All UNFCCC sessions scheduled for 2020 have been postponed owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of the unprecedented challenge and in the absence of guidance from the governing bodies, the Bureau provided guidance on advancing work in the intergovernmental process based on the advice of the presiding officers, who considered the views expressed by Parties in various consultations, as well as of the secretariat.

Acknowledging that some progress was achieved in 2020 in challenging circumstances and that the global outlook remains uncertain, with continued national lockdowns and restrictions on international travel, the Bureau at its meetings on 21 December 2020 and 25 February 2021 requested the presiding officers to make available their plans of activities in preparation for the next sessions of the subsidiary bodies and, ultimately, a successful COP 26 in November 2021.

The Bureau requested presiding officers to plan for activities to take place as soon as possible and to schedule work throughout the coming months and up to COP 26, including the original June session period, as it is not yet feasible to hold in-person meetings. The Bureau will review the feasibility of convening the sessions and will provide further guidance in due course.

In response to the request of the Bureau, the presiding officers have advanced their planning, focusing particularly on the first half of 2021. In identifying activities, the presiding officers continue to be guided by the overarching principle of maximizing progress and minimizing delay as agreed by the Bureau in 2020, taking into account views expressed by Parties on the need to ensure balance in progress among all issues.     

Work is already under way, including through the monthly multilateral consultations with group Chairs and heads of delegation organized by the Presidencies. During the inaugural consultation on 28-29 January, which focused on the way forward, the Presidency and incoming Presidency set out a multi-layered approach to their work for the year, with engagement at the ministerial, head of delegation and technical levels. They also affirmed the importance of work being guided by the shining stars of progress, transparency, inclusivity and solidarity – sentiments shared by the subsidiary body Chairs.

The planning of activities will continue to leave room for adjustments and additions as lessons are learned and as COVID-19-related circumstances change. New topics and activities will continue to be included as the planning advances. 

The approach to advance work on a particular issue will be tailored to its progress, granularity and the nature of the issue and therefore approaches may differ across issues and bodies.

To ensure inclusiveness and transparency, the presiding officers will continue to consult with Parties and will regularly report to the Bureau for feedback and further guidance, as needed.

As remote work advances, the secretariat will make every effort to provide support for the effective participation of Party representatives and for coordination by the Chairs and Coordinators of groups and constituencies.

Moreover, the High-Level Champions will continue to accelerate immediate action and promote higher ambition to collectively strive for the 1.5 °C temperature goal and a climate-neutral and resilient world. Their priorities in working towards a successful outcome at COP 26 (which can be found on the work programme for 2020-2021) include:

• The improvement of the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action for enhancing ambition taking into account discussions and feedback received by Parties and non-Party stakeholders;
• The global campaigns Race to Zero and Race to Resilience;
• The Climate Action Pathways and the Race-to-Zero Breakthroughs;
• Regional engagement.

More information on the work and vision of the Champions can be found on the 2020 Yearbook of Global Climate Action, in particular the state of climate action closing the pre-2020 period and their reflections on the future of the Marrakech Partnership.

Dates of activities of the presiding officers and the high-level champions can be found on Climate Hub 360 and on the governing and subsidiary body calendar of activities.