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The Informal Intersessional Workshop on Just Transition was held from 30 September to 2 October 2026 in Sydney, Australia, in a hybrid format. Generously hosted by the Government of Australia, the workshop was organized by the incoming Presidency of COP31 and the incoming President of Negotiations for COP31 under the guidance of the SB Chairs, and with the support of the secretariat. Further information is available on the event page.
The Sixth Dialogue under the United Arab Emirates just transition work programme was held from 10 to 11 September 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in a hybrid format. The dialogue focused on: Holistic approaches to nationally determined just transition pathways for the industry sector: technology, innovation and equitable value chains. Further information is available on the event page.
Paragraph 24 of decision 2/CMA.7 requested the secretariat to prepare a synthesis report on the mapping of relevant instruments, initiatives and processes under the Convention and the Paris Agreement and relevant entities in the United Nations system. As an intermediate step towards delivering on this mandate, the secretariat has prepared an initial interim output that is available here.
The Third Annual High-Level Ministerial Round Table on Just Transition was held on 18 November 2025, from 13:00-17:00 (BRT/UTC-3), in Belém, Brazil, in a hybrid format. Further information is available on the event page.
The 2025 Annual Summary Report on the Dialogues under the United Arab Emirates just transition work programme is available here.
Background information
The just transition work programme was established at CMA 4 (decision 1/CMA.4, para 52) and was operationalised as the United Arab Emirates just transition work programme at CMA 5 (decision 3/CMA.5). Its implementation started immediately after CMA 5.
Objective
The objective of the work programme is the discussion of pathways to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement outlined in Article 2, paragraph 1, in the context of Article 2, paragraph 2 (decision 3/CMA.5, para 1).
Elements of the work programme
Decision 3/CMA.5, paragraph 2, provides that the work programme includes the following elements:
(a) just transition pathways to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement outlined in Article 2, paragraph 1, in the context of Article 2, paragraph 2;
(b) just and equitable transition, which encompasses pathways that include energy, socioeconomic, workforce and other dimensions, all of which must be based on nationally defined development priorities and include social protection so as to mitigate potential impacts associated with the transition;
(c) opportunities, challenges and barriers relating to sustainable development and poverty eradication as part of transitions globally to low emissions and climate resilience, taking into account nationally defined development priorities;
(d) approaches to enhancing adaptation and climate resilience at the national and international level;
(e) just transition of the workforce and the creation of decent work and quality jobs in accordance with nationally defined development priorities, including through social dialogue, social protection and the recognition of labour rights;
(f) inclusive and participatory approaches to just transitions that leave no one behind;
(g) international cooperation as an enabler of just transition pathways towards achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.
How the work programme operates
The work programme is implemented under the guidance of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) through a joint contact group convened at each of their sessions, starting at their sixtieth sessions (June 2024) (decision 3/CMA.5, para 4). At least two dialogues are held each year, one prior to the first regular sessions of the subsidiary bodies and one prior to the second, conducted in hybrid format to allow both in-person and virtual participation (decision 3/CMA.5, para 5). Parties, observers and other non-Party stakeholders are invited to submit views on the work to be undertaken and on possible topics for the dialogues by 15 February each year (decision 3/CMA.5, para 6), and to submit views relevant to the dialogue topics no later than four weeks before each dialogue (para 8). The Chairs of the subsidiary bodies, with the assistance of the secretariat, prepare an annual summary report on the dialogues (decision 3/CMA.5, para 10).
Decision 3/CMA.5, para 3, also provides that the effectiveness and efficiency of the work programme will be reviewed, and its continuation considered, at CMA 8 (November 2026).
Outcomes at CMA 7
CMA 7 resulted in a landmark decision on the United Arab Emirates just transition work programme (decision 2/CMA.7) which reflected advancements in the implementation of the work programme and further anchored just transition considerations within the institutional framework of the Paris Agreement.
A just transition mechanism
At CMA 7 Parties also decided to develop a just transition mechanism, the purpose of which is to enhance international cooperation, technical assistance, capacity-building and knowledge-sharing, and to enable equitable, inclusive just transitions, noting that the mechanism is to be implemented in a manner that builds on and complements relevant workstreams under the Convention and the Paris Agreement, including the work programme (decision 2/CMA.7, para 25). The subsidiary bodies were requested, at their sixty-fourth sessions (June 2026), to recommend a draft decision on the process for operationalizing the just transition mechanism, for consideration at CMA 8 (November 2026) (decision 2/CMA.7, para 25). Parties and non-Party stakeholders were invited to submit views on that process by 15 March 2026 (para 26).
2026 United Arab Emirates just transition work programme review and next steps
To support implementation of the work programme and as input to the review, CMA 7 requested the secretariat to map relevant instruments, initiatives and processes under the Convention and the Paris Agreement and relevant entities in the United Nations system, and to prepare a synthesis report thereon (decision 2/CMA.7, para 24).
The subsidiary bodies were also requested to develop the terms of reference for the review at their sixty-fourth sessions (decision 2/CMA.7, para 27), and to consider, inter alia, ways to improve existing modalities, without prejudice to the outcome of the consideration of the continuation of the work programme (decision 2/CMA.7, para 28). The review of the effectiveness and efficiency of the work programme, and consideration of its continuation, will take place at CMA 8 in November 2026 (decision 3/CMA.5, para 3).
