Representatives from nearly 200 countries met at the annual mid-year UN climate conference from 8 to 18 June. The meetings focused on turning previous climate commitments into practical action and identifying areas where further progress is needed ahead of the next COP.
The European Union worked constructively with international partners throughout the session to advance climate action, support implementation of existing commitments and strengthen trust in the multilateral climate process.
Progress on implementation
Negotiators made progress on a number of technical and implementation-focused issues, including just transition, climate technology, transparency and improving the effectiveness of the UN climate process.
Parties agreed to continue strengthening support for countries’ climate transitions while ensuring that climate action remains aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Progress was also made on climate technology cooperation, with countries agreeing that the Climate Technology Centre will continue to be hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme.
The conference also highlighted the importance of transparency in climate action. Countries exchanged experiences on reporting progress towards their climate commitments, helping to build confidence and accountability across the international community.
Alongside the negotiations, countries and experts shared experiences on attracting private investment, strengthening national climate finance frameworks and supporting climate-resilient development.
Focus on turning commitments into action
A major theme of the Bonn conference was implementation. Discussions focused on how countries can accelerate delivery of their climate targets and translate the outcomes of the first Global Stocktake into real-world action.
Several new initiatives presented during the conference aim to support this effort. These include work on accelerating implementation of national climate plans, strengthening cooperation on mitigation and adaptation, and developing practical roadmaps to support the global transition to a climate-neutral economy.
The incoming COP31 Presidency of Türkiye outlined its priorities for the conference, emphasising implementation and practical solutions that can help countries deliver on their commitments. The ‘35×35’ Electrification Target announced by the Presidency is a promising initiative which the EU will be carefully considering and engaging with.
Looking ahead to COP31
Work will continue in the months ahead through technical meetings, consultations and political engagement. The period leading up to the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) will be crucial for building trust, bridging differences and maintaining momentum on climate action.
The European Union remains committed to working with all partners to support the implementation of the Paris Agreement, through a combination of negotiated outcomes and a vibrant Action Agenda which demonstrates implementation on the ground.
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