The Conference of the Parties (COP) Bureau of the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC), rising from a meeting on Thursday, April 15, has agreed to hold a virtual session from May 31 to June 17, 2021.
The three-week meeting, that follows the principle of maximising progress and minimising delay as previously endorsed by the Bureau, will allow to advance the extensive work that needs to be addressed in preparation for the UN Climate Change Conference COP26, to be held in Glasgow, Scotland at the end of the year.
Discussions during the meeting in June will be informal; decisions will only be adopted at the next formal meeting in person, UN body disclosed on Thursday, April 15.
“The current COP President, Ms Carolina Schmidt, and the Bureau, the incoming UK COP president Mr. Alok Sharma, the Chairs of the Subsidiary Bodies and the UNFCCC secretariat are committed to ensuring that the meeting is inclusive and transparent. Special attention will be paid to scheduling the meetings to accommodate different time zones across the globe, and facilitate coordination meetings by negotiating groups,“ the UNFCCC stated.
The UNFCCC Secretariat says it will continue to provide support to ensure the full and effective participation, in a fair and inclusive manner, of all Parties. This, it adds, includes supporting logistical and connectivity needs for participants, as needed.
The UNFCCC Executive Secretary and the presiding officers will also address Governments in an open letter asking that all Governments, through their negotiators, support the work of the sessions to achieve as much progress as possible towards a successful COP.
“Additionally, to enhance openness, transparency and inclusiveness, effective participation and engagement of observers will be enabled in the same manner as during in-person meetings,“ the UN body adds.
