Farmers

The third session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD 3) opened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 17 May 2017. Held in preparation for the 2017 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the Forum is convening under the theme, “Ensuring inclusive and sustainable growth and prosperity for all.” Two pre-events were held: the Tenth Session of the Committee on Sustainable Development (CSD-10); and, Preparatory and Capacity Development Workshop for Major Groups and other Stakeholders. CSD-10 reviewed implementation of the 2016–2017 work programme of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) sub-programme on innovations, technologies and managing Africa’s natural resources. Issues discussed under this agenda item included the green economy and natural resources, new technologies and innovation, and climate change and development. Following this, delegates discussed the 2016-2017 work programme, provided guidance, and identified priority areas on work for the 2018–2019 biennium. The Preparatory and Capacity Building Workshop for Major Groups and other Stakeholders met to provide an opportunity to brief Major Groups and other Stakeholders on the follow-up and review process of the identified Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2017–2019, as well as review the African regional report on progress on implementation. Delegates also took part in a roundtable session and six breakout groups in order to share experiences and lessons learned on SDGs 1 (Poverty Eradication), 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 5 (Gender Equality), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and 14 (Life Below Water). Specific issues highlighted included: decent work as a cross-cutting issue among the SDGs; creating data collection infrastructure; accountability; and, “domesticating” international laws and agreements. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, has provided daily web coverage and a summary report from this meeting. The summary is now available in HTML and PDF. Photos by IISD/ENB | Francis Dejon For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page 10th Session of the Economic Commission for Africa Committee on Sustainable Development L-R: Fatima Denton, Director, Special Initiatives Division, Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA); Moubarack Lo, Senegal; and Nassim Oulmane, Chief of Green Economy and Natural Resources Section, UNECA Fatima Denton, UNECA Moubarack Lo, Senegal Presentation on the introduction to the ECA sub-programme on innovations, technologies and managing Africa's natural resources by Fatima Denton, UNECA Kasirim Nwuke, Chief of New Technologies and Innovation Section, UNECA Nassim Oulmane, UNECA Naimaton Bio Djara, Benin Esther Ikere Eluzai, South Sudan Rania Abdel Magied, Egypt Urias Sunday Goll, Liberia Azhari Omer Abdelbagi, Sudan Joseph Saturmin Dieme, Senegal L-R: Sebueng Chipeta; Christo Janse van Noordwyk; and Thabo Mogale, South Africa James Murombedzi, Acting Coordinator, African Climate Policy Centre Mohamed Yahiya Lafdal, Mauritania Preparatory and Capacity-Development Workshop for Major Groups and other Stakeholders in the Africa region L-R: Isabela Cunha, Division for Sustainable Development, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA); Aida Opoku-Mensah, Executive Secretary on the post-2015 development agenda, UNECA; Linus Mofor, Senior Expert, African Climate Policy Centre, UNECA, Facilitator; and Charles Akol, Green Economy and Natural Resources Section, UNECA Isabela Cunha, UNDESA Aida Opoku-Mensah, Executive Secretary on the post-2015 development agenda, UNECA Presentation on the global level follow-up to and review of the SDGs by Isabela Cunha, UNDESA Presentation on the regional report on progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 by Bartholomew Armah, Macroeconomic Policy Division, UNECA L-R: Ingrid Coetzee, ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, South Africa; Dyborn Charlie Chibonga, World Farmers' Organization, Malawi; Priscilla Achakpa, Women Environmental Programme, Nigeria; Stephen Chacha, African Philanthropic Foundation, Tanzania; Daniel Nyanganyura, International Council for Science; Guendouz Siham, African Youth Network for Sustainable Development, Algeria Alex Richard Nkosi, African Regional Organization of the Iternational Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa), Togo Stephen Chacha, African Philanthropic Foundation, Tanzania Lucy Mulenkei, Indigenous Information Network Mamadou Abdoulaye Mbengue, ENDA Tiers Monde Janice Cox, World Animal Net Breakout group discussing SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) Breakout group discussing SDG 5 (Gender Equality) Damaris Uja, Women Environmental Programme, presenting the outcome of the breakout group on gender equality Naonie Chakanya, LEDRIZ, presenting the outcome of the breakout group on industry, innovation and infrastructure L-R: Isabela Cunha, UNDESA; Fatima Denton, UNECA; and Stephen Chacha, African Philanthropic Foundation, Tanzania

