UN Climate Change: Regional Climate Weeks 2021 Pave the Way to COP26

This year, the Regional Climate Weeks 2021 are convening regional stakeholders around the world in advance of the crucial UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in November. The series now moves to Africa, where new dates have been set for Africa Climate Week 2021. The Latin America and the Caribbean Climate Week 2021 Output Report has been published, giving insight into valuable discussions held during the Climate Weeks.

The Africa Climate Week 2021 Virtual Thematic Sessions are now set for 27-29 September. Originally scheduled for July, ACW 2021 was rescheduled due to pandemic concerns. Interest among regional actors is high for the virtual meeting, which offers an opportunity to bring the voice of African stakeholders to Glasgow in November for COP26.

On 27 September, the Virtual Thematic Sessions open with high-level speakers from the host Government of Uganda and organizing partners UN Climate Change, UNDP, UNEP and the World Bank. Support comes from regional partners – the African Union, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). Registration for the event will be announced later in August.

To get a sense of the Climate Week event and the topics under discussion, the Latin America and the Caribbean Climate Week 2021 Output Report has been published. This Report provides an overview of the Virtual Thematic Sessions, showcases participation by diverse stakeholders and details the thematic sessions, COP26 preparatory sessions, side events, affiliate events and LACCW 2021 Action Hub videos.

The outcomes of each of the Regional Climate Weeks 2021 will be taken forward to a High-Level Event currently scheduled for October. UN Climate Change and the organizing partners are collaborating with the host governments of all Regional Climate Weeks 2021 to convene ministers for regional discussions in advance of COP26. Reports from each of the Climate Weeks will be shared for consideration by ministers as they prepare for the UN Climate Change Conference.

In the recent Regional Collaboration Centres’ Annual Report 2020 Making a Difference: Enabling Action and Ambition on Climate Change, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa underscored the importance of working together. “Collaboration is the best path to meet the urgency of the climate emergency. For governments, working together creates trust and establishes common ground. For business leaders, it lends confidence that the global economy is moving towards sustainable, low-carbon growth. For communities, working together helps to protect people and foster prosperity,” she said.

Policymakers, regional stakeholders and the interested public are encouraged to explore the LACCW 2021 Output Report to see growing ambition and inspiring action in Latin America and the Caribbean. More information on ACW 2021, including registration information, will be shared in the coming weeks.