Fifth meeting of the Consultative Group of Experts

Summary of outcome

The fifth meeting of the Consultative Group of Experts (CGE) took place virtually on 2 and 3 March 2021, starting from 14:00–17:00 (CET) on both days. Twenty-one (21) CGE members and one (1) observer attended the meeting.

Key summary of the outcomes of the meeting includes the following:

• The CGE elected Ms. Virginia SENA (Uruguay) as the Chair and Ms. Sandra Boitumelo MOTSHWANEDI (South Africa) as the Rapporteur for 2021.
• The main objective of the meeting was to develop its work plan for 2021, including priorities and key activities.
• Guided by its vision, mission and strategic priorities for 2020–2026 and taking into account the existing and emerging needs and gaps of developing countries and feedback gained from various channels of CGE engagement with national experts and practitioners in transparency throughout last year, the CGE successfully developed its work plan for 2021.
• Considering the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, the CGE agreed to organize regional hands-on training workshops in a virtual setting. This decision was made fully conscious of the fact that virtual training sessions cannot effectively replace the in-person training session but it is important, at the same time, to provide technical support to developing country Parties without any major interruption. The virtual regional hands-on training workshops for this year will be organized following the approaches and working methods successfully implemented in 2020.
• In addition, the group agreed to continue enhancing its communication and outreach activities, and collaboration efforts with other expert groups and constituted bodies under the Convention and the Paris Agreement, and other intergovernmental and international organizations.
• Finally, the CGE tentatively agreed to have its next meeting in the first week of September 2021. The CGE also agreed to organize ad-hoc virtual meeting(s), if needed, with a view to effectively implementing its work plan under special circumstances caused by COVID-19 pandemic.