The Regional Climate Week 2021 for the Latin American and the Caribbean Region blows optimism for success at COP 26

The virtual thematic sessions of the Latin American and Caribbean Climate Week 2021 (LACCW2021), which took place from 11 to 14 May 2021, sent out a very encouraging signal in the run-up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26 in November in Glasgow.

This positive momentum is due to the fact that over 5,000 registered participants joined the conversation, including the host government, the Dominican Republic, governments at all levels, private sector leaders, academic experts and engaged stakeholders.

The virtual sessions resulted in 83 events and some 100 hours of presentations and live discussions, involving some 300 speakers, and over 30 global and regional organisations.

Speaking at the closing press briefing of the sessions, UN Climate Change Deputy Executive Secretary Ovais Sarmad said:

“The successful sessions held over the past four days here show that the climate emergency is well recognized. With only six months to go to COP26, we are at a crucial moment. Many nations are right now developing new or updated Nationally Determined Contributions – national climate action plans under the Paris Agreement – and this is the year we determine if we can get on track to meet the Paris Agreement goals. LACCW 2021 gives us optimism for success at COP 26 because of the momentum we see now, and the potential for more in the future.”

Dr. Max Puig, Executive Vice President of the National Council on Climate Change of the Dominican Republic, said:

“After almost two years without sitting face to face at a discussion table with the Parties to the Convention, the Thematic Sessions of the LAC Regional Climate Week have allowed us to return to the climate agenda with strength and enthusiasm, with the active participation of all relevant stakeholders, including civil society, academia and national and local governments.”

Core organising partners led discussions over four days, on key themes to meeting the world’s common climate challenges:

• The World Bank examined national actions and economy-wide approaches, seeking synergies and shaping national planning for a sustainable, green recovery.
• UNDP led sessions on integrated approaches for climate-resilient development, looking at how both climate risk and climate solutions are reshaping different sectors.
• The UN Environment Programme led discussions on seizing transformation opportunities that explore a reimagined future and the behaviours, technologies and financing needed to get there.

In addition, the COP26 Presidency also hosted a series of events on the final day of LACCW2021, reflecting the UK’s four goals for COP26, namely: mitigation, adaptation, mobilising finance, and collaboration. Issues addressed in this context, include: capacity building on NDC ambition in the region as part of the COP26 Catalyst for Climate Action; dialogues with Indigenous Peoples on leading nature-based solutions; research and innovation; and climate finance.

The outcomes from the 2021 Virtual Thematic Sessions will be captured and framed within the larger context of COP26, during a LACCW2021 Ministerial Event is expected to take place in August

Next steps before COP 26 convenes in Glasgow in November, include:

•  52nd sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies, (31 May-10 June 2021);
• The Asia Pacific Climate Week (6-9 July 2021); and
• The Africa Climate Week (19 – 22 July 2021).

More information on Regional Climate Week, please click here