Highlights and images for 21 June 2025

As the first week of SB 62 draws to a close, a special event is held to celebrate 10 years since the signing of the Paris Agreement, and to honour people who were part of the process

As the first week of SB 62 draws to a close, a special event is held to celebrate 10 years since the signing of the Paris Agreement, and to honor the people who were part of the process

It is a fairly common feature across multilateral processes to have a space for countries to present their progress reports and foster collective discussions on lessons learned. The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, for example, serves as a platform for countries to showcase advances towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

For the longest time, there were different processes for developed and developing countries to present their reports in the context of the climate process. With the Paris Agreement’s Enhanced Transparency Framework in effect, there now is a unified platform for developed and developing countries to present their Biennial Transparency Reports: the “Facilitative, Multilateral Consideration of Progress” (FMCP), which held its first session on Saturday. Andorra, Guyana, and Panama were the first to present in this new format, which will take place annually at the June meetings.

Want to dig deeper into today's talks? Read the full Earth Negotiations Bulletin daily report.

Simon Stiell, UNFCCC Executive Secretary

Negotiations continued on a range of issues. Delegates debated how to enhance observer engagement in the process, especially from underrepresented regions. They reflected on possible modalities, such as a change in speaking order to ensure civil society representatives are not speaking to empty rooms, and rules for civil society messaging on UN premises. Several groups that have already been granted constituency status in the UNFCCC are calling for recognition of a disability constituency.

Discussions on climate science showcased divergences with regard to carbon dioxide removal and abatement technologies. The UK wanted to emphasize their limits and risks, while the Arab Group wanted to maximize their potential.

Delegates huddle informally in the corridors

Delegates huddle in the corridors

In the afternoon, a special event commemorated the ten-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement’s adoption. UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell highlighted that without it we would be headed for up to 5°C of heating. While the Agreement is currently insufficient to keep within 1.5°C, he noted it has driven investment in renewables and helped cement the crucial importance of climate action, including through court cases.

The event showcased key players’ reflections on the process that led to the major breakthrough in 2015. Jo Tyndall, who co-chaired the working group that prepared the Agreement’s entry into force, highlighted the importance of US-China relations in mobilizing broader support. She also addressed the elephant in the room: widespread disappointment about the US withdrawing from the Agreement for the second time. Paul Watkinson shared insights into the French Presidency’s approach for building support toward the Agreement’s adoption, emphasizing the challenge of bringing all government entities on board and the need to keep an open-door policy.