The International Seabed Authority will continue trying to balance pressures to accelerate or delay deep-sea mining activities in areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.

Participants welcomed growing recognition of the role of the Ocean in climate ambition, and several expressed optimism that momentum arising from the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue may show the way to tangible action and commitments at COP 31.

The successful end of 18 months of negotiations for the ninth replenishment of the GEF Trust Fund “represents a renewed vote of confidence in multilateralism, in the GEF partnership, and in the importance of the global environment.” Many also urged prioritizing the private sector’s involvement and participants pointed to the vast finance gap all MEAs face.

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.