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Climate change secretariat moves to new HQ, Annex building in the
making
In October 2013, the Executive Secretary and 300 of her staff moved into
the new HQ, "Altes Abgeordnetenhochhaus" (AH). In 10 years of planning and
reconstruction, AH was rehabilitated to high environmental standards. UNFCCC is now
accommodated together with all other Bonn-based UN entities on Bonn's UN campus at the new
address "Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1" (United Nations Square). The remaining 250
UNFCCC staff will stay at the secretariat's old home 5km away until a new Annex on the UN
campus is completed in 2017. The design of the Annex building has been awarded, in an
international competition, to architect Stephan Lippert of Berlin.
More on the Annex building
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Micronesia (Federated States of) seventh Party to accept Doha Amendment
19 February 2014
Micronesia (Federated States of) has become the fifth party to the Kyoto Protocol to formally
accept the amendment to the Protocol adopted at the eighth session of the Conference of the
Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol in Doha, Qatar. Micronesia
deposited its instrument of acceptance on 19 February 2014. The amendment is expected to enter
into force after three quarters of the Parties to the Protocol submit their instruments of
acceptance to the Depositary.
More on
the Doha Amendment
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Monaco fifth Party to accept Doha Amendment
27 December 2013
Monaco has become the fifth party to the Kyoto Protocol to formally accept the amendment to the
Protocol adopted at the eighth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting
of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol in Doha, Qatar. Monaco deposited its instrument of
acceptance on 27 December 2013. The amendment is expected to enter into force after three
quarters of the Parties to the Protocol submit their instruments of acceptance to the
Depositary.
More on the Doha
Amendment
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Announcing video release of highlights from the first Adaptation
Forum
29 November 2013
Bonn, Germany
The UNFCCC Adaptation Committee announces the release of highlights from its first Adaptation
Forum, held on 19 November 2013 at the Palace of Science and Culture in Warsaw, Poland, on
the margins of COP 19. The forum aims to raise the awareness and profile of adaptation
globally. The first part of this year's Forum brought together a panel of leaders and
visionaries to elaborate their ideas for a resilient future, whilst the second part allowed
Adaptation Committee members and the audience to voice their visions for the future.
More on the Adaptation
Forum
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Climate Technology Centre and Network open for business
21 November
2013
Warsaw, Poland
The Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), the operational arm of the Technology
Mechanism, will be open for business as of 9 December 2013 to receive technology transfer
support requests from developing countries. Developing countries will be able to access the
services of the CTCN through their National Designated Entities.
More information
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NEW NAMA guidebook launched
18 November 2013
Warsaw, Poland
The UNFCCC Secretariat in collaboration with the UNDP and the UNEP- Risø Center has
launched a publication entitled 'NAMA Design: Building on Country
Experiences', which provides governments and organizations with practical approaches
to the conceptualization, design and implementation of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation
Actions (NAMAs).
Download NAMA guidebook
here
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Bangladesh fourth Party to accept Doha Amendment
13 November 2013
Bangladesh has become the fourth party to the Kyoto Protocol to formally accept the amendment
to the Protocol adopted at the eighth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the
meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol in Doha, Qatar. Bangladesh deposited its
instrument of acceptance on 13 November 2013. The amendment is expected to enter into force
after three quarters of the Parties to the Protocol submit their instruments of acceptance to
the Depositary.
More on the Doha
Amendment
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Second in-session workshop under the structured expert dialogue of the 2013-2015
review
12/13 November 2013
Warsaw, Poland
The second meeting of the
structured expert dialogue focused on assessing the adequacy of the long-term global goal
(LTGG) in light of the latest IPCC Assessment Report on the
physical science of climate change. Additionally, it focused on assessing overall progress
made to date towards achieving the LTGG, including the likelihood of meeting and maintaining
the goal, as well as on sharing lessons learned on the effectiveness of support provided for
this.
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SBI workshop to further the understanding of the diversity of NAMAs
11
November 2013
Warsaw, Poland
During the workshop,
developing countries provided an update on activities to implement Nationally Appropriate
Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) at the national level. Several countries demonstrated progress in
moving forward with their mitigation agenda in response to negotiations under the Bali Action
Plan and demonstrated actions being undertaken on different fronts. It was noted, however,
that efforts to support developing countries in implementing NAMAs will be crucial for the
Convention to meet its objective.
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Seventy-sixth meeting of the CDM Executive Board (CDM-EB 76)
4-8
November 2013
Warsaw, Poland
At its
seventy-sixth meeting, the CDM Executive Board agreed on a management plan designed to
further improve the clean development mechanism (CDM) and find additional demand for
certified emission reductions (CERs).The plan is designed to deliver on a two-year business
plan agreed by the Board in October that aims to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of
the CDM validation and verification standards and procedures, and facilitate the acceptance
of CERs for compliance and voluntary purposes.
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First thematic report by the Adaptation Committee on the State of Adaptation under the
Convention published
7 November 2013
Bonn, Germany
The UNFCCC Adaptation Committee has launched a new report designed to increase awareness of the
UNFCCC's evolving adaptation agenda and to encourage enhanced contributions to the global
effort of responding to the adaptation challenge.
