2026 ACE Dialogue and Technical Workshop
Background
Background
The annual dialogue on Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) provides a regular forum for Parties and other stakeholders to share their experiences, exchange ideas, good practices, and lessons learned regarding the implementation of Article 6 of the Convention and Article 12 of the Paris Agreement through its six elements – climate change education and public awareness, training, public participation and access to information and international cooperation on these matters.
At COP26, under the Glasgow work programme on ACE, the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) was requested to undertake a midterm review of progress at its sixty-fourth session (2026) and a final review of progress at its seventy-fourth session (2031) of the Glasgow work programme to evaluate its effectiveness, identify any emerging gaps and needs, and inform any consideration of improving the work programme. The secretariat was requested to assist the Chair of the SBI in preparing a synthesis report ahead of the midterm review and the final review of the Glasgow work programme on the integration of Action for Climate Empowerment into relevant reports and communications submitted by Parties to the secretariat as part of the UNFCCC process for consideration by the SBI at its sixty-fourth and seventy-fourth sessions (SB64), respectively.
Further, at COP30, it was decided that the 2026 Dialogue on ACE, to be held at SB64, should facilitate inputs to inform the midterm review of the Glasgow work programme on ACE, by focusing on the effectiveness of the work programme and any emerging gaps and needs relating to its implementation, and to inform any discussions on improving the work programme, as appropriate. The SBI was also requested to organize an interactive technical workshop, to be held at the 2026 Dialogue on ACE, for a broad range of participants, including representatives of Parties, UNFCCC constituted bodies and work programmes, and other stakeholders, as well as experts and practitioners, to discuss potential elements for a new action plan under the work programme. Finally, Parties and non-Party stakeholders were invited to submit views on matters to be addressed at the 2026 Dialogue on ACE and the technical workshop, as part of the call for annual submissions on the Dialogue, via the submission portal by 31 March 2026.
Based on the above, in this three-day event, comprising the ACE Dialogue and the technical workshop, participants will have the opportunity to share experiences and views on the effectiveness of the Glasgow work programme on ACE and opportunities for its improvement. They will also be able to exchange views and discuss potential elements for a new action plan under the work programme. The event will be complemented by the ACE Gallery 2026, which will showcase good practices under the four priority areas to be considered in the upcoming work.
Registration
Nominated Party and constituency representatives
Under the guidance of the SBI Chair, and to ensure inclusiveness, a letter has been sent to Parties and Observer constituencies, asking for nominations for in-person participation. The letter is available HERE.
All other interested stakeholders (who have not been nominated by a Party or UNFCCC constituency)
All stakeholders can express their interest in participating in the ACE Dialogue and technical workshop, in-person or virtually. Following the guidance of the SBI Chair, the secretariat will revise expressions of interest, considering availability of space, based generally on a first-come, first-served basis but also considering regional, observer, and gender balance, as well as the role played in implementing the Glasgow work programme and its action plan.
- Registration is closed.
- Those who expressed their interest in in-person participation have been notified of the modality of their participation.
- Only participants who have registered and received confirmation of acceptance are able to attend the event.
- In-person participants need to be registered for both the SB 64 conference and the in-session ACE Dialogue and technical workshop.
- Participants are requested to arrive early at the registration desk of the ACE Dialogue to collect their overlay badge (additional badge).
Virtual Participation
- Virtual participation is an integral aspect of the workshop and is open to all, upon registration to the SB 64 and to the ACE Dialogue and technical workshop (please see instructions above). Virtual participants will engage in online group work and report back in plenary.
- Information for virtual participation at SB 64 is available HERE.
- Those not registered for SB 64 will be able to follow plenary sessions via public broadcast. The links are available below.
Methodology
- The agenda and presentations made by the secretariat will be based on the synthesis report on the integration of ACE into relevant reports and communications submitted by Parties to the secretariat as part of the UNFCCC process and submissions made by Parties and non-Party Stakeholders through the UNFCCC submissions portal by 31 March 2026.
- Supporting documents are available on this website.
