Highlights and images for 17 June 2026

Negotiations under the UN’s climate process take place in a range of formats. They typically start in plenary with everyone—Parties and observers—present. This is when they agree on the agenda of the meeting. Then, different agenda items are pushed out to smaller groups known as contact groups or informal consultations, which are typically also open to both Parties and observers. 

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

Even this is rarely sufficient: many knotty or particularly difficult issues are taken up in “informal-informals,” which are only open to government representatives. Parties also convene in so-called “huddles.” From a distance, these look like a gathering of friends, as delegates sit or stand close together. But they actually allow negotiation coalitions to devise a common position or engage with opposing groups to come up with a compromise. Huddles give way to the most earnest and intense negotiations. 

The penultimate day of the 2026 June Climate Meetings saw discussions in all these different formats as Parties labored hard to finish their work.

Delegates negotiating text on the work programme on mitigation saw some progress, achieved after an almost two-hour huddle, with Parties trying to decide if and how to forward a record of their discussions to the next session in Türkiye. A “non-exhaustive reflection” of Parties’ views, prepared by the Co-Facilitators, was met with resistance from several groups. Ultimately, though, the huddle worked and Parties tasked Brazil, in its national capacity, to produce a collection of Parties’ views for their consideration.

On the Global Goal on Adaptation, despite several huddles, Parties were unable to resolve outstanding issues. Discussions on the Adaptation Fund fared somewhat better. After many rounds of amendments and huddles in various constellations, Parties were able to reach agreement on capturing progress made in Bonn. 

Other negotiations were even more successful. After a marathon session, a group working on just transition finally agreed on the terms of reference for the work programme’s review. Again, huddles helped, although in this case a very timely intervention from the contact group Co-Chair, who suggested compromise language everyone could accept, was what was needed for Parties to reach agreement.

The last day of the June Climate Meetings will see Parties try to likewise conclude discussions on the outstanding issues. It is expected to be a long day.