Download
report
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Portal on cooperative initiatives issued
6 November 2013
Bonn, Germany
The secretariat has made available a portal on cooperative initiatives in order to present
information on additional cooperative climate actions undertaken around the world at various
levels by governments, international organizations and civil society.
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NAMA registry now released and publicly available
16 October 2013
Bonn, Germany
The NAMA registry has now been released as a fully functional, public, web-based platform. This
follows the successful completion of the prototype phase of the registry. You can view the
registry and its content here.
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CDM Executive Board agrees two-year plan to improve, safeguard CDM
30
September - 4 October 2013
Bonn, Germany
The CDM Executive Board agreed at its seventy-fifth meeting on a two-year plan designed to
ensure the clean development mechanism remains an effective tool that countries and the private
sector can use to mitigate climate change and contribute to sustainable development
worldwide.
More information
 View webcast
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Thirteenth meeting of the plenary of the Compliance Committee of the Kyoto
Protocol
17-18 September 2013
Bonn, Germany
At its 13th meeting, the plenary adopted the eighth annual report of the Compliance Committee
to the CMP. The report brings to the attention of the CMP a number of issues, including
proposed amendments to the Committee's rules of procedure.
More
information
View
webcast
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Fourteenth meeting of the facilitative branch of the Compliance Committee of the Kyoto
Protocol
16 September 2013
Bonn, Germany
Among other things, the branch decided to review the information that had been previously
before it with respect to Austria, Croatia and Italy and agreed that it was insufficient to
begin an exercise on early warning of potential non-compliance with respect to these
Parties' QELROs for the first commitment period. The branch agreed to revisit the matter at
its next meeting in March 2014, when additional information would be available.
More
information
View
webcast
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Final Fast-start Finance Information Document now available
This final
fast-start finance information document contains information from developed country Parties on
the funds provided in the context of their fast-start finance commitment to provide new and
additional resources, including forestry and investments, approaching USD 30 billion for the
period 2010-2012 and with balanced allocation between mitigation and adaptation.
More
information
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Wrap-up event of the work programme on Long-term Finance
10-12 September
2013
Incheon, Republic of Korea
The extended work programme on long-term finance concluded its technical and analytical
discussions at its wrap-up event in Incheon, Republic of Korea. The event further addressed
ways to mobilize the necessary financial resources to fund climate change adaptation and
mitigation measures in developing countries.
Read more, view
webcast and video summary
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2nd meeting of the Advisory Board of the Climate Technology Centre and Network
(CTCN)
9-11 September 2013
Bonn, Germany
At its 2nd meeting, the CTCN-AB was able to agree and
finalize a number of mandated activities for delivery to Warsaw, including: the modalities and
procedures of the CTCN; the criteria for prioritizing countries' requests to CTCN; the
criteria for establishing the Network; and the draft work programme of the CTCN. The board also
discussed the operationalization of the CTCN , including recruitment of staff.
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7th meeting of the Technology Executive Committee (TEC)
4-7 September
2013
Bonn, Germany
At its 7th
meeting, the TEC identified key
messages to be included in the joint TEC-CTCN report to the COP. It
also considered elements of the new 2014–2015 rolling workplan; finalized briefs on
Technology Needs
Assessments and technology roadmaps; discussed possible linkages with the CTCN and other
bodies under and outside the Convention; and discussed further possible work on research,
development and demonstration of environmentally sound technologies.
View
webcast
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Mauritius third Party to accept Doha Amendment
5 September 2013
Mauritius has become the third party to the Kyoto Protocol to formally accept the amendment to
the Protocol adopted at the eighth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the
meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol in Doha, Qatar. Mauritius deposited its instrument
of acceptance on 5 September 2013. The amendment is expected to enter into force after three
quarters of the Parties to the Protocol submit their instruments of acceptance to the
Depositary.
More on the Doha
Amendment
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Fifth meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance
27-30 August,
2013
Bonn, Germany
At its fifth
meeting, the Standing Committee on Finance advanced discussion on a number of issues. These
included: COP-GCF arrangements; guidance to the operating entities under the Convention (GEF
and GCF); updated guidelines for the fifth review of the financial mechanism; biennial
assessments and overview of climate finance flows; and the second SCF forum.
View
webcast
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Second Meeting of Experts on Long-term Finance
19-20 August 2013
Bonn, Germany
Following the first meeting in July, the second meeting of
experts on long-term finance looked at ways to mobilize the necessary financial resources
to fund climate change adaptation and mitigation measures in developing countries.
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Asia and the Pacific regional NAMA workshop
13-15 August 2013
Singapore
The 2013 Asian regional capacity
building workshop on nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs) by developing
country Parties was held in Singapore. Among the topics covered were: updates on national
implementation efforts; institutional arrangements for NAMA preparation and implementation;
measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) of NAMAs; and use of the NAMA registry. The next
regional NAMA workshop will be held in Mexico in September.