The Bonn Climate Change Conference continued on Thursday. Informal consultations met throughout the day to discuss issues under the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA), the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA). The APA contact group met during the afternoon to take stock of progress. Several mandated events also met, including: an in-session workshop to develop possible elements of the gender action plan under the UNFCCC; two Technical Expert Meetings (TEMs) on mitigation, focusing on attracting private sector investors and business solutions for ambitious mitigation actions in land use and building partnerships to accelerate implementation; and the first meeting of the Paris Committee on Capacity-building. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB Meeting Coverage, provided digital coverage, daily reports and a summary and analysis report from the Bonn Climate Change Conference - May 2017. Photos by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Technical Expert Meeting (TEM) on Mitigation: Private Sector Engagement Panel speakers for the TEM on mitigation, focused on attracting private sector investors and business solutions for ambitious mitigation actions in land use Katia Simeonova, UNFCCC Secretariat Matthew Reddy, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Theo de Jager, World Farmers' Organization Conor Lennon, WBCSD Romano De Vivo, Syngenta Participants during the session First Meeting of the Paris Committee on Capacity-building (PCCB) Members of the PCCB Rita Mishaan, Guatemala Co-Chair Mohamed Nbou, Morocco Co-Chair Matti Nummelin, Finland Marzena Chodor, Poland Crispin d'Auvergne, Saint Lucia Mahawan Karuniasa, Indonesia Richard Mfumu Lungu, Zambia Renilde Ndayishimiye, Burundi Participants during the session Informal Consultations throughout the Day APA informal consultations on adaptation communications APA informal consultations on the global stocktake APA informal consultations on modalities, procedures and guidelines for the transparency framework APA informal consultation on further matters In-Session Workshop: Gender Action Plan under the UNFCCC On the second day of the in-session workshop focused on gender, participants broke out into small groups to discuss a variety of themes, including capacity building, gender-responsive implementation, gender balance and participation, and monitoring and reporting. Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA) Contact Group Delegates gather for the APA contact group APA Co-Chair Sarah Baashan, Saudi Arabia APA Co-Chair Jo Tyndall, New Zealand, and Co-Facilitator for agenda item 8 - other matters Andrew Rakestraw, US, Co-Facilitator for APA agenda item 5 - transparency framework Beth Lavender, Canada, Co-Facilitator for APA agenda item 4 - adaptation communications Peter Horne, Australia, Co-Facilitator for APA agenda item 7 - committee to facilitate implementation and promote compliance Pieter Terpstra, the Netherlands, Co-Facilitator for APA agenda item 8 - further matters, Adaptation Fund Jacob Werksman, EU Ilze Prūse, Latvia, Co-Facilitator for APA agenda item 6 - global stocktake Gertraud Wollansky, Austria, Co-Facilitator for APA agenda item 3 - mitigation Walter Espinel, Ecuador, speaking on behalf of the G-77/China Raed Albasseet, Saudi Arabia, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group Majid Shafie-Pour, Iran, speaking on behalf of the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs) Dina Spörri, Switzerland, speaking on behalf of the Environmental Integrity Group (EIG) APA family photo Civil Society Demonstration Members of civil society line the stairs calling for nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to go up, reminding delegates they must not 'back out' of their commitments Around the Venue Ian Fry, Tuvalu Tosi Mpanu-Mpanu, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Marcela Main Sancha, UNFCCC Secretariat Members of civil society meet in the corridors Teresa Jane Hannaway, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the youngest delegate attending the meeting Jukka Uosukainen, Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), speaks with SBSTA Chair Carlos Fuller, Belize Delegates between sessions Delegates meet informally

