Calendar of Major Policy Events
2016
January
11-15 January 2016 Geneva, Switzerland
CITES SC66
The 66th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES SC66) will meet in Geneva, Switzerland.
http://www.cites.org/eng/news/calendar.php
http://cites.org/eng/com/sc/index.php
16-17 January 2016 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Sixth Session of the IRENA Assembly
The sixth session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly will consider,
among other things, the Agency's work programme for 2016/2017 and review its medium-term
strategy.
http://www.irena.org/menu/index.aspx?mnu=cat&PriMenuID=30&CatID=142
20-23 January 2016 Davos-Klosters, Switzerland
World Economic Forum Annual Meeting
Mastering the Fourth Industrial Revolution: The Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters remains the
foremost creative force for engaging the world’s top leaders in collaborative activities focused on
shaping the global, regional and industry agendas.
http://www.weforum.org/events/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2016
27-29 January 2016
Geneva, Switzerland
UNISDR Science and Technology Conference on the Implementation of the Sendai Framework
This conference will promote and support the availability and application of science and technology to
disaster risk reduction (DRR)-related decision making. It will bring together the science and
technology community, policymakers, practitioners and researchers from all geographical regions to
discuss how the science and technology community can support implementation of the Sendai
Framework for DRR 2015-2030. The expected conference outcomes are to: launch the UN Office for
DRR's (UNISDR) Science and Technology Partnership for implementing the Framework; discuss and
endorse the UNISDR Science and Technology Roadmap to 2030; and identify expected outcomes of
science and technology work under the Framework's priorities for action and ways to monitor
progress and review emerging needs.
http://www.unisdr.org/we/inform/events/45270 http://www.unisdr.org/partners/academiaresearch/conference/2016/
28 January 2016 UN Headquarters, New York City, US
IAEG-SDGs Briefing on Global Indicators Framework
Convened by UN General Assembly (UNGA) President, this meeting will provide an update on the
work of the Inter-Agency and Expert Group on the Sustainable Development Goals Indicators (IAEGSDGs). The global indicator framework to be developed by the IAEG-SDGs is expected to be agreed
by the UNSC in March 2016, and adopted thereafter by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
and the UNGA, "in line with existing mandates."
http://www.un.org/en/ga/info/meetings/70schedule.shtml http://www.un.org/pga/70/wpcontent/uploads/sites/10/2015/08/The-2030-Agenda-for-Sustainable-Development.pdf
February
9-12 February 2016
Athens, Greece
th
19 Ordinary Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention for the Protection of the
Marine Environment and Coastal Region of the Mediterranean (Barcelona Convention) and its
Protocols
COP 19 is expected to examine a number of strategic matters, such as the Integrated Monitoring and
Assessment Programme, the revised Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development, the
implementation of the Marine Litter Regional Plan and the Regional Plan on Sustainable Consumption
and Production, and to adopt relevant decisions.
COP 19 coincides with the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Barcelona Convention. It will
include a Ministerial Segment on 11 February 2016, with the theme: 'Forty years of cooperation for a
healthy and productive Mediterranean Sea and coast: a collective journey towards sustainable
development'. The theme encompasses the long experience of UNEP/MAP in contributing to the
protection of the Mediterranean environment and the current progress being made in the field of
sustainable development, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and COP 21 of the
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
15-19 February 2016 Bangkok, Thailand
ASEAN Conference on Biodiversity 2016 – Biodiversity for Sustainable Development
ACB2016 aims to provide a forum for exchanging perspectives on initiatives that address biodiversity
issues in the region and discussing steps forward in advancing the ASEAN biodiversity agenda within
the context of the Aichi Targets and the newly adopted global mandate on the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development.
http://www.aseanbiodiversity.org/acb2016/
15- 19 February 2016 Geneva, Switzerland
th
29 Session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic
Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore, World Intellectual Property Organisation
(WIPO- IGC)
The WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional
Knowledge and Folklore is, in accordance with its mandate, undertaking text-based negotiations with
the objective of reaching agreement on a text(s) of an international legal instrument(s), which will
ensure the effective protection of traditional knowledge (TK), traditional cultural expressions (TCEs)
and genetic resources (GRs). This session will be dedicated to genetic resources.
http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=38983
20-21 February 2016 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Stakeholder Days Prior to IPBES-4
The Stakeholder Days, organized prior to the fourth Plenary Session of the Intergovernmental
Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES-4), aim to provide observers and
stakeholders of IPBES with updates about the IPBES process and their engagement in IPBES-4, and
to provide an opportunity to prepare joint positions on key issues.