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Barbados second Party to accept Doha Amendment
14 August 2013
Barbados has become the second party to the Kyoto Protocol to formally accept the amendment to
the Protocol adopted at the eighth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the
meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol in Doha, Qatar. Barbados deposited its instrument
of acceptance on 14 August 2013. The amendment is expected to enter into force after three
quarters of the Parties to the Protocol submit their instruments of acceptance to the
Depositary.
More on the Doha
Amendment
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ADP Co-Chairs' Note on progress
13 August 2013
In handing over their responsibilities as ADP Co-Chairs, Mr. Jayant Moreshver Mauskar (India)
and Mr. Harald Dovland (Norway) prepared a note on progress providing their perceptions of and
reflections on the progress made by the ADP in its first year. The Co-Chairs observe that the
ADP has laid the foundations and is ready to shift gears and move on to defining the content of
the 2015 agreement and deciding on concrete steps regarding pre-2020 ambition.
Informal
note
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First support entries published in the NAMA registry
2 August 2013
The prototype NAMA
registry has received its first entries on support available for NAMAS, marking an
important milestone in the ongoing development and implementation of the registry. The entries
cover support from the German Environment Ministry (BMU). The prototype NAMA registry is only
available to registered users but will be publicly available in October 2013.
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CDM Executive Board wraps up 74th meeting
26 July 2013
Interest in the CDM in Africa remains hot despite a cooling in the market for the credits
produced by CDM projects, according to information presented to the CDM Executive Board at its
74th meeting. During the meeting, the Board also adopted revisions to two standards and adopted
a revised procedure for accreditation of the third-party entities that validate projects and
verify emission reductions.
More
 View
webcast
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First Meeting of Experts on Long-term Finance
16-17 July 2013
Makati City, Philippines
The first meeting of
experts on long-term finance, hosted by the Climate Change Commission, examined ways to mobilize the
necessary financial resources to fund climate change adaptation and mitigation measures in
developing countries.
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Call for
submissions by regional institutions and United Nations agencies on current support for
adaptation in developing countries:
16 July 2013
As part of its work plan, the Adaptation Committee is inviting regional institutions and United
Nations agencies to communicate their current support for adaptation in developing countries.
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United Nations take over new Climate Change Secretariat HQ
15 July
2013
Following a more
ceremonial hand-over last October, the German Government has now physically transferred
authority over the Altes Abgeordnetenhochhaus building to the United Nations, for occupancy and
use by the UNFCCC secretariat. Still, about half of the UNFCCC staff will remain in its old
home, Haus Carstanjen, until a new building is erected on the UN Campus in Bonn. A contest for
this new building is under way, and the best architectural designs will be selected in
September this year.
More (84 kB)
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Question of implementation with respect to Slovakia resolved at 23rd meeting of
Compliance Committee enforcement branch
3-4 July 2013
In July 2012, when considering questions of
implementation indicated in the 2011 annual review report of Slovakia, the enforcement
branch of the Compliance Committee had declared Slovakia to be in non-compliance. At its 23rd
meeting, the branch concluded that there is no longer a question of implementation with respect
to Slovakia.
View webcast
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Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) selected at fourth meeting of the
GCF Board.
26-28 June 2013
At the fourth meeting of the GCF Board, Ms. Hela
Cheikhrouhou was selected as Executive Director of the Fund. Agreement was reached on a number
of issues, including matters related to the administrative policies and procedures of the
independent secretariat, the business model framework, as well as the relationship with the
thematic bodies under the Convention and external bodies. Regarding the Fund's logo, the
deadline for submissions was extended until 28 July 2013.
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Sixth meeting of the Technology Executive Committee (TEC)
26-28 June
2013
At its sixth meeting, the TEC focused its discussion on activities that would allow it to
complete its 2012-2013 rolling workplan by the end of the year. Items under discussion at the
meeting included technology briefs, technology needs assessments and collaboration with other
institutional arrangements. The meeting also incorporated a thematic dialogue on research,
development and demonstration of environmentally sound technologies. More
information and webcast.
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First forum of the Standing Committee on Finance
Video recordings from
the first forum of the Standing Committee on Finance - held 28 May 2013 in Barcelona, Spain, in
conjunction with the Carbon Expo - are now available. The Forum focused mainly on the issue of
mobilizing finance and investments for climate action now.
View
videos
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Fourth meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance
15-17 June 2013
The fourth meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) was characterized by lively
discussions on the first forum of the SCF, the arrangements between the COP and the Green
Climate Fund, the work programme on long-term finance, MRV of support, as well as a code of
conduct for the SCF. More
information plus webcast.
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1st Dialogue on Article 6 of the Convention (continued)
11 June
2013
The
second part of the 1st Dialogue on Article 6 of the Convention focused on climate change
training, as well as enhancing international cooperation on climate change education and
training. Creating public awareness and enabling public participation in climate change
decision-making is essential for strong climate action.
