EU to take part in ministerial dialogue ahead of UN climate talks

Ahead of the next UN climate conference (COP23), Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete and Estonian Environment Minister Siim Kiisler will represent the EU and its Member States at a ministerial dialogue known as ‘pre-COP‘ in Nadi, Fiji, on 17-18 October. The meeting is the final step in the preparations for COP23, which will take place in Bonn, Germany, on 6-17 November. Ministers will exchange views on countries’ political priorities and expectations for COP23 and discuss key issues concerning the implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change. Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete said: “Fiji knows first-hand the effects of climate change and we look forward to its leadership as Presidency of COP23. At the conference next month, the international community will need to demonstrate its continued commitment to the Paris Agreement and make substantive progress on the work programme for its implementation.” The pre-COP meeting will prepare the ground for negotiations at COP23 on the work programme for implementing the Paris Agreement, which Parties have agreed to adopt by 2018. Ministers will also discuss the Facilitative Dialogue to be held next year to take stock of Parties’ collective efforts towards the Agreement’s goals. The inclusive and transparent consultations held by the current Moroccan and incoming Fijian COP Presidencies have been exemplary in the run-up to the pre-COP. More information on the Commission’s website.