Highlights and images for 20 February 2024

On the second day of the sixth session of the Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR-6), the mood shifted from excitement to be back in Nairobi to an urgency in advancing text on draft resolutions as swiftly as possible so as not to leave substantive matters to be discussed at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). However, despite the anxiousness to delve into edits on the operative paragraphs, objections forced delegations to start with preambular paragraphs as it is customary in this forum, thus delaying discussions on more substantive issues until the end of the OECPR.

Want to dig deeper into today's talks? Read the full Earth Negotiations Bulletin daily report.

While the topics and issues ranged from hazardous pesticides, minerals and metals to political issues related to environmental justice, an overlapping theme that emerged from both working groups is how interconnected issues are. This was illustrated by the need for the OECPR to consider the different multilateral environmental agreements that address the issues tabled in draft resolutions, and navigate armed conflicts, the triple planetary crisis, and the impacts of these challenges across sectors and populations.

Most of the resolutions discussed during the morning and afternoon working group sessions proceeded smoothly, albeit not as fast as needed to complete the first readings by the next plenary. Discussions on two resolutions were rather heated: solar radiation modification and environmental assistance and recovery in areas affected by armed conflicts proved to be contentious topics in the morning.

On solar radiation modification, parties and observers expressed concerns over the controversial technology that might very well pose more risks than benefits, and were reluctant to move forward with the draft citing already ongoing work under the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). On environmental assistance and recovery in areas affected by armed conflicts, geopolitical conflict manifested through a number of proposals coming from parties currently affected by conflict, with certain parties voicing reservations and opposition to the suggestions.

Both workings groups reconvened late into the evening to continue discussions on resolutions addressing root causes and mitigating strategies of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss and pollution (Cluster D), as well as draft resolutions and draft decisions relating to procedural, budgetary, and administrative matters (Cluster E).