Twenty-Fourth sessions of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) of the UNFCCC and First session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG) and related meetings   English Français Español 日本語 Archives HTM PDF HTM PDF HTM PDF PDF Curtain Raiser Dialogue Summary Wed 17 Thu 18 Fri 19 Sat 20 Mon 22 Tue 23 Wed 24 Thu 25 Fri 26 & Summary Highlights for Friday, 26 May 2006

SBSTA Chair Kumarsingh opened the last session of SBSTA 24 to adopt conclusions on development and transfer of technologies, scientific, technical and socioeconomic aspects of mitigation, and the five-year programme of work on adaptation. After several comments from the floor expressing deep disappointment at the lack of progress on defining the activities of the adaptation programme of work, he gaveled the meeting to a close at 10:56 am.

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Above photos L-R: Richard Kinley, Officer-in-Charge, UNFCCC Secretariat; Halldor Thorgeirsson, UNFCCC Secretariat; SBSTA Chair Kishan Kumarsingh, Frank Rauch, UNFCCC Secretariat and Olga Pilifosova, UNFCCC Secretariat. SBSTA: Closing Statements   Co-Chair Helen Plume (New Zealand) reported on the discussions on the five-year programme of work on adaptation, noting that parties had no common interpretation of the task mandated at this session. The US said she hoped clear language in the conclusions would allow for progress in Nairobi.   Above photos L-R: Contact Group on Adaptation Co-Chair Helen Plume, Christo Artusio (US) and Ko Barret (US) making a closing statement.

South Africa, for the G77/China, expressed deep disappointment that the work on adaptation could not be completed given that the group was ready to accept text with very minor amendments. Jamaica echoed this disappointment, noting the consequences of this delay for small island developing states. Above photos L-R: Judy Beaumont (South Africa); Clifford Mahlung (Jamaica)

The Philippines regretted that the political will expressed at some levels of government is not reflected by negotiators on the ground. Sudan also expressed disappointment and said the UNFCCC should take the lead on adaptation.

Above photos L-R: Joyceline Goco and Bernarditas Mueller (The Philippines); Nagmeldin Goutbi Elhassan (Sudan)

SBSTA Chair Kumarsingh noted common agreement on the need to complete the work on adaptation in Nairobi and urged parties to internalize the implications of a failure to do so. The Russian Federation stressed the importance of simple and unambiguous language on adaptation.

Above photos L-R: SBSTA Chair Kishan Kumarsingh gaveled the meeting to a close at 10:56 am; Delegates from the Russian Federation. 

Above photo: Kenyan delegates to SB 24 presented UNFCCC Secretariat staff with traditional Masaai clothing.

ENB INTERVIEWS: Richard Kinley, Officer-In-Charge, UNFCCC Secretariat

Above photos L-R: ENB SB 24 Climate Change Team interviews Richard Kinley, Officer-In-Charge, UNFCCC Secretariat.

Photos from the CAN Press Conference:

“After two weeks of negotiations, the brakes are off and the process is moving forward,” said Jennifer Morgan, Director of WWF’s Global Climate Change Programme. “However, a serious scale-up in the intensity of work is needed or the impacts of climate change will quickly overtake this process if countries are not careful.” Read the full WWF statement: Above photos L-R: Jennifer Morgan, (WWF); Steven Guilbeault (Greenpeace)

Photos from the UNFCCC Press Conference:

Read the full UNFCCC Press release. Above photos L-R: John Hay, UNFCCC Secretariat, Feng Gao, Deputy Executive Secretary  for SBI, Richard Kinley, Officer-in-Charge, UNFCCC Secretariat; Halldor Thorgeirsson, UNFCCC Secretariat.

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