Highlights and images for 24 March 2026

Against a backdrop of intensifying extreme weather events, geopolitical conflict, and strain on the global economy, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change opened its 64th session (IPCC-64) in Bangkok. During the opening ceremony, leaders from Thailand and UN intergovernmental organizations acknowledged these challenges and commended the Panel’s work to provide critical scientific information to policymakers.  

Describing IPCC reports as a cornerstone for climate policymaking at the global, regional and local levels, Raweewan Bhuridej, Permanent Secretary of Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said a close link between science and policy ensures that global climate actions remain credible, transparent, and grounded in robust evidence. She also underscored the importance of funding the IPCC, noting this in turn supports the Global Stocktake and the international community’s ability to assess its progress toward achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.  

Ko Barrett, Deputy Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), also touched on the financial pressures facing the IPCC Trust Fund, calling for sustained and, where possible, increased support from member governments.

Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), also highlighted the importance of increased government contributions to the IPCC Trust Fund, saying that expenditures from the IPCC Trust Fund have exceeded contributions over the last few years. She warned that if this pattern continues, the Trust Fund’s cash balance will be “depleted before the end of the seventh cycle, impacting both this cycle and the transition to the next.” 

Both Barrett and Andersen underscored the importance of another key agenda item for IPCC-64 – review of its principles and procedures. Barrett emphasized that this regular review ensures the Panel’s rigor and integrity, and Andersen said these reviews ensure transparent, robust, and inclusive outputs.  

Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) described the IPCC as a beacon of integrity, honesty, and accuracy. Noting that “almost” every country is behind the IPCC, Stiell stressed the critical importance of the IPCC’s work in ensuring that the best available science feeds into the Global Stocktake.  

IPCC Chair Jim Skea concluded the opening ceremony by recognizing the Panel’s substantial progress in the seventh assessment cycle, emphasizing that “despite testing times, the Panel has proven its strength as an important multilateral forum and a unique science-policy interface able to carefully build and foster international consensus – a precious commodity in today’s world.”  

The remainder of IPCC-64 will be conducted behind closed doors. ENB will provide limited daily coverage of proceedings; a detailed summary of deliberations will be published after the session concludes.