Issue #251 | 25 April 2016

22 April 2016: An estimated 175 world leaders marked Earth Day by adding their signature to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change on the first day that it was opened for signature. More.

Photo: Leonardo DiCaprio, Actor and UN Envoy on Climate Change, addressing the plenary

21 April 2016: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) held a High-level Thematic Debate on Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with high-level officials from approximately 136 UN Member States making statements on taking action at the country level, and interactive dialogues addressing ‘financing poverty eradication and sustainable development' and ‘technology and data for SDGs.' More.

Photo: View of the opening ceremony of the High-level Thematic Debate on Achieving the SDGs at the chamber of the UN General Assembly

13 April 2016: During the 43rd session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC-43), the Panel considered its role in supporting the implementation of the Paris Agreement as the IPCC embarks on its sixth assessment cycle. In planning for the cycle, the IPCC decided to undertake three special reports (SRs), flag cities as an SR for the seventh assessment report (AR7) cycle, refine the IPCC 2006 Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventories through a methodology report and integrate regional aspects more thoroughly into AR6. It was also announced that Abdalah Mokssit (Morroco) will be the next IPCC Secretary. More.

11 April 2016: The first session of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom 1) on the elements of a draft text of an international legally binding instrument under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreed on a number of procedural and substantial issues. The meeting marked the beginning of discussions on a formal process that is expected to lead to the adoption of a new UNCLOS implementing agreement on deep-sea biodiversity. More.

8April 2016: The 37th meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG 37) of the parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer discussed challenges involved with adopting a Protocol amendment regarding hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The Group reached agreement on compromise draft text for a formal exemption for high-ambient temperature (HAT) countries, and a linked deferral procedure, but suspended the session without completion of other matters, including on financing. More.

8 April 2016: The 3rd Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD3) adopted an outcome statement to guide the work of partners and stakeholders on agricultural research and food systems and to align research activities with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the priorities of countries. More.