High-level discussions on governance and financing solutions for global environmental action will touch on the ninth replenishment cycle of the GEF (GEF-9), including its strategic priorities and programming directions.

Participants discussed the agenda for the Mountain Partnership going forward, including strong calls for reinforcing the science-policy interface and ensuring mountain issues are better reflected in climate and other international processes.

Delegates met to prepare a set of draft decisions and documents to pave the way for the smooth operationalization of the Agreement. While they reached agreement on many issues, there were disagreements on the rules of procedure, the subsidiary bodies, and the financial rules and regulations.

With some countries and companies ready to begin mining critical minerals on the ocean floor, the Council is facing growing pressure to advance the draft exploitation regulations while ensuring environmental protection, equitable benefit-sharing, and legal certainty.