http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=5da0fed71c7e4399fb28ab549&id=9726b7efc5
http://ipbes.net/registrationformipbes4
22-28 February 2016 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Fourth Session of the IPBES Plenary
The fourth session of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem
Services (IPBES) Plenary will review progress made on the adopted IPBES work programme for
2014–2018, including the related budget and institutional arrangements for its implementation. It will,
in particular, be invited to consider the two first full assessment reports of IPBES on pollination and
pollinators associated with food production, and scenarios analysis and modelling of biodiversity and
ecosystem services. The reports will be considered for adoption and their respective summary for
policymakers will be considered for approval.
https://gallery.mailchimp.com/5da0fed71c7e4399fb28ab549/files/IPBES_4_Invitation_Letter_2015061
9.pdf
March
8-11 March 2016 UN Headquarters, New York City, US
47th Session of UN Statistical Commission
The 47th Session of the UN Statistical Commission (UNSC) is expected to agree on the indicator
framework and set of indicators for the post-2015 development agenda, among other agenda items.
http://unstats.un.org/unsd/statcom/47th-session
http://unstats.un.org/unsd/broaderprogress/pdf/SA-2014-9-Post2015.pdf
14-18 March 2016 Peru (tentative)
Fourteenth Session of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XIV)
The 14th session of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XIV) will consider how
to implement the post-2015 development agenda in relation to global trade and economic
development issues. The meeting will decide on UNCTAD's programme of work and will also consider
the most appropriate means of delivering on the post-2015 development agenda.
http://unctad.org/en/pages/MeetingDetails.aspx?meetingid=808
http://unctad.org/en/Pages/Meetings/UNCTAD-Conferences.aspx
14-17 March 2016 Lima, Peru
4th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves
The Ministry of Environment of Peru (MINAM) through its National Service of Natural Areas Protected
by the State (SERNANP) and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)'s
Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme are hosting the 4th World Congress to address issues related
to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Post-2015 Development Agenda. Specifically,
the goal is to review implementation of the Madrid Action Plan for Biosphere Reserves 2008-2013, the
Seville Strategy and the Statutory Framework of 1995. The Congress will assess lessons learned and
new challenges faced by the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, and will develop and launch an
Action Plan for Biosphere Reserves for 2016-2025.
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/singleview/news/the_government_of_peru_and_unescos_mab_programme_announce_the_4th_world_con
gress_of_biosphere_reserves/#.VSwz8xPF8qt
28 March - 8 April 2016 UN Headquarters, New York City, US
Ad Hoc Open-Ended Informal Working Group to Study Issues Relating to the Conservation and
Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity Beyond Areas of National Jurisdiction
The Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and
sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction (BBNJ) will meet at
UN Headquarters in New York, US, from 28 March-8 April 2016, to continue its work on the elements
of a draft text of an international legally-binding instrument under the UN Convention on the Law of
the Sea (UNCLOS).
http://www.un.org/depts/los/biodiversityworkinggroup/biodiversityworkinggroup.htm
30 March – 1 April Mexico DF, Mexico
3rd Meeting of the IAEG – SDGs (tentative)
The IAEG-SDGs was established by the Statistical Commission at its 46th session to develop an
indicator framework for the monitoring of the goals and targets of the post-2015 development
agenda at the global level, and to support its implementation.
http://unstats.un.org/sdgs/iaeg-sdgs/
April
11-12 April 2016 UN Headquarters, New York City, US
UNGA High-level Thematic Debate: Implementing Commitments on Sustainable Development,
Climate Change and Financing
The President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) will convene a high-level thematic debate on
sustainable development, climate change and financing. This event is one of three high-level events
the President will convene during UNGA 70. The event will allow for Member States to present the
steps they are taking to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and to look at
inter-connections between Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) on climate change,
the broader Paris Agreement and overall implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs), and to share thinking on how to effectively integrate climate action into sustainable
development strategies.
http://www.un.org/pga/70/2015/12/15/remarks-at-briefing-on-cop-and-hltd-on-sustainabledevelopment-goals/
http://www.un.org/pga/70/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2015/08/2015_Nov_04_High-level-ThematicDebates-in-2016-4-November-2015.pdf
18-21 April 2016 Bonn, Germany
1st Meeting of the Sessional Committee of the CMS Scientific Council
The 1st Meeting of the Sessional Committee of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory
Species of Wild Animals (CMS) Scientific Council will meet in Bonn, Germany.
http://www.cms.int/en/news/2015031-dates-and-venue-1st-meeting-sessional-committee-cmsscientific-council
22 April 2016 UN Headquarters, New York City, US
High-Level Signing Ceremony for Paris Agreement
A high-level signing ceremony, convened by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, will take place as a
first step in implementing the Paris Agreement, which was adopted in Paris, France, on 12 December
2015. The Agreement will then be open for signature in New York, US, until 17 April 2017. Countries
will also need to adopt the agreement within their own legal systems, through ratification, acceptance,
approval or accession. The agreement will enter into force when joined by at least 55 countries, which
together represent at least 55% of global emissions. The ceremony is taking place on International
Mother Earth Day.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=52823#.VnRYJzbIsQQ
http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2015/cop21/eng/l09.pdf
25-27 April 2016 New York City, US
UNFF AHEG1 (tentative)
The first meeting of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Ad Hoc Expert Group (AHEG) of the UN
Forum on Forests (UNFF) is expected to start developing proposals on a range of legal and financing
options with regard to forests.