The Bonn Climate Change Conference continued Tuesday. In the morning, the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA) contact group and Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) plenary convened. Contact groups and informal consultations convened throughout the day. Several mandated events convened throughout the day. Two Technical Expert Meeting (TEMs) on mitigation, focusing on city-level collaboration to achieve emission reductions and sustainable development, and on innovative policy and technology solutions for sustainable urban development. Other mandated events included the meeting of the Technical Expert Group on the impact of the implementation of response measures. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB Meeting Coverage, provided digital coverage, daily reports and a summary and analysis report from the Bonn Climate Change Conference - May 2017. Photos by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA) Contact Group View of the dais during the APA contact group APA Co-Chair Jo Tyndall, New Zealand APA Co-Chair Sarah Baashan, Saudi Arabia Raed Albasseet, Saudi Arabia Felipe Ferreira, Brazil Collin Beck, Solomon Islands Ravi Prasad, India Chen Zhihua, China Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) Plenary View of the dais during the SBI plenary Chan-Woo Kim, Republic of Korea, speaking on behalf of the Environmental Integrity Group (EIG) SBI Chair Tomasz Chruszczow, Poland Simone Borg, EU Gebru Jember, Ethiopia, speaking on behalf of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) Amjad Abdulla, Maldives, speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Isabel Di Carlo Quero, Venezuela, speaking on behalf of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) Ndivile Colia Mokoena, Women and Gender Ceris Jones, Farmers Alberto Saldamando, Indigenous Peoples Sara Kupka, Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Roundtable Discussions among Parties in Relation to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement Panel speakers (L-R): Amy Steen, UNFCCC Secretariat; Co-Facilitator Hugh Sealy, Maldives; Co-Facilitator Kelley Kizzier, EU; and Phillip Eyre, UNFCCC Secretariat Delegates participate in roundtable discussions Contact Groups throughout the Day SBI/Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) contact group on the implementation of response measures SBSTA contact group on the modalities for the accounting of financial resources (Paris Agreement Article 9.7) Arrangements for Intergovernmental Meetings (AIM) Workshop View of the panel during the in-session workshop 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. Inia Seruiratu, Minister of Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management, and High-Level Climate Champion, Fiji UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa Kalyani Raj, All India Women’s Conference, Women and Gender Walter Schuldt-Espinel, Ecuador, on behalf of the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs)  Ulrik Lenaerts, EU Norine Kennedy, US Council for International Business, Business and Industry NGOs (BINGO) Yunus Arikan, Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), LGMA Marcos Montoiro, UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Technical Expert Meeting (TEM) on Mitigation Delegates gather for the TEM on mitigation, innovative policy and technology solutions for sustainable urban development Stella Gama, Technology Executive Committee Winfried Damm, GIZ Proklima Xiaomei Duan, Far East BRT Planning Company, China Johnny Stuen, Municipality's Waste-to-Energy Agency, City of Oslo, Norway Around the Venue A delegate reviews the schedule at the start of the day Delegates from Tajikistan Issa Aliyev, Azerbaijan, and Talieh Wögerbauer, Austria Yunus Arikan, ICLEI, and Kimo Goree, Vice-President, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa speaks with Oleg Shamanov, Russian Federation Maesela Kekana and Alf Wills, South Africa Delegates read the IISD Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) website and daily report to keep track of negotiations Delegates between sessions Amjad Abdulla, Maldives

