For the first time, the Conference of the Parties, the main forum for deliberating on the global climate agenda, will be held in Brazil – and in the heart of the Amazon region. The meeting, which begins on Monday, is expected to bring together about 60,000 people in Belem. The agenda is expected to last until November 21, but there is the possibility of extending the event if negotiations falter. (Learn more in the link at the end of this report)
All 198 signatory countries of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) can participate in the conference. In addition to heads of state and ministers – who already met at the Leaders’ Summit last week – scholars, activists, civil society and business representatives usually participate in the discussions.
Moreover, it is common for countries to organize themselves into groups and alliances, due to regional issues or specific agendas. There is, for example, the Group of 77, which unites developing countries.
COP negotiations align global interests around concrete goals, such as targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, financing mechanisms for climate projects, the transition to a low-carbon economy and other global agreements. The COP Presidency prioritizes topics, sets objectives and shapes discussions.
Technical discussions and agreements
The first week of COPs is usually devoted to more technical discussions, while the second week focuses on political meetings and signing of agreements. The way has already been paved since the leaders’ summit held last Thursday and Friday.
The targets set at the end of the COP must be by consensus, and all countries have the right to vote. Although decisions of this type require discussions throughout the year, memorandums are usually finalized and signed at the conference.
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