Decision 9/CP.11 (FCCC/CP/2005/5/Add.1) lay the foundation for the research dialogue. Based on this decision, SBSTA 26 invited relevant research programmes and organizations to regularly inform the SBSTA of developments in research activities to support the needs of the Convention, including: emerging scientific findings, research planning activities, research priorities and gaps, research capacity building activities particularly in developing countries, regional climate change research networks and relevant communication issues (FCCC/SBSTA/2007/4, paragraph 47).

Decision 16/CP.17 (FCCC/CP/2011/9/Add.2) recognized the success of the research dialogue and the need for it to continue. Parties, in particular developing country Parties, and regional and international research programmes and organizations active in climate change research should use the research dialogue as a forum for:

1. Discussing needs for climate change research and research-related capacity-building, particularly those of developing countries, to support the work of the Convention;
2. Conveying research findings and lessons learned from activities undertaken by regional and international research programmes and organizations of relevance to the Convention