Summary
Highlights for Monday, 24 February 2020
On Monday, 24 February, the 52nd session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC-52) opened at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, with an artistic dance performance, titled “Step for a Change,” performed by the “Les Arts en Scène” dance troupe. Delegates also stood for a moment of silence in memory of former IPCC Chair Rajendra K. Pachauri, who passed away on 13 February 2020. In the morning, delegates heard opening statements by dignitaries, including Élisabeth Borne, Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition, France; José Cassandra, President of the Regional Government of Principe Autonomous Region, São Tomé e Príncipe; Petteri Taalas, WMO Secretary-General; and Inger Anderson, UNEP Executive Director.In his presentation, IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee pointed to progress in the productivity and financial security of the IPCC, while also drawing attention to the need to update its institutional arrangements. Florin Vladu, UNFCCC, highlighted the IPCC’s role in elucidating options to accelerate climate action under the UNFCCC, with AR6 as a key input for the second periodic review under the Convention and the first global stocktake under the Paris Agreement.During the afternoon plenary, delegates discussed the IPCC-52 agenda, agreeing not to include a proposed item on “Enhancing support to the IPCC Secretariat.” Many, however, highlighted the urgent need for swifter translations of IPCC reports. Delegates also engaged in lengthy discussions on procedural matters related to the Task Group on Data Support for Climate Change Assessments and how to proceed with discussions on the outline for the Synthesis Report.
An evening reception was hosted by UNESCO. Plenary will resume Tuesday morning.
Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) has provided daily web updates and a summary and analysis report from IPCC-52. The summary and analysis report is now available in HTML and PDF.
Photos by IISD/ENB | Leila Mead
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