Meeting events

The COP established the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage associated with Climate Change Impacts (Loss and Damage Mechanism), to address loss and damage associated with impacts of climate change, including extreme events and slow onset events, in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change at COP19 (November 2013) in Warsaw, Poland.

The implementation of the functions of the Loss and Damage Mechanism will be guided by the Executive Committee under the guidance of the COP.

The Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) was established in 2001, and is currently mandated to provide technical guidance and support to the LDCs on the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans (NAPs), the preparation and implementation of the national adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs) and the implementation of the LDC work programme.  The LEG is also mandated to provide technical guidance and advice on accessing funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for the process to formulate and implement NAPs, in collaboration with the GCF secretariat.  Furthermore, the LEG is mandated to engage a wide range or organizations in implementing its work programme.

The LEG meets twice a year to develop and review progress on the implementation of its work programme. The LEG implements its work programme through a variety of modalities including technical guidance to the countries, technical guidelines, technical papers, training activities, workshops, expert meetings, NAP Expos, case studies, capturing and sharing of experiences, best practices and lessons learned, NAP Central, monitoring of progress, effectiveness and gaps, collaboration with other bodies, programmes and organizations, and promotion of coherence and synergy.

At this meeting, the LEG will develop the work programme for 2024–2025 and deliberate new mandates arising from COP 28.  The meeting will also include a discussion with the least developed countries (LDCs) on priority needs for support.

The 1st Council meeting of the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) will take place on February 9, 2024. The Global Biodiversity Framework Fund will scale up financing for the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The GBFF aims to help countries achieve the Global Biodiversity Framework goals and targets with a strategic focus on strengthening national-level biodiversity management, planning, policy, governance, and finance approaches. The Fund was ratified by 186 countries and launched at the Seventh GEF Assembly in Vancouver, Canada in August 2023.

The Council, the Global Environment Facility’s main governing body, comprises 32 members appointed by constituencies of GEF member countries (14 from developed countries, 16 from developing countries, and two from economies in transition). Council members rotate at different intervals determined by each constituency. The Council, which meets twice annually, develops, adopts and evaluates the operational policies and programs for GEF-financed activities. It also reviews and approves the work program (projects submitted for approval), making decisions by consensus.