http://www.un.org/esa/forests/
25 April - 7 May 2016 Montreal, Canada
20th Meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Subsidiary Body on Scientific,
Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA20) and First Meeting of the Subsidiary Body on
Implementation (SBI1)
The twentieth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice
(SBSTTA 20) and the first meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation of the Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD) will be held back to back, in Montreal, Canada.
http://www.cbd.int/doc/notifications/2015/ntf-2015-003-cop13-en.pdf
27-29 April 2016 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
First World Environmental Law Congress
The World Environmental Law Congress will provide a global forum to advance the role of law in
developing and implementing solutions that will ensure ecological sustainability. The Congress theme
is Environmental Rule of Law, Justice and Planetary Sustainability. The Congress will involve a
broad variety of legal institutions and actors, including judges, government agencies,
intergovernmental organizations, multilateral financial institutions, public interest organizations, and
the private sector, as well as scientific and policy experts from related disciplines.
May
5-6 May 2016 University of Maryland campus and downtown venues, Washington D.C., US
Climate Action 2016
Climate Action 2016 will convene government, business and municipal leaders, civil society and
academia to maintain momentum for multi-stakeholder climate implementation. This high-level
gathering aims to complement and promote ongoing climate action on cities, land use, resilience,
energy, transport, tools for decision makers, and finance. Organizing partners include: the World
Bank; the Global Environment Facility (GEF); the Compact of Mayors; the World Business Council for
Sustainable Development (WBCSD); We Mean Business; and the University of Maryland.
http://www.climateaction.umd.edu/
http://newsroom.unfccc.int/unfccc-newsroom/un-secretary-general-announces-climate-action-2016partnership/
9-20 May 2016 UN Headquarters, New York City, US
15th Session of Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
The 15th session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (PFII) will bring Member States and
indigenous peoples' representatives together to discuss: implementation of the six mandated areas of
the PFII with reference to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP); conflict,
peace and resolution; and coordination among the three UN mechanisms on indigenous affairs. A
dialogue will take place with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the
Chair of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The session will also consider
the future work of the PFII, and emerging issues.
http://undesadspd.org/IndigenousPeoples/UNPFIISessions/Fourteenth.aspx
16-26 May 2016 Bonn, Germany
44th Sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies
The 44th sessions of the subsidiary bodies to the UNFCCC are expected to take place in May 2016.
http://www.unfccc.int/
23-27 May 2016 UNEP Headquarters, UN Offices in Nairobi, Kenya
Second Meeting of the UN Environment Assembly
The UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) will convene for the second time in 2016. The UNEA of the
UN Environment Programme (UNEP) represents the highest level of governance of international
environmental affairs in the UN system. The Rio+20 conference agreed in June 2012 to strengthen
and upgrade UNEP through measures including universal membership of its Governing Council and
ensuring the active participation of all relevant stakeholders. In March 2013, the 67th session of the
UN General Assembly changed the designation of the Governing Council of UNEP to become UNEA,
reflecting the intention to elevate its status.
http://www.unep.org/unea/en/
http://www.unep.org/unea/blog_landing.asp
31 May- 3 June 2016 Trondheim, Norway
Eighth Trondheim Conference on Biodiversity
This eighth meeting will be dedicated to the theme mainstreaming biodiversity into agriculture and
th
serve as preparation to the 13 meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD COP13) that will take place in Cancun, Mexico, at the end of the year.
June
1 June 2016 New York City, US
UNFF AHEG2 (tentative)
The second meeting of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Ad Hoc Expert Group (AHEG) of the UN
Forum on Forests (UNFF) is expected to develop proposals on a range of legal and financing options
with regard to forests.
http://www.un.org/esa/forests/forum/aheg/index.html
6-9 June 2016 Washington D.C., US
50th Meeting of the GEF Council
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council meets twice a year to approve new projects with
global environmental benefits in the GEF's focal areas of biodiversity, climate change mitigation,
chemicals and waste, international waters, land degradation, and sustainable forest management;
and in the GEF's integrated approach programs on sustainable cities, taking deforestation out of
commodity chains, and sustainability and resilience for food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. The
Council also provides guidance to the GEF Secretariat and Agencies. The GEF Council meeting will
be preceded on 6 June by a consultation with civil society organizations (CSOs) at the same location.
