4 May 2017: In preparation for the May 2017 Bonn Climate Change Conference, the UNFCCC Secretariat published two documents on engagement with non-state actors to enhance climate action: ‘Summary of cooperative activities with UN entities and intergovernmental organizations that contribute to the work under the Convention’ (FCCC/SBSTA/2017/INF.2); and ‘Views on opportunities to further enhance the effective engagement of non-Party stakeholders with a view to strengthening the implementation of the provisions of decision 1/CP.21′ (FCCC/SBI/2017/INF.3).

The first document, a note by the Secretariat, summarizes collaborative activities, initiatives and programmes with UN entities, convention Secretariats and intergovernmental organizations that enhance and contribute to work under the UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement since the convening of the 44th session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 44) in May 2016. Specifically, the document provides an overview of cooperative activities undertaken by the Secretariat, including those that support parties’ efforts to ratify the Paris Agreement. It elaborates on the following areas of cooperation: technology; climate finance; capacity building; Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE); adaptation; mitigation; transparency; climate knowledge, including science, research and systematic observation; gender; implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); and the Climate Action Agenda. It also includes a section on cooperation with UN Headquarters and other UN organizations, and subsections on: activities initiated by the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination; support to the Secretary-General; the Joint Liaison Group of the Rio Conventions; and the Environmental Management Group (EMG).

The second document summarizes efforts made by the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) to enhance the effectiveness of observer engagement and outcomes of the Paris Climate Change Conference relating to non-state actors. It synthesizes issues raised in the 43 proposals made by parties and non-parties on opportunities to further enhance effective non-party engagement in implementing the Paris Agreement. Some of the topics that the proposals address include: maximizing use of the diversity and expertise of non-state actors; contributions by non-parties to processes, including the nationally determined contribution (NDC) process, and discussions related to strengthening national action and enhancing ambition; increasing opportunities to provide input to parties, and into the intergovernmental process more generally; enhancing practices, processes and mechanisms that facilitate engagement; showcasing climate action in innovative ways; and non-party engagement in other intergovernmental processes. The report also includes an annex on available ways to engage observer organizations in the intergovernmental process. [Publication: Summary of Cooperative Activities with UN Entities and Intergovernmental Organizations that Contribute to the Work under the Convention] [Publication: Views on opportunities to further enhance the effective engagement of non-Party stakeholders with a view to strengthening the implementation of the provisions of decision 1/CP.21]