Friday, 26 April 2002
BRIEFING NOTE
ON THE PREPARATORY MEETING OF THE EXPERT GROUP ON TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
22 APRIL 2002
Editor's
Note: This Briefing Note was prepared by Chris Spence,
chris@iisd.org,
for the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD).
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The preparatory meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC) Expert Group on Technology Transfer (EGTT) took
place on 22 April 2002 at the office of the Korea Energy Management
Corporation (KEMCO) in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
The Expert Group on Technology Transfer was established by Parties at
the Seventh Conference of Parties (COP-7) to the UNFCCC, held in
Marrakesh in November 2001 (decision 4/CP.7). At the Expert Group’s
preparatory meeting, which was attended by fourteen Party members,
delegates aimed to begin the Group’s activities by electing its officers
and exchanging views on possible elements for a programme of work.
The preparatory meeting was opened by Halldor Thorgeirsson, Chair of the
UNFCCC’s Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA).
Participants elected Jukka Uosukainen (Finland) as Chair of the Expert
Group, and William Kojo Agyemang-Bonsu (Ghana) as Vice Chair.
Following the election of officers, the Expert Group was briefed on
progress made and the status of work on technology transfer. Delegates
considered a report on the outcome of the Technology Information
Workshop held in Beijing from 18-19 April, noting the constructive
discussions, which will be considered up by SBSTA in June 2002 at the
Sixteenth Sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies (SB-16). Regarding
the possible dates and venues of its future meetings, the Expert Group
agreed to convene on 3 and 8 June during SB-16, and proposed 17-18
October as tentative dates to meet prior to SB-17.
On possible elements
of a work programme and expected outputs for 2002, participants
considered the framework outlined in the Annex to the COP-7 decision on
technology transfer (decision 4/CP.7). The Expert Group requested the
UNFCCC Secretariat to prepare a draft work programme for 2002-2003 and
possibly beyond, for consideration at SB-16. The Expert Group will seek
to agree on this work programme at its meeting on 3 June.
On rules and procedures, the Expert Group considered rules it could
adopt in addition to those agreed by Parties at COP-7. In particular,
participants considered the possible involvement of international
organizations, resource person, and other observers at its meetings.
Discussion on this matter will continue on 3 June. Members also agreed
to establish an internet-based forum for continuing dialogue on the
issues taken up during this preparatory meeting.
