Highlights and images for 16 May 2022

Discussing how to improve procedures for communicating information and the quality and formats of reports to be submitted to the Conference of the Parties (COP) was the first matter taken up at the morning meeting of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC). Participants highlighted:

• lack of response from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) on provision of financial support for national reporting;
• the need to align timing of resources with reporting deadlines;
• the urgent need for capacity building and national-level technical expertise to ensure high quality reports;
• useful innovations and open questions pertaining to functionalities and indicators of online-resources provided by the Secretariat;
• concerns around using default data and integration of national datasets; and
• focusing on reporting could divert resources away from actual implementation.

To dive deeper, read the daily Earth Negotiations Bulletin report.

Pour aller plus en profondeur, lisez le rapport quotidien du Bulletin des Négociations de la Terre.

Two further agenda items were discussed in the CRIC, including integrating Sustainable Development Goal 15 (SDG 15) and the related target 15.3 into the implementation of the Convention and Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), as well as the development and promotion of activities for targeted capacity building to further the implementation of the Convention. Seven panelists from each regional implementation annex, Western Europe and Other States (WEOS), and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) then engaged on two main topics: what capacity-building activities have been undertaken in their constituencies; and what needs to be done to enhance capacity-building processes moving forward.

The Committee of the Whole (COW) convened in the afternoon to consider progress in the implementation of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

In discussing the promotion and strengthening of relationships with other relevant conventions and international organizations, institutions and agencies, delegates raised:

• urgency to address the climate, biodiversity and land degradation challenges together;
• commitment to strengthen interlinkages among the Rio Conventions, and other relevant bodies and institutions; and
• encouragement of projects that use integrated approaches.

Two COW contact groups on budget and other matters, and a CRIC contact group met during the afternoon and evening. Several side events were held throughout the day and into the evening.