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Long-term finance Co-Chairs' two-part event
4 & 10 June
2013
The Co-Chairs of the work programme on long-term finance (LTF) held a two-part event
on LTF during SB 38, drawing participation from Parties and climate finance stakeholders. The
first part of the event focused on pathways for mobilizing climate finance, while the second
part focused on enabling environments and policy frameworks.
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ADP workstream 2 round table on pre-2020 ambition
10 June 2013
In the context of building a practical approach to pre-2020 ambition on emission reductions,
discussions at this
round table continued on the issue of enhancing finance, technology and capacity building
support for developing countries.
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ADP workstream 1 round table on linkages
10 June 2013
At a round table on linkages held under the ADP workstream 1, Parties gave their views on how a
2015 climate agreement can link to existing institutions and arrangements under the Convention
framework.
Upcoming ADP meetings during
the Bonn session
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1st Dialogue on Article 6 of the Convention
10 June 2013
Part one of the 1st Dialogue on Article 6 of the Convention took place on 10 June in Bonn.
The Dialogue, which will be an annual event, provides a platform for Parties, intergovernmental
and non-governmental organizations to exchange knowledge and experiences in order to promote
education, training and public awareness on climate change.
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Workshop on results-based finance for implementing REDD+
10 June
2013
A
workshop held during the Bonn session examined the issue of coordination of support for
actions taken by developing countries to reduce emissions related to the forest sector, known
as REDD+ activities.
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Workshop on the review of CDM modalities and procedures
9 June 2013
Participants at a two-day workshop held from 8-9 June in Bonn discussed
opportunities to build on the achievements of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), while
adjusting to the opportunities and challenges arising from the evolving international climate
regime.
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During UNFCCC's SB 38 meeting in Bonn, the ADP Co-Chairs Jayant Moreshver Mauskar (India)
and Harald Dovland (Norway) convened a special event with
observers (75 kB) on 8 June (13:15 - 14:45 local Bonn time). This special event provided
observers with an opportunity to present concrete ideas and proposals of how non-State actors
can further contribute to collective action on climate change and how such action could be
enhanced and promoted. Observers not physically present in the room were invited to participate
virtually with the help of webcast and Twitter.
More information
 View
on-demand webcast
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ADP workstream 1 round tables on variety of enhanced actions
8 June
2013
The focus at the
round table part 3 on the theme of enhanced actions was on managing ambition in accordance
with science and equity, while
part four examined enablement and support of enhanced actions.
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ADP workstream 2 round table on building a practical approach to
increasing pre-2020 ambition
8 June 2013
This
round table took forward the debate on closing the gap between what is required to keep the
world below a maximum two degrees Celsius temperature rise and current pledges. Governments
also examined means of enhancing climate finance, technology and capacity-building to enable
developing countries to adapt to climate change and green their economies.
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ADP workshop on energy transformation
7 June 2013
The ADP held its
third workshop on workstream 2, relating to increasing pre-2020 ambition, with a focus on
energy transformation, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and the consideration of
carbon capture and storage.
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Workshop on improving support for REDD+ activities
7 June 2013
A workshop was held
during the Bonn session on ways to improve the coordination of financial and technological
support for REDD+ activities, such as reducing emissions from deforestation and forest
degradation; sustainable management of forests; and conservation and enhancement of forest
carbon stocks.
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Response measures in-forum expert meeting
7 June 2013
Following two workshops earlier in the Bonn session, the forum on the impact of the
implementation of response measures held an expert meeting focusing on economic
modelling and socio-economic trends.
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Non-Annex I inventory software (NAIIS) web application now operational
6
June 2013
The secretariat has launched the Non-Annex I Inventory Software (NAIIS) web application to
facilitate non-Annex I Parties in estimating and reporting their national GHG inventories as a
part of their national communications.
Further information on the NAIIS web application
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ADP round table on workstream 1: Variety of actions
6 June 2013
The
workstream 1 round table discussions on variety of enhanced actions continued in Bonn on
Thursday 6 June, with a focus on transparency and accountability. Parties explored related
proposals and ideas, including that of a possible process to assess and adjust enhanced
actions.
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ADP workshop on enhancing adaptation through the 2015 agreement
6 June
2013
A
workshop on enhancing adaptation through the 2015 agreement, held in Bonn, looked at how to
enhance adaptation through the 2015 agreement in a manner that achieves balance between
adaptation and mitigation, including through strengthening existing institutions, arrangements
and support. Parties agreed that adaptation should be an integral part of a new agreement.
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Event on quantified economy-wide emission reduction targets by developed country
Parties
6 June 2013
At an in-session
event in Bonn, Parties continued work on the clarification of quantified economy-wide
emission reduction targets by developed country Parties, with a specific view to identifying
common elements for measuring progress towards reaching these targets and ensuring
comparability of efforts among developed country Parties.
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Second meeting of the Durban Forum on capacity-building, continued
6 June
2013
A number of issues were covered during
part 2 of the second meeting of the Durban Forum, held in Bonn. These included: capacity
building for the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol; capacity-building elements in work plans
of the bodies established under the Convention and its Protocol; and enhanced delivery of
capacity-building to promote concrete and effective adaptation and mitigation actions at the
national level.
