March 2009: The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has released the report of the Multi-year Expert Meeting on Transport and Trade Facilitation, which was organized around the theme “Maritime Transport and the Climate Change Challenge” from 16-18 February 2009, in Geneva, Switzerland.

The meeting brought together about 180 delegates representing 60 countries, UN agencies, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and the international shipping and port industries. The meeting aimed to provide an opportunity for informal discussions on the best ways to address the climate change challenge from a maritime transport perspective, while bearing in mind the interests of developing countries. The report outlines the issues discussed at the meeting, including: greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping and the potential for control and reduction; potential approaches to mitigation in maritime transport; potential climate change impacts and approaches to adaptation in maritime transport; and cross-cutting issues, including costs and financing, technology and energy. [Meeting summary] [Meeting report]