Agenda item 6 - Administrative and operational arrangement and financial support
Agenda item 6 on Administrative and operational arrangements and financial support was prioritized, since the inputs and discussions under this topic could potentially feed into the ongoing preparations of the secretariat, observer organizations and the Egyptian Presidency for the organization of COP27. A total of 26 participants from admitted observer organizations registered for the two scheduled focus groups under this agenda item and a total of 20 representatives participated. The first meeting, held on 13 of July, had 7 participants, while the second, held on 15 of July, had 13 participants on the observers’ side. The meetings also counted on the participation of secretariat staff and representatives from COP26 and COP27 Presidencies. In addition to the meetings, a total of 26 written submissions were received on this agenda item.
Agenda item 1 - Observer organizations
Between 25 of July and 8 of August, there were five focus groups scheduled for agenda item 1 on Observer organizations, and another five scheduled for agenda item 3 on admission and registration, with 89 participants from admitted observer organizations registering for the former, and 154 for the latter.
The first focus group on agenda item 1 was held on 26 of July and had 9 participants from admitted observer organizations in addition to the secretariat staff; the second, on 28 of July, had 9. The third group was held on 1st of August, with 7 observer participants, while the fourth, held on 2 of August, counted on 10 participants. The last focus group, held on 4 of August, had 12 participants. In addition to the meetings, a total of 13 written submissions were received for this agenda item.
Agenda item 3 - Admission and registration
As for agenda item 3 Admission and registration, the first focus group, held on 27 of July, had 8 participants from admitted observer organizations in addition to the secretariat staff. The focus group scheduled for 29 of July was cancelled for lack of attendance, and the one participant present kindly accepted to join one of the remaining meetings. The focus group held on 3 of August had 7 participants and also counted on the participation of COP26 Presidency representatives, while the focus group held on 5 of August had 13 participants from observer organizations. The last focus group to be held on 8 of August, counted on 5 participants. In addition to the meetings, a total of 10 written submissions were received for this agenda item.
Agenda items 4 - Current Modes of Observer Engagement
Two focus groups were scheduled for the second week on August on agenda items 4 on Current Modes of Observer Engagement and 5, on Constituted Bodies and Support Team, with 67 participants from accredited observer organizations registered for the former and 46 for the latter. The first focus group on agenda item 4 took place on 10 of August, and had 15 observer organization participants, while the second was held on 12 of August, with 17 participants. In addition to the meetings, a total of 9 written submissions were received for agenda item 4.
Agenda item 5 - Constituted Bodies and Support Team
Two focus groups were scheduled for the second week on August on agenda items 5, on Constituted Bodies and Support Team. The focus group meetings for agenda item 5 took place on August 9 (10 participants) and 11 (17 participants). A total of 5 written submissions were received for this agenda item.
Agenda item 2 - Representation and equitable access
Five focus groups were carried out under agenda item 2 Representation and equitable access in the week of 12-16 of September, with a total of 88 participants from admitted observer organizations registered. The first meeting, held on 12 of September, had 12 participants on the observers’ side. The second, third and fourth meetings had, respectively: 14 (13 September), 7 (14 September), and 7 (15 September). The last meeting, held on 16 of September, counted on 8 participants. In addition to the meetings, a total of 9 written submissions were received on this agenda item, including 3 stand-alone submissions on conflict of interest/ purpose of participation.