On Thursday, the Working Group met in morning, afternoon and evening sessions. Participants concluded a second reading of the third draft revised Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA). Among other items, they addressed provisions on: withdrawal from and termination of the SMTA; rates and modalities of payment arising from commercialization; and terms and conditions of a subscription system. Participants then discussed the proposed launch mechanism for an enhanced Multilateral System, aiming to generate funds for the Benefit-Sharing Fund and expand the Treaty’s crop coverage. Most regions expressed their support for such a mechanism in principle. Africa expressed doubts on whether the timeline and plan proposed is realistic and, with India, proposed that a charge on seed sales in each country can be used to fund contributions to the Benefit-Sharing Fund. Participants finally held a discussion on genetic information associated with material accessed from the Multilateral System. Some regions urged addressing the matter in the revised SMTA, while others highlighted the need for additional information and further discussion. IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) Meeting Coverage, provided digital coverage and a summary and analysis report from OWG-EFMLS-6, which is available in HTML and PDF. Photos by IISD/ENB | Mike Muzurakis For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page. From L-R: Álvaro Toledo, ITPGRFA Secretariat; Tobias Kiene, ITPGRFA Secretariat; Javad Mozafari, Working Group Co-Chair; Bert Visser, Working Group Co-Chair; and Kent Nnadozie, ITPGRFA Secretary Ad-Interim Thomas Meier, European Region, with Michael Halewood, CGIAR Consortium Dan Leskien, Secretariat of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) and Irene Hoffmann, CGRFA Secretary Participants networking Felicitas Katepa-Mupondwa, North America Region Javad Mozafari, Working Group Co-Chair Edward Hammond, Civil Society José Francisco Montenegro Valls, Latin America and the Caribbean Region Pierre du Plessis, Africa Region Catherine Karr-Colque, North America Region Akio Yamamoto, Asia Region Frank Michiels, Bayer Corporation, with John Duesing, DuPont Pioneer Carolina Rodríguez, International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), with Paul Olson, Seed Industry Patricia Larbouret, European Region Bert Visser, Working Group Co-Chair Tamira Ford, South West Pacific Region Guy Kastler, Farmers Organizations Thomas Nickson, Seed Industry Kuldeep Singh, Asia Region Marliese von den Driesch, Thomas Meier and Patricia Larbouret, European Region Participants networking during the lunch break Ali Chehade, Near East Region and Cheikh Alassane Fall, Africa Region Kent Nnadozie, ITPGRFA Secretary Ad-Interim, with Pierre du Plessis, Africa Region Hélène Guillot and Szonja Csörgő, Seed Industry Participants networking during the lunch break Paul Olson, Seed Industry, Frank Michiels, Bayer Corporation, and Kent Nnadozie, ITPGRFA Secretary Ad-Interim Marliese von den Driesch and Thomas Meier, European Region Around the Venue

On Wednesday, the Working Group held text-based negotiations on the third draft revised Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA) in morning, afternoon and evening sessions. Participants addressed SMTA provisions on, among others: the rights and obligations of the recipient of material from the Multilateral System; obligations in cases of transfers of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture under development; and options regarding payments from commercialization in cases the product is available or not for further research and breeding. They debated whether the subscription system should be the only access mechanism or alternative access mechanisms should be retained; and addressed SMTA annexes on: the list of materials provided; rates and modalities of payment arising from commercialization; terms and conditions of the subscription system; and the registration form to the subscription system. A lunch-time side event organized by the ITPGRFA Secretariat, in collaboration with the Center of Science, Technology and Environmental Policy Studies at Arizona State University, aimed at generating knowledge and improving understanding of issues around access and use of genetic information, and the related technological, institutional and legal landscapes. IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) Meeting Coverage, provided digital coverage and a summary and analysis report from OWG-EFMLS-6, which is available in HTML and PDF. Photos by IISD/ENB | Mike Muzurakis For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page. From L-R: Tobias Kiene, ITPGRFA Secretariat; Álvaro Toledo, ITPGRFA Secretariat; Bert Visser, Working Group Co-Chair; and Javad Mozafari, Working Group Co-Chair Daniele Manzella, ITPGRFA Secretariat, with Kathryn Garforth, CBD Secretariat View of the dais during the morning session François Meienberg, Civil Society Thomas Meier, European Region Felicitas Katepa-Mupondwa, North America Region Pierre du Plessis, Africa Region José Francisco Montenegro Valls, Latin America and the Caribbean Region Bert Visser, Working Group Co-Chair Tamira Ford, South West Pacific Region Guy Kastler, Farmers Organizations Kuldeep