China’s cross-cutting research on environment and development, which shapes its national policies toward an ecological civilization, as well as international cooperation in a world of interconnected environmental and development challenges will take center stage in the deliberations. Discussions will focus on innovation in global environmental governance; inclusive energy transition; sustainable production and consumption systems; and national green governance.

Negotiators at UNCCD COP 17 considered a wide array of decisions on enhancing efforts to address desertification, land degradation and drought.

Committing to make the final years of the 2030 Agenda count, participants at the HLPF showed the Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals have delivered meaningful progress—though uneven and backsliding in some quarters.

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.