- Materials developed during the dialogue and workshop will be made available on the website by the end of each day.
Expected Outcome
Relevant documents
Agenda
Day 1
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ACE Dialogue 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026
10:00 -13:00 & 15:00-18:00 CEST
Upper Conference Room – UN Campus (registered participants)
Tokyo ½ - WCCB (overflow room)
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9:00 – 10:00
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Registration
Due to room capacity constraints, in-person participation in this workshop will only be possible upon registration.
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10:00 - 10:30
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Moderators:
Opening Remarks:
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10:30 - 11:15
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Setting the Scene
The moderators facilitate a conversation to help set the scene for the Dialogue and Technical Workshop.
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Reflections by Parties and non-Party stakeholders on ACE implementation guided by the Glasgow work programme and its Action Plan .
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Marcia Tinto, National ACE Focal Point, Trinidad and Tobago
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Renata Negrelly Nogueira, Secretary for Digital Policies from the Communications Secretariat of the Presidency, Brazil
Guiding Questions:
Speakers are invited to reflect on their experiences in advancing ACE implementation under the guidance of the Glasgow work programme and its Action Plan, in particular:
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11:15 - 13:00
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Looking Back: Breakout Discussions (Session I)
The moderator introduces the methodology for the group discussions.
Objective: Collective reflection on the effectiveness of the Glasgow work programme on ACE, and identification of emerging gaps and needs.
Format: World Café (4 stations, 2 rotations – 30 minutes)
Focus: Each station addresses one ACE priority area.
Guiding Questions:
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How can implementation be strengthened at international, regional, national, or local levels (Who, What, Where, When, How)?
Participant Preparation: Participants are requested to bring a digital or printed copy of the Glasgow work programme and ACE Action Plan. Familiarity with these documents is essential for effective engagement.
Documentation:
Facilitators:
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Break
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15:00 - 16:45
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Looking Back: Breakout Discussions (Session II)
The moderator introduces the methodology for the group discussions.
Objective: Continued reflection to deepen analysis and broaden input across priority areas.
Format: World Café (4 stations, 1 rotation –30 minutes)
Focus: Each station addresses one ACE priority area.
Guiding Questions: (same as Session I)
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How can implementation be strengthened at international, regional, national, or local levels (Who, What, Where, When, How)?
Documentation and Outputs:
Facilitators:
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16:45 - 17:15
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Report Back to Plenary
The moderator invites facilitators to present key insights from the group discussions.
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17:15 - 17:50
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Preparing for the Technical Workshop
The moderator introduces the methodology for the technical workshop, with a focus on the ACE Action Plan, including a brief discussion on considerations for the development of effective, impactful, and implementable activities and deliverables.
Key Considerations:
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17:50 - 18:00
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Closing of Day 1
The moderator wraps up and closes the day
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Agenda – Day 2
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ACE Dialogue 2026 – Technical Workshop
Tuesday, 9 June 2026
10:00 -13:00 & 15:00-18:00 CEST
Upper Conference Room – UN Campus (registered participants)
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9:00-10:00
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Registration
Due to room capacity constraints, in-person participation in this workshop will only be possible upon registration.
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10:00 - 10:10
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Moderator: Lucy Shea, ACE expert
The moderator opens the Technical Workshop.
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10:10-10:15
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Lighting Talk
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10:15 - 11:00
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Visioning Exercise
To stimulate forward-looking thinking on where participants would like to see the ACE agenda by 2031 and beyond. This exercise will help frame subsequent discussions on the concrete activities and deliverables required to realize that vision.
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11:00 - 11:05
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Refresher Presentation
Building on the presentation delivered on the previous day, the moderator provides a brief overview of key considerations for designing effective, impactful, and implementable activities and deliverables.
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11:05 - 11:20
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Introduction to the Prioritization Exercise
The moderator introduces the methodology for the prioritization exercise, which will support the session's discussion on updating existing activities in the Action Plan. Participants will later be divided into groups to discuss potential updates to existing activities under the ACE Action Plan.
