At the close of the year’s first session of UN talks, the 48 countries constituting the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group are encouraged by progress made towards developing the new agreement on climate change.

 The Chair of the LDC Group, Mr. Giza Gaspar-Martins of Angola said: “We are pleased that Parties have agreed on a draft negotiating text this week and that we will be meeting the UN six months rule to adopt a legal agreement this December. The Geneva text is undoubtedly very long with various textual options, but it is a text that is ‘owned by the Parties’ and reflects all views and positions, including ours. We are also very encouraged that it meets the minimum requirements of a Protocol, which is the legal form of the Paris agreement that the LDCs will continue to push for.”

 “We now have to study the text very carefully, and consider ways to streamline it. We’ve had some exchange of views on thematic areas to foster better understanding of each Party’s proposals, which was very useful. We all know there are many diverging positions and difficult conversations to be had, but this must be encouraged sooner rather than later,” he added.

 According to IIED Press release,the text will begin to be negotiated at the next round of talks, which will take place in Bonn, Germany, in June.

 Gaspar-Martins concluded: “We congratulate the new co-chairs of their work thus far. The toughest work is ahead of us, but the LDCs are very encouraged by the political will shown by all Parties at this session and look forward to start discussions again in Bonn.”