CAN Intervention – LCA 1st Informal on Capacity Building, BKK – September 1st, 2012

SPEAKING NOTES – Pat Finnegan on behalf of CAN-International

As the US has noted, words matter. I'd like to respond to her request for any wording that specifies there is still work left to do.

First I will add that context also matters. There are now more than 30 Parties in the room. This is more than we have had for a very long time—-probably not since as far back as at BKK-2 here 3 years ago (as the EU has already observed)

This is an indicator of how the context is changing—momentum may be swinging back to one where CB is afforded the degree of importance and attention it has always deserved (in CAN's view at least)

Putting context and words together, we need to go back to Marrakech and 2/CP-7 to find the right words and a mandate for further work

In the chapeau to Section VI of 2/CP-17 (the most recent LCA text on CB, which this group agreed in Durban) you will find the following words; "CB should be a continuous, progressive and iterative process that is participatory, country-driven and consistent with national priorities and circumstances"

Those words form the basis of the Marrakech Framework for Capacity Building in Developing Countries, which underpins all UNFCCC work on CB. They have been in the chapeau of every COP decision on CB since Marrakech. However, as can sometimes be the case, because they are so basic, sometimes they get forgotten.

The three key words here are the adjectives: "continuous", (most importantly) "progressive", and "iterative". Taken together, they mean we are never done (as in fact the EU has already acknowleged)

As the EU has also already observed (holding exactly the same view as CAN) while there may well be no Bali Building Block solely for CB (as the US has pointed out, as a reason for discontinuing work) the LCA agreed to create a dedicated discussion precisely because evidence from the ground demonstrates there is still a long way to go on developing capacity for developing countries – action must continue, must be progressive, and must be iterative

Jamaica and Burundi in particular have spoken eloquently of the unfulfilled capacity needs that still need to be addressed – precisely the same ones CAN has been emphasising time and time again

CAN has also been maintaining for a long time that unless some sort of effective and dedicated CB oversight and co-ordination structure is created, these capacity needs have very little chance of ever being adequately met

In this light, we do not unfortunately (referring again to the US emphasis on the importance of words) consider that the Cancun para 137 requirement to further elaborate institutional modalities has been fully implemented by merely establishing the Durban Forum

With all due respect to its potential utility as a dialogue, the Durban Forum is only scheduled to meet for one day in 2013 and (presumably) one further day sometime in 2014

CAN's suggested yesterday that the LCA could neatly conclude its work on agenda item 3 f) by mandating a COP-18 decision for the COP to supervise an intensive 2 year programme of work in the SBI throughout 2013-2014, offering the opportunity for some concentrated work across and through 4 full sessions of the SBI

With sufficient content, this programme might be worthy of being called the Doha Capacity Building Action Plan

Thanks again Chair and delegates for this opportunity. We look forward to further opportunities to offer our assistance and views

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