Archives
46th Session of the IPCC (IPCC-46)
As Hurricane Irma pounded the Caribbean, and weather and other natural disasters filled the news, delegates gathered in Montreal to approve the draft outlines of the three Working Group reports, which, together with the SYR, make up the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report
13th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNCCD (COP 13)
Both the CST and the CRIC completed their work ahead of schedule, while several decisions at the heart of the negotiations, including adoption of the 2018-2030 Strategic Framework, alignment of the Convention with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and improved reporting and monitoring procedures, were not as contentious as some expected. The heavy lifting done by the Intergovernmental Working Group on the future strategic framework―and the special methodological session of the CRIC in October 2016―appeared to have paid dividends in Ordos.
23rd Annual Session of the International Seabed Authority
Many delegates welcomed the public release of the draft exploitation regulations of marine minerals in the international seabed Area, which were open for stakeholder comment on the basis of a series of general and specific questions proposed by the Secretariat; and the Assembly decision on the periodic review of the International Seabed Authority, which addresses transparency and environmental issues. The decision also includes a revised meeting schedule, which is expected to engender a mutually responsive dialogue between the Commission and the Council on the draft exploitation regulations.