The Group emphasized the urgency of delivering finance, technology, and capacity-building support aligned with national needs.
Iraq, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, delivered the opening statement at the joint plenary of the Subsidiary Bodies (SBSTA and SBI) of the UNFCCC’s 62nd session (SB62), calling for decisive international cooperation rooted in equity, justice, and scaled-up climate finance.
The statement began with appreciation to the COP29 Presidency of Azerbaijan and support for the incoming COP30 Presidency of Brazil, emphasizing the significance of SB62 in paving the path for a fair and ambitious outcome at COP30 in Belém. The Group marked the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement with a pointed reflection on the lack of tangible progress and stressed the urgency to shift from negotiations to implementation.
Climate Finance: Scaling up to match the crisis
Climate finance topped the Group’s priorities. With climate impacts worsening across the Global South, G77 and China underscored that there is no room for developed nations to delay or retreat from financial obligations. They called for the urgent scaling up of finance in line with the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement, noting that finance must be accessible, inclusive, and tailored to evolving national needs.
The Group demanded that developed countries address systemic barriers—including debt burdens, limited fiscal space, and high transaction costs—and ensure developing countries play a meaningful role in shaping the Baku-to-Belém Roadmap. They emphasized the importance of securing a robust outcome on the Adaptation Fund and reiterated that its current board composition should not be altered.
Crucially, they highlighted Article 9.5 of the Paris Agreement as a tool to ensure predictability of finance through improved biennial communications from developed countries. The Group also warned against reverse financial flows and called for action on non-enablers like unilateral measures and illicit financial flows.
Global Stocktake (GST): From reflection to action
G77 and China welcomed the continued procedural discussions on the Global Stocktake (GST), seeing it as an opportunity to enhance nationally determined contributions (NDCs) through shared knowledge and good practices. They backed an inclusive, Party-driven process for the UAE-led dialogue on implementing GST outcomes and expressed readiness to engage constructively.
Addressing Loss and Damage through the WIM
Reaffirming that loss and damage remains a top priority, the Group urged completion of the work under the Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM) at SB62. They acknowledged progress made by WIM’s ExCom, the Santiago Network, and the Loss and Damage Fund Board since COP29.
The Group outlined five key outcomes for the WIM Review: better coordination among institutions; scaled-up support including finance, technology, and capacity-building; enhanced knowledge for action; voluntary integration of loss and damage in national plans; and improved access to WIM and Santiago Network tools.
Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA): A work programme for real progress
The Group stressed the importance of reaching a successful outcome on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). They called for structuring and consolidating indicators into clear, globally relevant headline indicators—distinct from national-level sub-indicators. They emphasized that GGA should focus on achieving adaptation outcomes, not just measuring them.
The G77 and China insisted that support from developed countries is key to assessing progress and achieving GGA objectives. They also called for refining Means of Implementation (MoI) indicators—both quantitative and qualitative—to address finance, technology transfer, and capacity-building.
National Adaptation Plans (NAPs): Turning Plans into Action
The Group called for means of implementation for NAPs to be treated as a priority at SB62. While acknowledging signals from the Global Stocktake, they noted that COP30 presents a chance to move beyond reaffirmations. The Group urged concrete support from developed countries to translate NAPs into real-world outcomes, including a tripling of adaptation finance.
Just Transition: No one-size-fits-all
G77 and China demanded a just transition framework that reflects the diverse realities of developing countries. Emphasizing CBDR-RC principles, they stressed that just transition must be nationally determined and socially inclusive.
They cited progress through the UAE Just Transition Work Programme dialogues—most recently in Panama—which highlighted the central role of international cooperation and the need for means of implementation to achieve climate-resilient development pathways. These discussions must be captured in the COP30 outcome.
Technology: Bridging commitments and deployment
The Group emphasized that full implementation of technology provisions in the Paris Agreement is essential. At SB62, they urged for:
- Enhanced funding for the Technology Mechanism
- A practical Technology Implementation Programme (TIP)
- Empowerment and financing of the CTCN
- Stronger links between technology and finance
- Adequate UNFCCC budget support for technology goals
- Transparency: Strengthening the framework, not diluting it
With the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) becoming increasingly relevant, the G77 and China cautioned against any weakening of existing rules. They stressed that ETF should enhance implementation, not cause backsliding. They called for sustained support for developing countries to build national capacities and institutions to meaningfully participate in the transparency process.
Gender: Towards a strong action plan
The Group underscored the significance of gender in climate policy and called for finalizing a comprehensive, inclusive, and action-oriented Gender Action Plan at COP30, building on existing frameworks.
Capacity-Building: A renewed framework for a new era
G77 and China described capacity-building as a foundational pillar. They shared that work had been undertaken to assess the current framework—established over two decades ago—and formulate updated recommendations for SB62, SB63, and COP30. A new, responsive, and well-resourced framework is needed to meet both persistent and emerging needs.
Response Measures: Implementing the Baku workplan with equity
Welcoming the Baku workplan, the Group stressed the need to finalize clear modalities, outputs, and timelines for implementation. They also urged the full utilization of previous workplan outcomes and emphasized the importance of inclusive global dialogues.
They expressed concern over poor participation from developed countries in past dialogues and called for increased engagement to assess the impacts of response measures—especially unilateral actions that could hinder developing countries’ climate efforts or become disguised trade restrictions.
NDCs: Science-based, equity-driven
The Group reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating action through NDCs grounded in science, equity, and CBDR-RC. They welcomed the Mission 1.5 Troika’s role in supporting the next generation of NDCs and called for international cooperation to ensure inclusive and equitable transitions.
The Group of 77 and China pledged to maintain active engagement and collaboration at SB62 and beyond. They look forward to ensuring that the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue outcomes are translated into concrete decisions at COP30—moving the global climate agenda toward implementation, justice, and inclusive progress.