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ADP round table on workstream 2
5 June 2013
A two-part
round table on workstream 2 (relating to enhanced mitigation ambition), focused on building
a practical and results-oriented approach to increasing pre-2020 ambition. A presentation on
the 2012 UNEP
Emissions Gap report formed the basis of the discussion.
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ADP round table on workstream 1, part 2
5 June 2013
At the second part of the
round table under ADP workstream 1 - focusing on transparency and accountability - specific
views were elaborated on how transparency and accountability should be reflected in the 2015
agreement.
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In-session workshop under the structured expert dialogue of the 2013-2015
review
5 June 2013
The
workshop, held in the context of the 2013-2015 review, aimed at
increasing the understanding of existing scientific knowledge and how it can be used to address
the two themes of the review: the adequacy of the long-term global goal (LTGG) in the light of
the ultimate objective of the Convention; and overall progress made towards achieving the LTGG.
External participants could follow the workshop via live webcast and were invited to send in
questions and comments via Twitter. This resulted in
hundreds of messages being tweeted.
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Response measures in-forum workshop - continued
5 June 2013
The workshop on
response measures continued in Bonn on Wednesday, 5 June, with Parties addressing the issue
of a just transition of the workforce, and the creation of quality jobs.
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ADP round table on workstream 1
4 June 2013
At a
round table under workstream 1 (relating to the 2015 agreement) held on the second day of
ADP 2.2 in Bonn, Parties focused on the process for securing a variety of enhanced actions,
including commitments, and how actions will be supported through greater finance, technology
and capacity-building enablement and support.
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SBSTA 38 research dialogue
4 June 2013
A dialogue on developments in research activities relevant to the needs of the Convention took
place at SBSTA 38 in Bonn, focusing on developments in global climate information, emerging
scientific findings, as well as developments in research-related capacity-building,
View webcast
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Response measures in-forum workshop
4 June 2013
A workshop on
response measures - to be continued on 5 June - was held on the second day of SB 38 in
Bonn, with governments continuing their work on avoiding negative consequences of climate
action.
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Second meeting of the Durban Forum on capacity-building
4 June 2013
At the
2nd meeting of the Durban Forum on capacity-building, part 1, held during the Bonn Climate
Change Conference, those interested in or working on capacity-building had the opportunity to
learn about on-the-ground action already underway and to network with multiple
stakeholders.
View webcast
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Page launched on new market and non-market mechanisms
31 May 2013
The UN Climate Change Secretariat has created a webpage to help
Parties share information and track progress on the intergovernmental negotiations on a
framework for various approaches, non-market-based approaches and the new market-based
mechanism. The webpage pulls
together the documents, workshop reports and other information on the matter.
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Prototype of the virtual part of the new UNFCCC Forum of the Standing Committee on
Finance
30 May 2013
The UN Climate Change Secretariat has launched a prototype of the virtual part of the new
UNFCCC Forum of the Standing Committee on Finance. Stakeholders can, for example, send in
YouTube videos about various issues related to climate finance, along with publications,
reports and links that can be posted on the new web
site.
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The first Forum of the Standing Committee on Finance
28 May 2013
The Standing Committee on Finance held its first Forum on 28 May in Barcelona, Spain, in
conjunction with the Carbon Expo. The Forum focused mainly on the issue of mobilizing finance
and investments for climate action now.
More
information
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ADP 2 workshop on
low-emission development opportunities
30 April 2013
Participants at the ADP 2 meeting in Bonn discussed examples of what can be done to address
issues such as energy efficiency, renewable energy and low-emission technology. It emerged that
a breadth of mitigation actions are already taking place both at national and international
levels, and ample opportunities exist to further scale up these actions.
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Prototype NAMA registry now operational
30 April 2013
The secretariat has launched a fully operational prototype registry to record developing
countries nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs). Developing country Parties can now
electronically submit and update information on their potential mitigation actions in need of
support as well as having their own mitigation actions recognized.
Further information on the
registry and the process for gaining access rights
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First ADP 2 workshop
29 April 2013
At ADP 2 in Bonn, a workshop
on the scope, structure and design of the 2015 agreement was held, focussing on aspects
relating to the application of Convention principles, ways of defining and reflecting enhanced
action, and experiences and lessons learned from other processes.
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NAP
technical guidelines (82 kB) released
25 April 2013
An important milestone has been reached in the national adaptation plan (NAP) process, with the
Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) releasing the NAP technical
guidelines. These guidelines will assist developing countries in producing their NAPs in a
comprehensive and strategic manner.
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Webinar on Long-term Finance to be held on 18 April 2013
5 April 2013
The Co-Chairs of the UNFCCC work programme on long-term finance invite Parties and stakeholders
to participate in a webinar on 18 April. Attendees to this webinar will have the opportunity to
share their views on the work programme, designed to explore pathways and enabling environments
for mobilizing scaled-up climate finance to USD 100 billion per year by 2020 from public,
private and alternative sources.
