23 October 2009: The 35th Session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) General Conference convened at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, from 6-23 October 2009. A key climate-related outcome was in the field of social and human sciences, where the Conference requested an examination of the advisability of preparing a draft universal declaration of ethical principles in relation to climate change.

The decision (182 EX/56 Corr) requests the Director-General to consult with member States and other stakeholders and present to the Executive Board at its 184th session a report on the desirability of preparing a draft universal declaration of ethical principles in relation to climate change. According to the decision, the report should take into account the conclusions reached at the 15th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December 2009. [UNESCO press release] [35th General Conference website]