4 April 2013: The UNFCCC published the progress report of the Eighth Meeting of the Consultative Group of Experts on National Communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention (CGE), which took place in Bonn, Germany, from 25-26 February 2013. The report summarizes the meeting’s outcome and includes the CGE’s work programme for 2013.

The report features sections on the mandate and scope, proceedings and other business, such as development of the management strategy and communication and outreach. Two annexes contain the CGE’s thematic groups for 2013 and working groups for the development of the biennial update report (BUR) training materials.

The report highlights the CGE’s work programme for 2013, which includes the organization of training workshops on BURs and enhancing training materials on mitigation in relation to non-energy sectors. It reiterates the CGE’s recommendation that the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) request the CGE to develop a long term management or business plan to cover the CGE’s activities, including a communication and outreach strategy.

The CGE invites the SBI to take note of the CGE’s work programme for 2013 and to provide further guidance to the CGE on the implementation of its mandate. The report also suggests the SBI invite parties to provide financial resources to implement planned activities and to invite support programmes to collaborate with the CGE to provide technical support to non-Annex I Parties in preparing their national communications and BURs. [Progress report on the work of the CGE on National Communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention]