Archives
1st Part of the 26th Annual Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA)
The Council’s substantive discussions focused on the draft regulations for deep seabed mining, which will need to ensure environmental protection while balancing stakeholders’ interests. Delegates engaged in discussions over new proposals on regional environmental management plans (REMPs) and the financial model for mineral exploitation.
13th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP13)
Parties adopted the Gandhinagar Declaration calling for migratory species and “ecological connectivity” to be integrated and prioritized in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. Parties also added 10 new species to the Convention on Migratory Species Appendices, approved conservation plans for 14 species, and adopted other measures benefiting migratory species.
10th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF10)
Over 6 days, the 18,000 registered Forum participants unpacked the theme of “Cities of Opportunities: Connecting Culture and Innovation” in assemblies, dialogues, special sessions, roundtables and many side events. At the close of the Forum the Abu Dhabi Declared Actions were presented as the main outcome document.
32nd UN-Water Meeting
Participants at the 32nd UN-Water Meeting moved through a packed agenda focused on issues related to the UN-Water programme of work and the UN-Water 2030 Strategy, ways to accelerate progress on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 (clean water and sanitation) implementation, and ways to elevate and address water and sanitation challenges at the country and regional level in light of the UN reform process, among other issues.
57th Meeting of the GEF Council
The 57th meeting of the Global Environment Facility Council adopted a Work Program, comprising 48 projects and five programs, with total resources amounting to USD 588.5 million. The Council discussed a proposed private sector engagement strategy and heard updates by the Conventions on activities leading up to “super year 2020."
Oceans Action Day at COP 25
The 2019 Ocean Action Day, held during the Blue COP in Madrid, Spain, brought together ocean experts from around the world, to assess climate actions, identify gaps, and discuss the urgent actions necessary to address challenges related to the oceans-climate nexus.
Barcelona Convention COP 21 and its Protocols
Delegates to the Barcelona Convention adopted 14 decisions—one on the programme of work and budget for 2020-2021, and 13 thematic decisions, including on governance, an emissions control area for sulphur oxides, and marine pollution from land-based sources.
Chile/Madrid Climate Change Conference - December 2019
Disconnects between the demands of people, science, and what the process could deliver—and between countries that want to look to the future and those focused on the past—ultimately undermined the ability for the Chile/Madrid Climate Change Conference to deliver, despite COP 25 running nearly 40 hours overtime.