On 9 June the Council will convene as the 20th meeting of the Least Developed Countries Fund
(LDCF) and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), also at the same location.
http://www.thegef.org/gef/council_meetings
July
10-20 July 2016 Istanbul, Turkey
40th Session of the World Heritage Committee
The World Heritage Committee meets once a year, and consists of representatives from 21 of the
States Parties to the Convention elected by their General Assembly. The Committee is responsible for
the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, defines the use of the World Heritage Fund and
allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties. It has the final say on whether a
property is inscribed on the World Heritage List. It examines reports on the state of conservation of
inscribed properties and asks States Parties to take action when properties are not being properly
managed. It also decides on the inscription or deletion of properties on the List of World Heritage in
Danger.
http://whc.unesco.org/en/sessions/40COM
11-20 July 2016 UN Headquarters, New York City, US
High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF 2016)
The Fourth High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), convening under the
auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), will take place on 11-15 July 2016,
followed by a three-day ministerial meeting of the Forum on 18-20 July 2016.
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/hlpf
http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=E/2016/L.1
18-22 July 2016 New York City, US
ECOSOC High-Level Segment 2016
The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) high-level segment will be held on the theme
'Implementing the post-2015 development agenda: moving from commitments to results'. The
segment will include the three-day ministerial meeting of the High-Level Political Forum on
sustainable development (HLPF), convened under the auspices of the Council, and the biennial
Development Cooperation Forum (DCF).
http://esango.un.org/irene/ecosoc.html?page=viewContent&nr=27131&type=8
http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=E/2016/L.1
September
1-10 September 2016 Honolulu, HI, US
2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Congress meets every four years to
bring together leaders from government, the public sector, non-governmental organizations, business,
UN agencies and indigenous and grass-roots organizations to discuss and decide on solutions to
environment and development challenges worldwide. The event will hold a public forum consisting of
debates, workshops, dialogues, round-table discussions, training courses, music and exhibitions, as
well as a Members\' Assembly that will deliberate on IUCN resolutions and recommendations
regarding key conservation issues.
www.iucnworldconservationcongress.org
13-26 September 2016 UN Headquarters, New York, US
71st Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 71)
The 71st Regular Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 71) will convene at UN Headquarters
on Tuesday, 13 September 2016. The General Debate will open on Tuesday, 20 September 2016.
http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/INF/67/1
24 September - 5 October 2016 Johannesburg, South Africa
CITES CoP17
The 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP17) will take place in Johannesburg, South
Africa from 24 September - 5 October 2016. This will be the fourth meeting of the Conference of the
Parties to CITES held on the African continent since CITES came into force on 1 July 1975, but the
first on the continent since 2000
http://cites.org/eng/news/pr/cites_cop17_venue_dates_south_africa_2016
http://cites.org/sites/default/files/notif/E-Notif-2015-036.pdf
October
17-21 October 2016 Quito, Ecuador
Habitat III
The Third UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) aims to
secure renewed political commitment for sustainable urban development, assess progress and
accomplishments to date, address poverty and identify and address new and emerging challenges.
The conference is expected to result in an action-oriented outcome document and the establishment
of a ‘New Urban Agenda'.
http://www.unhabitat.org/habitat-iii
24-27 October 2016 Washington D.C., US
51st Meeting of the GEF Council
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council meets twice a year to approve new projects with
global environmental benefits in the GEF's focal areas of biodiversity, climate change mitigation,
chemicals and waste, international waters, land degradation, and sustainable forest management;
and in the GEF's integrated approach programs on sustainable cities, taking deforestation out of
commodity chains, and sustainability and resilience for food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. The
Council also provides guidance to the GEF Secretariat and Agencies. The 25-27 October GEF
Council meeting will be preceded on 24 October by a consultation with civil society organizations
(CSOs) at the same location. On 27 October the Council will convene as the 21st meeting of the
Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) also at the same
location.
http://www.thegef.org/gef/council_meetings
November
7-18 November 2016 Marrakesh, Marrakech, Morocco
UNFCCC COP 22
The 22nd session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 22) to the UNFCCC is expected to take
place in from 7-18 November 2016. Morocco has offered to host this COP.
http://unfccc.int/meetings/unfccc_calendar/items/2655.php?year=2016
9-10 November 2016 Bonn, Germany
CMS StC45
The 45th meeting of the Standing Committee (StC45) of the Convention on the Conservation of
Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) will take place from 9-10 November 2016.
http://www.cms.int/en/news/2015028-dates-45th-meeting-cms-standing-committee
December
4-17 December 2016 Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico
CBD COP 13, COP-MOP 8 to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and COP-MOP 2 to the
Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing
The thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity
(CBD COP 13), the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the
Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP-MOP 8), and the second meeting of the
Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access
and Benefit-sharing (COP-MOP 2), will be held back-to-back, in Cancun, Mexico.
http://www.cbd.int/doc/notifications/2015/ntf-2015-003-cop13-en.pdf