THE United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has announced plans to reinstate its Climate Weeks in the Global South starting this year, after last year’s cancellation due to financial constraints and a strategic re-evaluation.

The revamped format will feature two annual "Climate Weeks," aimed at accelerating progress on critical climate issues such as climate finance, transitioning away from fossil fuels, and the development of carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. 

The events will bring together government negotiators, technical experts, and representatives from civil society and business sectors to stimulate political momentum ahead of the main UN climate negotiations, such as the annual sessions in Bonn and the larger COP summits.

UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, explained that the revised Climate Weeks are designed to fill the gap between technical dialogues and real-world implementation of climate solutions. 

“This approach will help deliver faster progress and concrete outcomes that benefit all economies and people's daily lives, while delivering cost-savings,” Stiell said.

The new format also aims to incorporate diverse local perspectives into global climate discussions, with the first event scheduled to take place in Latin America in early 2025, followed by a second event in Africa ahead of COP30 in Belém, Brazil later that year.

The Climate Weeks will be instrumental in supporting nations to submit ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) as part of the preparations for the global climate summit. These contributions detail the countries' climate action plans and are critical to meeting global climate targets.

 The decision to cancel the regional Climate Weeks last year was met with disappointment from civil society groups and vulnerable countries, who viewed them as essential for climate dialogue, especially in the Global South. The cancellation stemmed from a lack of funding, which was exacerbated by countries failing to meet their financial commitments to the UNFCCC. However, the budget situation has improved as some nations, including the United States under President Biden, cleared longstanding arrears, while others, such as Japan and Germany, made voluntary contributions.

 Philanthropist Michael Bloomberg has also stepped in to fill the funding gap left by former President Donald Trump's withdrawal from climate funding. With increased financial support and an improved strategic plan, the UNFCCC is optimistic that the return of the Climate Weeks will reinvigorate international climate negotiations.

 The new model is also expected to reduce costs and emissions. By grouping technical workshops and discussions into a single week and location, the UNFCCC anticipates a reduction in travel expenses and environmental impact.

 These new Climate Weeks aim to address both the urgency of global climate action and the practical challenges faced by countries, particularly those most vulnerable to climate change. As the world faces mounting environmental crises, the revamped structure of these events is expected to provide a much-needed platform for meaningful climate dialogue and action.