1 September 2016: The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Morocco have signed a host country agreement to convene the first meeting of the Ad Hoc Expert Group (AHEG) to launch the preparation of a preliminary text of a non-binding declaration on ethical principles related to climate change. During the signing, Eric Falt, UNESCO Assistant Director-General, underscored that the agreement will reinforce cooperation between UNESCO and Morocco to realize the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The 38th session of the General Conference of UNESCO, held in November 2015, invited UNESCO to begin preparing the declaration with the World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology, and in consultation with member States. The aim is to complement the Paris Agreement and submit the preliminary text to the 39th session of the General Conference in 2017.

The first AHEG meeting will take place in Rabat, Morocco, from 20-24 September 2016, and is being organized by the National Commission of Morocco for UNESCO, with support of UNESCO. A roundtable will also be convened on ‘Ethical Principles in Relation to Climate Change: Foundations and Perspectives’ with participation of climate change experts, scientists and ethicists. The outcome of the AHEG’s work will be sent to member States for comments after the meeting. [UNESCO Press Release] [AHEG Website] [Working Document for the First AHEG]