Singh, Asia Region Cheikh Alassane Fall, Africa Region Catherine Karr-Colque, North America Region Patricia Larbouret, European Region Michael Halewood, CGIAR Consortium Ali Chehade, Near East Region Akio Yamamoto, Asia Region Javad Mozafari, Working Group Co-Chair Side Event: The Technological, Institutional and Legal Landscapes of Genetic Information: Research Directions for the International Treaty From L-R: Carlos Correa, Chair of the event; Kent Nnadozie, ITPGRFA Secretary Ad-Interim; Irene Hoffman, CGRFA Secretariat; and Kathryn Garforth, CBD Secretariat Todd Kuiken, North Carolina State University Carlos Correa, Chair of the event Eric Welch, Arizona State University Sélim Louafi, CIRAD (Agricultural Research for Development) Margo Bagley, Emory University View of the room during the side event Around the Venue

On Tuesday, 14 March, Working Group Co-Chairs Bert Visser (the Netherlands) and Javad Mozafari (Iran) opened the meeting, noting: the Working Group’s mandate to come to an agreement on a final package of a revised draft Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA) text and additional recommendations to be submitted to the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA); and intersessional work done by several Friends of the Co-Chairs groups and the Standing Group of Legal Experts. Kent Nnadozie, ITPGRFA Secretary Ad-Interim, stressed the spirit of collaboration that has prevailed in the deliberations so far. During morning and afternoon sessions, the Working Group discussed coverage of the Multilateral System (MLS) vis-à-vis the scope of the Treaty; and issues arising from the revised SMTA, with a focus on the subscription system. North America highlighted that the US has become the latest member of the Treaty. On coverage of the MLS, discussion focused on the approach and necessary conditions to expand coverage; and the legal mechanism to be used, namely an amendment or a protocol to the Treaty. Discussion on the approach to expand coverage addressed, among other issues, whether to expand it to “all” plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA), and the definition of PGRFA, including in relation to crop wild relatives. On the legal mechanism, there was general agreement that any expansion should be done in the easiest and most effective way, with many identifying the need for better understanding the arguments for and against both options. The Working Group then initiated deliberations on the revised SMTA. Delegates heard reports from Friends of the Co-Chairs groups on access mechanisms and payment rates, and the termination clause; and discussed questions with the Standing Group of Legal Experts, including on the compatibility of the subscription system and advance payments with the Treaty text. An informal evening session held discussions on expanding MLS coverage. IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) Meeting Coverage, provided digital coverage and a summary and analysis report from OWG-EFMLS-6, which is available in HTML and PDF. Photos by IISD/ENB | Mike Muzurakis For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page. From L-R: Tobias Kiene, ITPGRFA Secretariat; Javad Mozafari, Working Group Co-Chair; Bert Visser, Working Group Co-Chair; Kent Nnadozie, ITPGRFA Secretary Ad-Interim; Álvaro Toledo, ITPGRFA Secretariat Catherine Karr-Colque and Felicitas Katepa-Mupondwa, North America Region Alwin Kopse, European Region, with Sélim Louafi, CIRAD (Agricultural Research for Development) Bert Visser, Working Group Co-Chair Javad Mozafari, Working Group Co-Chair Kent Nnadozie, ITPGRFA Secretary Ad-Interim César Tapia Bastidas, Latin America and the Caribbean Region Pierre du Plessis, Africa Region Tobias Kiene, ITPGRFA Secretariat Catherine Karr-Colque, North America Region Modesto Fernández, Cuba, on behalf of the Friends of the Co-Chairs Group on the scope of the Multilateral System Kuldeep Singh, Asia Region Gerald Moore, Facilitator of the Standing Group of Legal Experts Patricia Larbouret, European Region Edward Hammond, Third World Network, with Dan Leskien, Secretariat of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Anke van den Hurk, Seed Industry Thomas Meier, European Region Cheikh Alassane Fall, Africa Region Michael Halewood, CGIAR Consortium Carlos Correa, speaking on behalf of the Standing Group of Legal Experts Guy Kastler, Farmers Organizations Kim van Seeters, the Netherlands Participants networking during the lunch break Delegates from the Latin America and the Caribbean Region Around the Venue View from the terrace of the FAO Headquarters The "Campana della Pace" in front of the Preamble to the FAO Constitution Fragment of the statue of Hercules