9 June 1998

⁽¹⁾ ENGLISH ONLY

UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

SUBSIDIARY BODY FOR IMPLEMENTATION

Eighth session

Bonn, 2-12 June 1998

Agenda item 9 (a)

• The attached position paper was submitted by Venezuela on behalf of the Group

of 77 and China in connection with the work of the eighth session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation, and in particular with reference to agenda item 9 (a), "Arrangements for the fourth session of the Conference of the Parties".

• In accordance with the procedure for miscellaneous documents, the attached submission is reproduced in the language in which it was received and without formal editing.

  
  
  

FCCC/SBI/1998/MISC.3

BNJ.98-

1. Agenda item 4 (b): Second Review of the Adequacy of Article 4.2(a) and (b). The Group presented a separate position paper on this matter.

2. Item 6: Voluntary commitments by non-Annex I Parties.

There is no support in the Group for the inclusion of this item.

3. Item 8: High Level Segment attended by Ministers and other Heads of Delegation.

• There must be equal treatment for all Heads of Delegation. Differences in matters of protocol must be strictly limited to social functions.
• There must be complete transparency. All drafts and proposals, including the Chairman's summary, must be circulated to all delegations with sufficient time for their consideration and discussion.
• Two days are considered to be sufficient for this segment, which should take place at the end of the session.
• The High Level Segment must not be bound by any declaration originated in any body or meeting that is extraneous to COP 4.
• The annexed agenda is proposed to provide the main focus for the High Level Segment.

Participants in the High Level Segment of COP4 should give the necessary guidance and impetus to implementing commitments under the Convention, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Convention.

The following should provide the main focus of the high level segment of COP4:

A. Reiteration of determination of all Parties to advance implementation of existing commitments under the Convention as a top priority pending the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol.

B. Means of implementation of the Convention.

• Implementing commitments on financial resources in accordance with the Convention provisions;
• Promoting development and transfer of environmentally sound technologies to developing country Parties to address climate change, taking into account the 3 decisions adopted by the COP at its first, second and third sessions;
• Strengthening the endogenous capacities and capabilities of developing country Parties to address climate change, and for adaptation to climate change;
• Promoting education, training, public awareness to address climate change;
• Enhancing assistance to the strengthening of observation networks and research to reduce scientific uncertainties relating to the causes, effects, magnitude and timing of climate change (Article 4.1(g) of the Convention).

C. Way forward.

Cooperation in good faith, in accordance with the Convention provisions, towards:

• Strengthening efforts at implementation of all existing commitments under the Convention, without waiting for the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol;
• Promoting the early entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol.