The road to COP: A guide to international climate negotiations and events

This article provides an overview of international climate negotiations and events, in addition to COP, which take place throughout the year. Whilst it is not an exhaustive list, it is intended to indicate the types of events that take place and provide some key details about each of them.

The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the pinnacle of annual climate meetings, functioning as the primary decision-making body for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Alongside COP, key events like the Bonn Climate Change Conference and the UN General Assembly High-Level Week provide platforms for ongoing negotiations and setting the agenda for future climate action. These gatherings, coupled with regional and local climate weeks, unite stakeholders from government, industry, and civil society to advance the goals of the Paris Agreement and foster discussions on sustainable development and climate finance.

The Conference of the Parties (COP)

What? The Conference of the Parties (COP) is an annual meeting of the State Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). COP is the most high-profile and consequential climate event of the year and includes high-level attendees across government, international organisations, industry and civil society.

The COP is the supreme decision-making body of the UNFCCC. Each year the COP reviews the implementation of the UNFCCC and makes decisions to improve implementation. One of the key agenda items for the CMA (the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement) at COP28 will be the Global Stocktake where stakeholders will measure the success of implementation the goals of the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement.

When? November/December

Bonn Climate Change Conference

What? The Bonn Climate Change Conference takes place in Bonn, Germany (the headquarters of the UNFCCC Secretariat) between COPs every year.

At Bonn, the two subsidiary bodies of the UNFCCC (SBI and SBSTA) hold negotiation sessions to make headway on key issues. The SBSTA promotes collaboration in the field of climate change research while the SBI is the body charged with overseeing implementation of the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement. The Conference acts as a lookahead to that year’s COP and is often the place where a lot of the groundwork for COP is done.

The Conference is also a meeting place for non-state actors such as civil society, international organisations, academics and the private sector.

When? Annually, between the COPs. In 2023, it took place in June.

UN General Assembly (UNGA)

What? The UN General Assembly High-Level Week takes place in September every year. The UNGA General Debate section of the week acts as a forum for high-level government representatives to make contributions on various global issues, including climate change.

The week also provides an opportunity for many other high-level meetings and side events on pressing issues, including those related to climate.

When? September

World Bank and International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings

What? The Board of Governors of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund host an annual meeting that brings together ministers for finance and development, representatives from central banks, private sector executives and civil society.

While the meeting deals with the broader agenda of both institutions, climate and development feature heavily on the programme of events.

When? October

Ministerial meeting on Climate Action

What? The Ministerial on Climate Action is an annual ministerial meeting on climate action co-hosted by the EU, Canada and China.

It brings together ministers and other high-level representatives from over 30 countries to discuss climate priorities and further the goals of the Paris Climate Change Agreement.

When? July

European Climate Summit

What? The European Climate Summit is an annual conference organised by the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) in collaboration with industry organisations such as the International Energy Agency, the International Carbon Action Partnership, the European Federation of Energy Traders and the Association of European Energy Exchanges.

The ECS is aimed at private sector experts and policymakers from the carbon and energy world. Similar summits hosted by the IETA are also held in North America, Asia and Latin America.

When? March/April

Africa Climate Week

What? Africa Climate Week is one of 4 Regional Climate Weeks (RCW) held each year in advance of, and in preparation for, that year’s COP.

Each RCW brings together stakeholders from both the public and private sectors and aims to provide regionally focused discussions along 4 major themes: Energy systems and industry, Cities, urban and rural settlements, infrastructure and transport, Land, ocean, food and water, Societies, health, livelihoods and economies.

RCWs are backed by the UN and by regional partners. In the case of Africa Climate Week, that includes the African Union, the African Development Bank and the UN Economic Commission for Africa.

When? September

Middle East and North Africa Climate Week

What? Middle East and North Africa Climate Week is one of 4 RCWs held each year in advance of, and in preparation for, that year’s COP. Like other RCWs, this event brings together stakeholders from both the public and private sectors and aims to provide regional-focused discussions along the 4 major themes noted above.

In addition to support from the UN, Middle East and North Africa Climate Week is held in partnership with the International Renewable Energy Agency, the Islamic Development Bank, the League of Arab States and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia.

When? October

Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week

What? Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week is one of 4 RCWs held each year in advance of, and in preparation for, that year’s COP.

Each RCW brings together stakeholders from both the public and private sectors and aims to provide regional-focused discussions along the 4 major themes noted above.

Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week is held in partnership with the Government of Panama, the Inter-American Development Bank, the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean and the Banco de Desarrollo de America Latina Y El Caribe (Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean).

When? October 2023

Asia-Pacific Climate Week

What? Asia-Pacific Climate Week is one of 4 RCWs held each year in advance of, and in preparation for, that year’s COP.

Like the other RCWs, it brings together stakeholders from both the public and private sectors and aims to provide regional-focused discussions along the 4 major themes noted above.

Asia-Pacific Climate Week is held in partnership with the Asian Development Bank, the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, the UN Global Compact- Network Malaysia and Brunei and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.

When? November 2023

London Climate Action Week

What? Taking place at the end of June every year, London Climate Action Week (LCAW) is one of the world’s largest independent climate events.

It brings together London-based climate communities and professionals to discuss London’s journey to become a more sustainable city and demonstrate success stories.

The LCAW organising team provides a platform for independent events to be held as part of the wider week, provided they are not sponsored by fossil fuel companies or undermine climate action.

When? June

New York Climate Week

What? Held annually in New York City since its inception in 2009, New York Climate Week brings together business leaders, political change makers, local decision takers and representatives of civil society from all over the world, to attend events and engage in discussions to drive action on climate change.

Whilst the event is held in partnership with the UN General Assembly and in coordination with the UN and the City of New York, the event is hosted by Climate Group, an international non-profit whose purpose is to drive climate action, fast.

It is not a UNFCCC event like COP or the Bonn Climate Change Conference, but due to its proximity (in time) to COP, it is an important driver of progress and ambition.

When? September

World Conference on Climate Change and Sustainability

What? The World Conference on Climate Change and Sustainability is an annual conference organised by a committee of climate experts and is aimed at climate leaders from the worlds of academia, business, the public sector and nonprofits.

The conference focuses on bridging the gap between science and other disciplines and bringing together stakeholders from different sectors.

When? October

Summit for a New Global Financing Pact

What? Held for the first time in 2023, the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact was called for by the French President, Emmanuel Macron, and held in France. Bringing together state representatives, international organisations, civil society, academics and the private sector, the aim of the event was to build a new contract between the countries of the North and the South to address climate change and the global crisis.

It's not clear whether this event or related events will be held in the years to come, but it is certain that holding this event this year signals the important of negotiations on climate finance in the run up to COP.

When? June