16 May 2016
Bonn Climate Talks Open, Focus on Implementation of the Paris Agreement
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The Bonn Climate Change Conference opened on 16 May, at the World Conference Center Bonn, in Bonn, Germany.

The meeting comprises the 44th sessions of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI 44) and the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 44), as well as the first session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA 1).

UNFCCC16 May 2016: The Bonn Climate Change Conference opened on 16 May, at the World Conference Center Bonn, in Bonn, Germany. The meeting comprises the 44th sessions of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI 44) and the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 44), as well as the first session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA 1).

The SBI is expected to take up several agenda items, including: reporting; matters related to the Kyoto Protocol’s mechanisms; least developed countries (LDCs); national adaptation plans (NAPs); third review of the Adaptation Fund; capacity building; response measures; and gender. In relation to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the SBI will consider several issues, including the registry of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and the scope and modalities for the periodic assessment of the Technology Mechanism.

The SBSTA is expected to consider, inter alia: the Nairobi work programme; agriculture; science and review; response measures; methodological issues under the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol; and market and non-market mechanisms. In relation to the Paris Agreement, SBSTA will consider several issues, including the technology framework; matters related to Article 6 (cooperative approaches); and modalities for accounting financial resources provided and mobilize through public interventions.

The APA is expected to consider modalities and further guidance for several articles of the Paris Agreement, including: NDCs (Article 4); transparency framework for action and support (Article 13); global stocktake (Article 14); and mechanism to facilitate implementation and promote compliance (Article 15). The APA will consider preparations for the entry into force of the Paris Agreement and the convening of the first Conference of the Parties (COP) serving as the Meeting of the Parties (MOP) to the Agreement.

The UNFCCC Secretariat informed it received the following nominations for the positions of APA Co-Chairs: Sarah Baashan (Saudi Arabia) and Jo Tyndall (New Zealand). The election will be held during the opening of the APA on 17 May.

During the opening plenary, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres received a standing ovation in gratitude for her service. Noting that “today marks a new era for all of us” she stated that with the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), parties had opened the opportunity to meet the climate change challenge by fulfilling the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.

Salaheddine Mezouar, Morocco, President-designate of the 22nd session of the COP 22, said COP 22 will be one of action and emphasized a focus on climate finance, agriculture and resilience.

Congratulating parties on the Paris Agreement, COP 21 President Ségolène Royal reflected that “we are now on an irreversible path.” Looking ahead, she called on negotiators to act as “builders,” working from the foundation laid in Paris.

The Bonn Climate Talks are taking place from 16-26 May 2016. [IISD RS Coverage] [UNFCCC Press Release] [Meeting Webpage] [UNFCCC Press Release on APA Co-Chairs Nominations] [UN Press Release]


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