1. We reaffirm that it is necessary to set clear and achievable priorities in our debates on the modalities for the implementation, key features, institutional arrangements and financing and specifying objectives and scope of its first cycle, key questions to be answered and primary target audiences.

2. We have before us a proposal by the Group of Experts to hold workshops as part of a possible sequence of decisions and tasks necessary to achieve the deadline of 2014, recommended in document 64/347, for the completion of the first cycle of the regular Process. That is one of many possible ways to establish that sequence of decisions. For those decisions to be mandated into action, the setting up of the institutional framework is required. That, then, should be our priority. Although workshops may prove useful in further defining the first phase of the Regular Process, the decision to convene them and their organization should be adopted and undertaken within the framework of the future institutional structure of the Regular Process.

3. The participation of Member States in the Regular Process is of utmost importance for the relevance, legitimacy and credibility of the process. For the G-77 and China, the decision making body of the Regular Process is the General Assembly (GA). The GA should thus consider the objective and scope, the findings and the periodic evaluations of the Regular Process and its products. Since it would be difficult for the GA to be assigned directly with the in-depth examination of those aspects, the institutional setup would include, as the management body, a formal Plenary Meeting open to all Members States

4. Such plenary meeting would review the products of the assessment cycles ("Assessment Reports") produced by the Group of Experts, based on which it would draft policy recommendations for the consideration of the GA. It could also provide interim reports, or status reports, to the GA on the work of the Regular Process. It would also be tasked with reviewing administrative matters pertaining to the organization of work of the Regular Process. A bureau of the plenary would be established to help organizing the work of the plenary.

5. In addition to plenary meetings open to the participation of all Member States, the new structure could rely on thematic working groups and a Secretariat hosted by DOALOS (according to Paragraph 182 of Resolution 64/71).

6. The Group of Experts will continue to provide the assessments to be considered by the Plenary of the Regular Process. The Plenary would draft recommendations to be considered by the General Assembly.

7. The mandate of the Group of Experts would correspond to the duration of an assessment cycle. The membership should include experts in disciplines relevant to the assessment of the state of marine environment, including socio-economic aspects. They would be appointed by member States according to the principle of equitable geographical distribution.

8. Two Working Groups would be established under the Group of Experts, tasked with preparing the Assessment Reports ("Assessment WG") and defining strategies and capacity-building programs ("Capacity WG"). The Assessment Reports should rely on the best available science. This feature justifies the need for a specific capacity-building-dedicated working group, as the enhancement of national capacities contributes notably to the establishment of a comprehensive network of scientific knowledge.

9. In accordance with the recommendation of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole, convened pursuant to paragraph 57 of General Assembly resolution 63/111, the Secretariat of the Regular Process would be hosted by the Division of Oceans and Law of the Sea (DOALOS) of the Office of Legal Affairs of the UN, with the support of other UN agencies and programs.

10. We are convinced that this structure would enable the Regular Process to function as a platform for science-policy interface.

Thank you.

2. The Group of 77 and China stresses that the objective and scope of each cycle of the Regular Process is to develop the strategy and time table for the production of assessments in order to ensure that the assessments are relevant for the target audience. That is to say, that the Regular Process should maintain its relevance to developing countries by providing capacity building. It should not be limited to facilitating the process of capacity building but should provide actual added value. The duplication of efforts already existing will limit the scope of the Regular Process. The capacity building is not only the implementation of the Convention but includes the elements of transfer of technology.

3. Beyond the convenience of an inventory of the opportunities for capacity building, the Group is reiterating the essential need for cooperation, including through capacity building and transfer of marine technology, to ensure that all States, especially developing countries, in particular the least developed countries and small island developing States, as well as coastal African States, are able both to implement the Convention and to benefit from the sustainable development of the oceans and seas, as well as to participate fully in global and regional forums and processes dealing with oceans and law of the sea issues.

Mr. Co-Chair,

4. The G77 stresses the aim and objective of part XIV of the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea which requires that States shall promote the development of the marine scientific and technological capacity of States which may need and request technical assistance in this field, particularly developing States, including land-locked and geographically disadvantaged States, with regard to the exploration, exploitation, conservation and management of marine resources, the protection and preservation of the marine environment, marine scientific research and other activities in the marine environment compatible with the Convention, with a view to accelerating the social and economic development of the developing States.

