Amid geopolitical upheaval, new evidence that global warming is accelerating, and concerns that attention to climate change is taking a back seat to issues like cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is continuing its work to prepare its Seventh Assessment Report on the state of knowledge on climate change.

During its 64th session, the Panel heard progress reports from its three Working Groups, including Working Group I, which will produce a report on the Physical Science Basis of climate change, Working Group II, which will report on Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability, and Working Group III, which will report on Mitigation of Climate Change. Participants also heard progress reports from the IPCC Chair and Vice-Chairs, the Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, the Gender Action Team, the IPCC Scholarship Programme, and on communication and outreach activities.

The Panel addressed fundraising for the IPCC Trust Fund, which supports participation of developing country experts in the IPCC, the organization of meetings, and the publication and translation of IPCC reports, among other activities. The IPCC is funded by its parent organizations, the World Meteorological Organization and the UN Environment Programme, as well as by voluntary contributions from member governments and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Geopolitical challenges affecting the UN, including the US’ recent withdrawal of participation and financial support for the IPCC, have created financial strain for the Panel.

The IPCC considered a report on the pre-plenary briefing session held before the 61st session, with a view to holding similar meetings before future sessions of the Panel. The Panel also reviewed IPCC principles and procedures, aim to approve the draft reports of its past three sessions, consider the admission of observers, and address matters related to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

The timeline for production of AR7, a controversial issue which has thus far eluded agreement, was not originally on the agenda for this session.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides policymakers with regular scientific assessments on climate change, its implications and risks, as well as adaptation and mitigation options. Since its establishment in 1988, the IPCC has prepared a series of comprehensive assessment reports and special reports that provide scientific information on climate change to the international community to inform climate policymaking.

The IPCC is made up of 195 governments that are members of the United Nations or the World Meteorological Organization. Its reports are based on the work of thousands of experts who volunteer as IPCC authors.

IPCC-64 convened from 24-27 March 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) writers for this meeting were Jessica Templeton, Ph.D.; and H. Wilkins. The Digital Editor was Anastasia Rodopoulou. The Editor was Pam Chasek, Ph.D.