SBI Workshop on observer organizations: to further develop ways to enhance the engagement of observer organizations

Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) In-session workshop to further develop ways to enhance the engagement of observer organizations

Wednesday, 8 June 2011, Hotel Maritim, Bonn

The SBI agreed to convene an in-session workshop in 2011 to further develop ways to enhance the engagement of observers in accordance with Article 7, paragraph 6, of the Convention, including ideas for enhancing their existing means of participation, taking note of the discussions that took place during SBI 33, and requested that the report on the workshop be presented to it at its thirty-fourth session.

pdf-icon Agenda (201 kB) (as of 07 June 2011)

In-session workshop report (FCCC/SBI/2011/INF.7)

To view webcast of the in-session workshop please visit here. There are two sessions entitled "Subsidiary Body for Implementation in-session workshop to further develop ways to enhance the engagement of observer organizations" on Wednesday, 8 June 2011.

Background Information

Several categories of observer organizations attend sessions of the COP/CMP and its subsidiary bodies. These include representatives of United Nations secretariat units and bodies, such as UNDP, UNEP and UNCTAD, as well as its specialized agencies and related organizations, such as the GEF and WMO/UNEP Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Observer organizations also include intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), along with non-governmental organizations (NGOs). There are 1,409 NGOs and 86 IGOs admitted by the COP as observers.

The NGOs have formed themselves into nine loose groups with diverse but broadly clustered interests or perspectives. These constituencies mirror the nine major groups identified as stakeholders in Agenda 21. These are representatives from business and industry, environmental groups, farming and agriculture, indigenous populations, local governments and municipal authorities, research and academic institutes, labour unions, women and gender and youth groups. Constituency groupings have emerged from the above groups to facilitate interaction with the secretariat.

Background documents

Synthesis report on ways to enhance the engagement of observer organizations. Note by the secretariat. FCCC/SBI/2010/16

Submissions from Parties on ways to enhance the engagement of observer organizations. FCCC/SBI/2010/MISC.8

Submissions by intergovernmental organizations - see 2010, Arrangements for Intergovernmental Meetings - Ways to enhance the engagement of observer organizations

Submissions by non-governmental organizations - see 2010, Arrangements for Intergovernmental Meetings - Ways to enhance the engagement of observer organizations

Report of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation on its thirty-third session, held in Cancun from 30 November to 4 December 2010, paragraphs 135-152

Presentations, relevant documents and weblinks provided by presenters

Secretariat Presentations