to start with the implementation of REDD+ activities and no further delay can be allowed. By no means, we can permit reopening any discussion on agreed items in REDD+ and NAMAs; its now time for implementation. Mr. Chairman, on the issue of coastal marine ecosystems under the research dialogue, we are looking forward to engaging with all Parties in a fruitful and open discussion on the contribution of these

ecosystems to adaptation to and mitigation of climate change, with the view to convene a dedicated workshop on the matter involving all relevant stakeholders to be held before COP18. Mr. Chairman, we reiterate the call from the distinguished delegate of Algeria on behalf of G77/China for an interaction and collaboration between the two subsidiary bodies in order to strengthen synergies on areas of common interest. Finally Mr. Chairman, please be assured of our determination and good willingness to work under your guidance in this year with the aim to strive for an ambitious result in Doha. I thank you, Mr. Chairman.