Building on the legal and procedural foundations introduced in Webinar 1, Webinar 2 shifts the focus from how the UNFCCC negotiation process operates to what Parties negotiate. Delivered in two complementary 90-minute sessions, the webinar provides participants with an overview of the principal substantive negotiation areas under the UNFCCC process and the key issues expected to shape discussions in the lead-up to COP 31.

Together, the two sessions provide participants with an overview of the mandates, institutional arrangements and current negotiation priorities across mitigation, transparency, means of implementation and adaptation, while placing these discussions within the broader context of cross-cutting priorities expected to shape negotiations at COP 31, including the Global Stocktake (GST), Just Transition, Gender and Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE). Participants will also be introduced to practical UNFCCC resources and tools to support their preparation for and participation in the negotiation process.

Through presentations delivered by the UNFCCC secretariat and interactive discussions, participants will gain a practical understanding of how these thematic negotiation streams contribute to the implementation of the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, and how they are likely to feature in discussions at COP31.

Delivered under the Capacity-Building for Negotiators (CB4N) Initiative by the UNFCCC secretariat and its Regional Collaboration Centres (RCCs), Webinar 2 forms part of a broader effort to implement the mandate provided by Parties at SBI 62 to strengthen the capacity of Party delegates, particularly youth and emerging negotiators, through coordinated global and regional learning opportunities.

Objectives

The webinar series aims to:

• Strengthen understanding of the legal, procedural and institutional foundations of the UNFCCC process.
• Enhance participants’ ability to prepare for and engage effectively in climate negotiations.
• Provide practical guidance on negotiation planning, coordination and information management.
• Increase understanding of key thematic negotiation areas under the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.
• Foster peer learning, dialogue and networking among negotiators, experts and practitioners engaged in the UNFCCC process.

Webinar series

The series will comprise three interactive 90-minute online sessions featuring expert presentations, practical insights, case studies and question-and-answer discussions.

Webinar 2

On the Road to COP 31: Key Negotiation Themes under the UNFCCC 

Building on the foundations introduced in Webinar 1, this session, delivered in two parts, will explore key thematic negotiation areas under the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, including mitigation, adaptation, finance, transparency, technology development and transfer, capacity-building, and loss and damage.

• Part 1: Cross-cutting Topics, Mitigation and Transparency

         Tuesday, 1 September 2026 14:00 - 15:30 (CEST) 

• Part II: Gender and ACE, Means of Implementation, Adaptation and Navigating UNFCCC Resources

         Wednesday, 2 September 2026 14:00 - 15:30 (CEST)

Watch the webcast live: (link coming soon) 

Who should participate?

Participation is open to Party representatives engaged in, or supporting, the UNFCCC intergovernmental process, with particular focus on:

• Young and emerging climate negotiators;
• Youth delegates participating in UNFCCC processes;
• Government officials supporting climate negotiations;
• Technical experts and advisors to Party delegations.