UNFCCC postponment of the SBs and COP 26.

Date: 1 April 2020

Reference: CAS/MTP/O/UNFCCC

                    Conferences/APR.2020 

MESSAGE TO PARTIES, OBSERVER STATES  AND OBSERVER ORGANIZATIONS 
 
Information regarding upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conferences (SB 52 and COP 26) 
 
 
I would like to refer to the upcoming fifty-second session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 52) and the fifty-second session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI 52) which were scheduled to take place in Bonn, Germany from 1 to 11 June 2020 at the World Conference Center Bonn, as well as the twenty-sixth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26), the sixteenth session Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP16) and the third session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA3) which were scheduled to take place from  9 to 20 November 2020 in Glasgow, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 
 
In light of the COVID-19 situation worldwide, the Bureau of the COP, CMP and CMA held a virtual meeting on 1 April 2020 and concluded that the SB 52 sessions would not be possible at the planned dates in June 2020. The Bureau decided that SB 52 will be held from 4 to 12 October 2020 at the World Conference Center Bonn. The sessions will be preceded by preparatory meetings from 28 September to 3 October 2020. 
 
Taking into consideration the uncertainty of how the COVID-19 crisis will evolve in the coming months, the Bureau will review the feasibility of convening the session on the new dates at the latest two months in advance. 
 
The Bureau further provided guidance on rescheduling of events planned to take place during the postponed SB sessions, including on virtual participation. The secretariat will make information available in the UNFCCC website in due course and as soon as available. 
Distribution:  To Parties and observer States through their national focal points for climate change and diplomatic missions accredited to the Federal Republic of Germany, as well as United Nations organizations and admitted observer organizations. 
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In addition, upon receiving a detailed assessment from the representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the host of COP 26, the Bureau also decided to postpone COP 26, CMP16, CMA 3 to 2021.  
 
The Government of the United Kingdom will initiate consultations with Parties and stakeholders to identify a suitable new date for the Conference which will be presented to the Bureau for its endorsement.  
 
Subsequent follow-up messages, including the formal notification of the agendas for SB 52 as well as the agendas for the COP26, CMP13 and CMA3, nomination timelines, logistical arrangements and information for participants will be communicated in due course. 
 
Yours sincerely,  
 
 
 
 Patricia Espinosa 
 UNFCC