More information
and registration information
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UNFCCC and UNEP sign Memorandum of Understanding to launch new Climate Technology
Centre
22 February 2013
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with
UNEP to launch the new Climate Technology Centre (CTC). The CTC and its Network is part of the
UNFCCC's Technology Mechanism agreed by governments in Cancun in 2010. The signing means
that the mechanism is on track to deliver mitigation and adaptation benefits for developing
countries.
Press
release
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Nominations of national designated entities for the development and transfer of
technologies
21 February 2013
In response to a request from Parties at COP 18, the UNFCCC secretariat has invited Parties to
nominate their national designated entities, (NDEs) for the development and transfer of
technologies. Deadline for sending the name of the organization and contact address/person to
the secretariat is 29 March 2013. This is a first step towards establishment of a database of
NDEs - in collaboration with UNEP - which will be available through the UNFCCC website.
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Indonesia moves towards climate-friendly transport technologies and
measures
23 January 2013
With the Sustainable Urban Transport Initiative (SUTRI) the Indonesian Government has submitted
a NAMA to improve the transport situation of the urban population. The implementation of this
initiative will kick off in three pilot cities: Medan (Capital of North Sumatra), Manado
(Capital of North Sulawesi) and Batam (Riau Islands).
Read more
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Cook Islands submits NAMA to promote energy efficiency
17 January 2013
Cook Islands is the first small island developing State to seek support for implementation of
an ambitious renewable energy plan. Their NAMA aims to phase out diesel use, with a view to
achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2020.
Read more
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New alliance launched to help bring about behavioral change
3 December 2012
The UNFCCC secretariat, together with FAO, UNEP, UNESCO, UNFCCC, UNICEF, UNITAR and WMO, has
launched the UN Alliance on Climate Change Education, Training and Public Awareness. The
Alliance will support the new Doha work programme on Article 6 of the Convention, as well as
report regularly on these activities through an annual dialogue on Article 6.
Doha work programme
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UNFCCC secretariat achieves aim of full climate neutrality by end of
2012
Doha/ Bonn, 30 November 2012
The UNFCCC secretariat has achieved its aim of full climate neutrality by the end of 2012,
through emission avoidance and reduction, plus an offsetting scheme using Adaptation Fund CERs
for the remaining balance.
Web
page
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German government hands over keys to new UN Climate Change Secretariat building in
Bonn
31 October 2012
As an important step to accommodate the increasing demand from Parties for more space and
facilities, the German government has officially handed over the keys to a new UNFCCC
secretariat building, located in the Bonn UN campus. Secretariat staff are to move into the new
building some time next year.
Press release
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UNFCCC forges first-of-its-kind partnership to assist development of emission-reduction
projects
16 October 2012
To increase the regional distribution of clean development mechanism (CDM) projects, the UNFCCC
secretariat, in collaboration with the Banque Ouest Africaine de Développement (BOAD),
has established a CDM support office in Lomé, Togo. The aim is to enhance
capacity-building and help the region's governments, NGO's and private sector engage in
the development of CDM projects. The first-of-its-kind partnership agreement was signed by
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres and BOAD President, Christian Adovelande.
Multiple support offices will be established in the coming months.
Press release (128 kB)
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SIDS expert meeting on addressing loss and damage held in Barbados
11
October 2012
The last meeting of a series of expert meetings on a range of approaches to address loss and
damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, including impacts related to
extreme weather events and slow onset events, was successfully held recently in Barbados. The
meeting considered various aspects of loss and damage from the SIDS perspective, in particular
those related to addressing climate impacts related to slow onset events. Details on proceedings, including
presentations and background documents.
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Second Workshop on Long-term Finance
3 October 2012
As part of the work programme on long-term finance, a transparent and interactive second
workshop on long-term finance took place from 1 to 3 October in Cape Town, South Africa,
bringing together around 120 participants from Parties, private sector, civil society, and
academia. The workshop focused on the issue of scaling up of climate finance and what is
required in terms of policies and instruments to enhance enabling conditions, along with the
delivery of and access to climate finance. All workshop
materials, including the archived webcast
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First NAMA submissions for the registry received by UNFCCC
1 October
2012
The first submissions of
nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs) for the future NAMA Registry have been
received by the UNFCCC secretariat and compiled in a temporary website. The NAMA Registry
prototype (requested by Decision 2/CP.17) is expected to become operational in November 2012.
In the meantime, Parties and organizations are invited to submit NAMAs seeking support for
preparation or implementation, NAMAs for recognition, and information on support for the
preparation and implementation of NAMAs.
Interested Parties and entities are invited to visit this link.
