Type: Closed - for CGE members only 

Format: Virtual WebEx meeting
 

2^nd Ad-hoc virtual meeting of the Consultative Group of Experts

Summary of outcome

The 2^nd ad-hoc virtual meeting of the Consultative Group of Experts (CGE) took place on 3 June 2020 from 14:30 – 16:30 CET (Bonn time). Twenty (20) CGE members and one (1) observer attended the meeting. This was a follow-up to the 1^st CGE ad-hoc meeting held on 14 April 2020.

Key summary of the outcomes of the 2^nd ad-hoc meeting includes the following:

• The main objective of the meeting was to continue assessing the potential impact of on-going worldwide effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the CGE’s 2020 work plan, particularly the planned in-person regional hands-on training workshops, and make necessary adjustments.
• The CGE reiterated its commitment to deliver its mandate and work towards ensuring a successful implementation of this year’s work plan.
• Taking into account the current global impacts of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, the CGE agreed to postpone two of the in-person regional hands-on training workshops:
   
  • The workshop for the Asia-Pacific and the Eastern European regions, initially planned for 31 August to 4 September was postponed to the week of 23 November 2020;
  • Similarly, the African region workshop, initially planned for 14 to 19 September was postponed to the week of 7 December 2020.
• Noting the guidance from the COP Bureau to organize informal and non-mandated events virtually, the CGE agreed to organize its informal forum virtually in December 2020. It requested the secretariat to make necessary arrangements.
• Recognizing the importance of providing trainings to developing countries, the CGE agreed to consider organising virtual regional hands-on training workshops in place of the in-person regional hands-on training workshops, in the event that the latter is no longer possible to be held in 2020 due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. To that extent, the CGE brainstormed on how to design and deliver an effective virtual training, that is as interactive as possible, and that considers the impacts of different languages and time zones.  The CGE also requested the secretariat to prepare a concept note to organize the virtual training, considering the feedback provided by the CGE.
• Finally, the CGE agreed that it will continue meeting periodically in a virtual setting to continue assessing the situation and, as needed, make adjustments to its work plan.  It requested the secretariat to organise another virtual ad-hoc meeting in July 2020.