Background

The Nairobi work programme (NWP) works in collaboration with partners and experts to advance activities that produce usable knowledge products and catalyse partnerships for collaborative action through a stepwise approach in response to identified knowledge needs in a wide range of thematic areas.

In accordance with the outcomes of SBSTA 50 (FCCC/SBSTA/2019/paragraph 17), the NWP this years focuses on the topic of oceans. The NWP collaborates with partners and relevant organizations in this thematic area, including on organizing the 13th NWP Focal Point Forum. This Forum will be held under the guidance of the Chair of the SBSTA in conjunction with the SBSTA 51 in Madrid, Spain. 

Mandate and Scope

Scope of work on the thematic area: oceans, coastal areas and ecosystems, including mega deltas, coral reefs and mangroves as well as slow onset events, in areas of understanding and assessing climate change impacts as well as resilience and adaptation to climate change.

Additional details as mandated by SBSTA 50:

• Collaborate with partners and relevant organizations in the thematic area of oceans, including on organizing the 13th NWP Focal Point Forum, on the topic of oceans, in conjunction with SBSTA 51;
• Invite the IPCC to share the findings contained in its Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate at the forum;
• Explore ways of scheduling the NWP Focal Point Forums to enable the participation of Parties and NWP partner organizations;
• Invite all Parties, NWP partners and other relevant organizations to provide support to enable the participation of relevant experts, including from developing countries, in the NWP Focal Point Forums.

Objectives of the focal point forum

The 13^th Focal point forum on the topic of oceans will be held under the overall guidance of the Chair of the SBSTA with the following objectives:

• Enhancing the engagement of experts and expert organizations, including those from developing countries and those working on national adaptation plans;
• Providing an interactive space for information-sharing and the informal exchange of views among NWP partner organizations, Parties and other relevant organizations, bearing in mind that NWP partner organizations should be given sufficient opportunities to share their views during the Focal Point Forum;
• Facilitating collaboration and partnerships among NWP partner organizations, Parties and other relevant organizations, which could contribute to translating the key findings and gaps identified in this topic undertaken under the NWP into concrete adaptation actions;
• Informing future activities to be undertaken under the NWP, in a way that supports the potential role of the NWP in the implementation of the Paris Agreement, particularly on issues related to adaptation.

Activities before the focal point forum

In line with the NWP knowledge-to action methodology, following steps have been undertaken under the NWP to close knowledge gaps on oceans that help scale up adaptation action prior to the focal point forum:

• A group of experts was convened and a scoping paper with inputs from the expert group to serve as an input to the focal point forum was prepared (scoping paper will be available soon!)
• Expert group meeting was held on 21-22 November 2019 to co-design the focal point forum as well as plan collaborative follow up actions on oceans to fill knowledge gaps

Agenda