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First meeting of the Adaptation Committee held in Bangkok
13 September 2012
The Adaptation Committee successfully concluded its inaugural meeting in Bangkok. The four-day
meeting achieved its objective of developing activities for its three-year work programme,
evolving a sense of common purpose and a vision for the committee among its members, and
establishing good working relationships between members. Discussion focused on articulating the
strategic vision of the Committee, ranging from accelerating climate-resilient investment and
fostering synergies across all classes of adaptation actors, to achieving coherence of
adaptation considerations within and outside the Convention process. More
on the Adaptation Committeë
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Workshop focused on strengthening technology needs assessment process
13 September 2012
Assisting developing countries in identifying and analysing priority technology needs was the
focus of a three-day workshop in Bangkok. The experience-sharing workshop on technology needs
assessments was held in response to a request by the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and
Technological Advice (SBSTA) and in conjunction with the fourth Technology Executive Committee
meeting. It was jointly organized by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UNFCCC.
The Technology Needs Assessment Project provided a useful forum for participating countries to
pinpoint the way forward using environmentally sustainable technologies.
Press release
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First webinar on long-term finance
13 September 2012
The first webinar featured discussions focussed on various approaches applied to assessment of
financing needs to implement mitigation and adaption measures in developing countries in the
longer term. All
information regarding the webinar, including the presentations.
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Inaugural meeting of the Standing Committee held in Bangkok
8 September 2012
The first meeting of the Standing Committee (SC) was held following the informal sessions of
the Ad hoc Working Groups. Members elected Ms. Diann Black Layne (Antigua and Barbuda) as Chair
and Mr. Stefan Schwager (Switzerland) as Vice-Chair for the first terms of office. Members also
began to consider elements of the work programme of the SC, and its modalities of work, the
modalities of the Forum, and links with the SBI and thematic bodies of the Convention.
Discussions focused on the functions and activities of the SC, giving members the opportunity
to outline their views on the work of the SC, deliverables for COP 18 and beyond 2012.
More
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E-forum on Long-term finance launched
6 September 2012
An e-forum has been set up under the work programme on long-term finance to contribute to
facilitating an informed and robust dialogue on the scaling up of mobilization of climate
change finance after 2012 between governments, public and the private finance community, civil
society, and academia. Aimed at boosting transparency and inclusivity, the e-forum relies on
the involvement, engagement and support of these stakeholders.
E-forum page
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Compilation of 2012 submissions on fast-start finance completed
3
September 2012
The nine submissions on fast-start finance received by the UNFCCC secretariat have been
compiled in an information document, which is now available on the UNFCCC website. Together,
the submissions provide information on the provision of financial support by developed
countries as part of their collective commitment to provide new and additional resources
approaching USD 30 billion for the period 2010–2012, Together, the submissions provide
information on the provision of financial support by developed countries as part of their
collective commitment to provide new and additional resources approaching USD 30 billion for
the period 2010–2012, a pledge these countries made at COP15 in Copenhagen.
Document
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Board of the Green Climate Fund kicks off its work and elects two
Co-Chairs
23 August 2012
The Board of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) started its first meeting today after successfully
filling all 24 Board seats. It will address several key issues, including initiating work
towards the operationalization of the Fund and the process it will follow to select the host
country of the Fund. UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary Richard Kinley delivered the opening
statement.
Media
release (118 kB)
Opening
statement by UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary Richard Kinley (70 kB)
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CDM Roundtable
10 August 2012
The 5th CDM Roundtable provided an interactive forum for gathering stakeholders to discuss the
latest work on the topics of: improving the stakeholder consultation process; improving the
assessment of additionality; improving the guidelines on first-of-its-kind and common practice;
and the development of a consolidated methodology development process.
More
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Enabling the submission of information to the NAMA registry prototype
6
August 2012
Decision 2/CP.17 requested the secretariat to develop a Prototype of the NAMA registry. This
prototype is expected to become operational in November 2012. In meantime, the secretariat has
put in place a temporary website to enable the submission of information to the registry.
Parties and organizations will be able to submit NAMAs seeking support for preparation; NAMAs
seeking support for implementation; Other NAMAs for recognition; and information on support for
preparation and implementation of NAMAs. Submission templates have been made available to ease
the process of submission. Interested Parties and entities are invited to visit this link.
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Technical workshop on water, climate change impacts and adaptation strategies held in
Mexico
18-20 July 2012
At COP17 in Durban, governments requested the secretariat to organize a technical workshop on
water, climate change impacts and adaptation strategies, in collaboration with Nairobi work
programme partner organizations and other relevant organizations. More information and the
presentations given at the workshop can be found here.
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Work Programme on Long-term Finance: First workshop on Long-term Finance held in
Bonn
11 July 2012
As part of the work programme on long-term finance, the first workshop on long-term finance
took place on 9-11 July in Bonn. It was one of two workshops which will be held during the
course of 2012. A second workshop will be held in Cape Town 1-3 October. More information on
the workshop, including all the presentations given at the workshop, as well as on the work
programme can be found here.
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Top ranked candidate for hosting Climate Technology Centre confirmed
25 May 2012
A UNEP-led consortium was confirmed by Parties as the top-ranked candidate for hosting the
Climate Technology Centre, from a short-list drawn up by an evaluation panel based on criteria
specified and agreed on by Parties at COP17 in Durban. Work can now begin on drafting a host
agreement for approval by the COP in Doha.
Relevant SBI draft conclusion here. FCCC/SBI/2012/L.18.