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11:20 - 13:00
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Updating existing activities: Group work (Session I)
The moderator introduces the methodology for the group discussions.
Objective: Collective reflection on existing activities in the Action Plan under the Glasgow work program on ACE.
Format: World Café (4 stations, 1 rotation – 30-45 minutes)
Focus: Each station addresses a priority area.
Guiding Questions:
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Do the proposed changes relate to the description of the activity, stakeholders responsible for implementation, deliverables/outputs, timelines, or level of implementation?
Participant Preparation: Participants are requested to bring a digital or printed copy of the Glasgow work programme and ACE Action Plan. Familiarity with these documents is essential for effective engagement.
Documentation:
Facilitators:
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Break
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15:00 – 15:05
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Presentation of the afternoon activities
The moderator resumes the group discussions.
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15:05 – 15:10
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Lighting Talk
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15:10 - 16:45
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Updating existing activities: Group work (Session I)
The moderator introduces the methodology for the group discussions.
Objective: Continued reflection on existing activities in the Action Plan under the Glasgow work program on ACE.
Format: World Café (4 stations, 1 rotation – 30-45 minutes)
Focus: Each station addresses a priority area
Guiding Questions:
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Do the proposed changes relate to the description of the activity, stakeholders responsible for implementation, deliverables/outputs, or level of implementation?
Participant Preparation: Participants are requested to bring a digital or printed copy of the Glasgow work programme and ACE Action Plan. Familiarity with these documents is essential for effective engagement.
Documentation:
Facilitators:
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16:45 - 17:30
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Report Back to Plenary
The moderator invites facilitators to present key insights from the group discussions.
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17:30 - 17:45
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Preparing for Day 3 of the Technical Workshop
The moderator introduces the methodology called Open Space for the next day of the technical workshop.
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17:45 - 18:00
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Closing of Day 2
The moderator wraps up and closes the day.
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Agenda - Day 3
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ACE Dialogue 2026 and Technical Workshop
Thursday, 11 June 2026
10:00-13:00 & 15:00 – 18:00 (CEST)
Upper Conference Room – UN Campus (registered participants)
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9:30-10:00
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Registration
Due to room capacity constraints, in-person participation in this workshop will only be possible upon registration.
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10:00 - 10:30
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Moderator: Lucy Shea, ACE expert
Opening Session
The moderator opens the Technical Workshop. Presentation of the methodology known as Open Space to identify the possible new activities to be discussed during the group discussions.
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10:30 - 11:0
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Open Space Methodology
Participants present the ideas or possible new activities that they would like to explore with others. In a wall, participants collectively decide on discussion spaces and time slots.
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10:10 - 13:00
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Possible new activities: Group work (Session I)
Objective: Collective reflection on potential new elements for a future action plan under the Glasgow work programme on ACE, with the aim of developing an improved understanding of what constitutes an effective, impactful, and implementable activity and deliverable.
Format: Discussions moderated by participants.
Guiding Questions:
Participant Preparation: Familiarity with the Glasgow work programme and ACE Action Plan is essential for effective engagement.
Documentation:
Facilitators:
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Break
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15:00 – 15:05
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Introduction to Afternoon Activities
The moderator presents the objectives and structure of the afternoon session.
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15:05 – 16:00
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Possible new activities: Group work (Session II)
Objective: Collective reflection on potential new elements for a future action plan under the Glasgow work programme on ACE, with the aim of developing an improved understanding of what constitutes an effective, impactful, and implementable activity and deliverable.
Format: Discussions moderated by participants.
Guiding Questions:
Participant Preparation: Familiarity with the Glasgow work programme and ACE Action Plan is essential for effective engagement.
Documentation:
Facilitators:
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16:00 - 16:45
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Possible new activities: Group work (Session III)
Groups collectively review and consolidate inputs received during the morning and afternoon discussions.
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16:45 - 17:30
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Report Back to Plenary
The moderator invites participants to present key insights from the discussions.
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17:30 - 18:00
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Closing of the ACE Dialogue and technical workshop
The moderator summarizes key reflections and closes the session.
Closing Remarks:
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