5. In the same context, Chapter 34 of Agenda 21 stresses the importance of transfer of environmentally sound technologies, cooperation and capacity building. In the same line, article 202 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea recognizes the need for scientific, educational, technical and other assistance to developing States, including training, infrastructure and equipment support.

Thank you.

1. At the outset, I would like to congratulate you on your appointment as Co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole to recommend a course of action to the General Assembly on the regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects. The Group of 77 and China assures the Co-Chairpersons of its support as they lead the meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole in its work this year.

Mr. Co-Chair,

2. The G-77and China reiterates its support for the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole contained in document A/64/347, and endorsed by the General Assembly in resolution 64/71. Those recommendations are the starting point of our deliberations.

3. The Group is of the view that there are a few features that would be required for the Process to generate assessments that provide useful tools for policy making and that enhance capacities. These features are:

- The Regular Process would be guided by international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other applicable international instruments;
- The Regular Process should be a relevant, legitimate and credible mechanism, and its products to be viewed as authoritative;
- Legitimacy, in particular, should result from a process that is multilateral and inclusive;
- The Regular Process should be intergovernmental, that is to say, that full participation of governments in decision making and monitoring of the Process as well as in the appointments of experts;
- The Regular Process is fundamental to national capacity building. The enhancement of each country's capacity and applying methodologies for environmental assessment and monitoring would guarantee more complete and coherent inputs and strengthen the Process' possibility of building a network of scientific activity, which is one of its fundamental building blocks;
- It should constitute a platform for science -policy interface;
- The Regular Process should be conducted under the United Nations and be ultimately accountable to the UN General Assembly.

Mr. Co-Chair,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,

4. The Regular Process should facilitate the provisions of inputs to contribute to the appropriate responses by States and competent regional and international organizations. The Process, therefore, should enhance the capacity of the competent authorities at the international, national and local levels to respond to the challenges to the sustainability of the marine environment, including addressing the socio-economic aspects adequately.

5. The Regular Process should promote and facilitate the full participation of developing countries in all of its activities, including through effective participation at the expert level and in the conduct of the Process.

6. The Regular Process should promote, and ensure capacity-building and transfer of technology, including marine technology, in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other applicable international instruments and initiatives, for developing and other States, taking into account the criteria and guidelines on the transfer of marine technology of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). This is essential as the global review of the state of the marine environment and the decision making process should be based on sound science. In that respect, it should be recalled that the transfer of technology, as recognized by the IOC, is the main tool for capacity building in the scientific sphere.

7. Opportunities for capacity-building should be identified, in particular on the basis of existing capacity-building arrangements and the identified capacity-building priorities, needs and requests of developing countries. Being an integral part of the Regular Process, capacity building and the transfer of technology should be effectively addressed. The first step towards such a process should be to request the Secretary-General to produce a report which includes priorities, needs and requests from developing Member States.

8. The selection of the group of experts, as constituted by the General Assembly by invitations to States, should continue to follow the rule of equitable geographic distribution.

9. The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs (DOALOS) should provide support for the Regular Process, in cooperation, as appropriate, with relevant United Nations specialized agencies and programmes. The center of the Process should be in New York, due to the close links of the object of the Regular Process with the discussions on Oceans at the General Assembly, the body to which it is ultimately accountable. Strengthening the capacity of DOALOS -including staff- could be needed to adequately respond to the needs of the Regular Process.

10. With regard to the financial resources for the Regular Process, the voluntary trust fund should continue and it is essential to ensure transparency and objectivity that all financial contributions made by Member States, international financial institutions, donor agencies, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and natural and juridical persons be addressed only at the trust fund established by resolution 64/71.

11. The special scholarship fund for training programmes for developing countries should be maintained by DOALOS.

12. Member States, international financial institutions, donor agencies, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and natural and juridical persons should be urged to make contributions to the funds.

13. In conclusion, the G77 and China attaches great importance to the Regular Process for the assessment of the marine environment including its socioeconomic aspects. In this regard, the Group reiterates that it will engage constructively in the meetings and assure the Co-Chairpersons of its full cooperation during this session.

Thank you.