All proposals and the short list are available here
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Durban Forum on Capacity-building inaugurated
22-23 May 2012
The Durban Forum on Capacity-building held its inaugural meeting 22-23 May. The meeting was the
first arrangement of its kind in the history of the UNFCCC that allowed for the direct
participation of all stakeholders involved in building the capacity of developing countries to
curb emissions and adapt to climate change.
Link to on demand webcast of part 1 of meeting
Link to on demand webcast of part 2 of meeting
Background
and agenda
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Governments discuss how to raise ambition
Bonn, 21 May 2012
At COP 17 in Durban, governments noted with grave concern the gap between the sum of current
pledges to curb emissions and what is required by 2020 to limit the increase of global average
temperatures to at the most 2 degrees Celsius. Because of this, they agreed to undertake a work
plan to close the gap. First discussions on how to raise ambition took place in the form of a
workshop in Bonn.
On demand webcast of part 1 of workshop, with presentations
On demand webcast of part 2 of workshop, with presentations
Information note, agenda and
submissions
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Workshop takes place in Bonn on new market-based mechanism
Bonn, 19 May 2012
A new market-based mechanism was defined at COP17 in Durban, with the aim of significantly
scaling up support for mitigation activities beyond current levels. Discussions at a workshop
in Bonn enabled Parties and observers to exchange views and to consider design options for the
mechanism.
On demand webcast of workshop, with presentations
Information note and
agenda
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Governments discuss framework for various mitigation approaches
Bonn, 19 May 2012
Countries around the world are currently implementing their own mitigation approaches,
including market-based mechanisms. Governments agree that all such approaches must meet robust
standards to guarantee environmental integrity. At a workshop in Bonn, Parties and observers
have exchanged views on a possible framework to aid in the development of these
standards.
On demand webcast of workshop, with presentations
Information note and
agenda
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Workshop furthers understanding of developing country NAMAs
Bonn, 18 May 2012
A workshop to further the understanding of the diversity of nationally appropriate mitigation
actions by developing country Parties, underlying assumptions, and any support needed for
implementation of these actions took place in Bonn Thursday.
On demand webcast of workshop, with presentations
Information note and
agenda
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Developed countries clarify emission reduction targets
Bonn, 17 May 2012
A useful workshop on the clarification of developed country Parties' quantified
economy-wide emission reduction targets and related assumptions and conditions took place in
Bonn during the UN Climate Change Conference. An additional objective of the workshop was for
developed countries to share experiences with the design of low-emission development
strategies.
On demand webcast of workshop, with presentations
Information note and agenda (104 kB)
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Governments discuss equitable access to sustainable development in Bonn
Bonn, 16 May
Ensuring equitable access to sustainable development is central to the UN climate change
negotiations. An important workshop at the UN Climate Conference in Bonn has enhanced
Parties' understanding of this approach and its possible operationalization, particularly
in the context of identifying the time frame for the peaking of global emissions and the global
goal for emission reductions in 2050.
On demand webcast of part 1 of workshop, with presentations
On demand webcast of part 2 of workshop, with presentations
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NAMAs prototype registry presented at SBI 36
15 May 2012
The prototype of a registry for nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs) was
officially presented by the UNFCCC secretariat to governments at SBI 36 in Bonn. The registry
is meant to record both NAMAs seeking international support and NAMAs seeking recognition; and
facilitate matching of finance, technology and capacity-building support with these actions. On
the basis of comments received from governments on how to improve the design of the prototype,
the secretariat will deploy a first version of the prototype registry by mid-July. A
fully-functional version of the registry is expected to be presented at the end of the year at
COP18 in Doha.
Online prototype registry
Information note (56 kB)
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Durban Forum on Capacity-building
22-23 May 2012
The Durban Forum on Capacity-building, one of the major outcomes of COP 17, will hold its
inaugural meeting on 22-23 May. The meeting is the first arrangement of its kind in the history
of the UNFCCC that allows for the direct participation of all stakeholders involved in building
the capacity of developing countries to curb emissions and adapt to climate change.
More
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Extending the benefits of the CDM
11 May 2012
At its meeting that wrapped up in Bonn on 11 May, the Executive Board of the Kyoto
Protocol's clean development mechanism (CDM) agreed to consider a proposal that could
expand the list of small-scale projects that qualify automatically due to their obvious ability
to reduce emissions and the obvious barriers they face to implementation, a move that could
greatly extend the benefits of the CDM.
More
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Offers to host the Green Climate Fund now public
19 April 2012
The offers of the countries that are bidding to host the Green Climate Fund are now posted on
the website of the GCF at GCFund.net. On Monday, the Interim
Secretariat of the Green Climate Fund announced that six countries: Germany, Mexico, Namibia,
Poland, Republic of Korea and Switzerland had submitted expressions of interest for hosting the
Fund. The Green Climate Fund Board will conduct an open and transparent process for the
selection of the host country and is expected to initiate next steps at its first meeting
scheduled for 31 May to 2 June.
Green Climate Fund website
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