Summary of the consultations on nominations for elections with the Chairs and Coordinators of regional groups and constituencies, held on Friday, 23 October 2020, Bonn, Germany

The first consultations on nominations for the election of officers under the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement were convened on Friday, 23 October 2020.  The consultations were chaired by Mr. Andrej Bojić, Vice-President of the COP/CMP/CMA Bureau. The consultations were held in virtual mode. Vice President Bojić noted that due to challenges as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, it was even more important to continue the UNFCCC process even while not operating under normal circumstances.

Recalling that 30 nominations for constituted bodies are outstanding from COP 25 and recent resignations, Vice-President Bojić noted that these vacancies were hampering the proper functioning of these bodies to undertake their mandates and that in some cases some regional groups have not been fully represented at the meetings of these bodies convened this year. Vice-President Bojić urged Chairs and Coordinators to intensify consultations and transmit the outstanding nominations to the secretariat by Friday, 6 November 2020.  

Vice-President Bojić also requested Chairs and Coordinators who have not yet done so to communicate, by 6 November 2020, to the secretariat the length of term of each member and their alternate, from their respective group or constituency, serving on the Paris Agreement Article 15 Committee to Facilitate Implementation and Promote Compliance.

Chairs and Coordinators provided updates on consultations within their groups.

Recalling that due the postponement of COP 26 as a result of COVID 19 the COP/CMP/CMA Bureau confirmed extending the current membership of the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement bodies as needed until successors can be appointed or elected, Vice President Bojić invited  Chairs and Coordinators to provide feedback, if any, on the secretariat’s presentation of the approach to operationalize the confirmation by the Bureau.  Chairs and Coordinators were invited to provide such feedback to Vice President Bojić and the secretariat by Tuesday, 3 November 2020.  Vice President Bojić also requested the secretariat to transmit to Chairs and Coordinators responses in writing to the questions raised by Chairs and Coordinators on the proposed approach at the consultations during the week of 26 October 2020.

During the consultations, one regional group expressed concern about the representation of women on UNFCCC bodies, noting that while there have been significant progress and increase in the representation of women on UNFCCC bodies over the years, more efforts were required to further increase gender balance across the different bodies and in leadership positions.  The regional group further emphasized that gender balance is needed not only in terms of representation but also in equal and meaningful participation.

The next consultations will be held in February 2021.