Bonn Climate Conference,2025
The sixty-second sessions of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SB 62) took place in Bonn, Germany, from June 16 to 26, 2025. The biannual meeting under the UNFCCC focused on drafting decisions for COP 30 which will take place at Belem, Brazil in November.
Key areas of discussion included climate finance, adaptation, global assessment and the path to COP30. The conference aimed to advance technical discussions and preparatory discussions for the larger climate summit in November. More detailed discussions are provided below:
On the road to COP30:
The forest talks are crucial for uniting international partners and negotiators and building momentum for COP30.
Outcome:
The conference resulted in draft decisions on various agenda items that will be further refined and potentially finalized at COP30.
Methodological Problem:
Reports highlight significant problems in the global climate system and stress the importance of equity and justice in addressing climate change, including adequate financial support from developed to developing countries. On 27 June 2025, UN Climate Change Acting Secretary-General Simon Stiell delivered a significant speech with these key points:
We must go further, faster, more fairly
There is still much work to do to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as science demands.
We must find ways to make tough decisions quickly.
Our negotiators need to sit down occasionally so they can find common ground.
Our leaders and ministers need to roll up their sleeves.
This is your agenda. Your process. Progress here will benefit your people.
You have more in common than you have differences. We need to spend more time thinking about and building on this.
The transformation is rapidly advancing beyond the confines of our conference halls. Incredible opportunities are emerging.ng before us. Smart leaders must lead the charge to tackle the tough problems and create change.
We expect to receive new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by September, which will be included in a new synthesis report. This report will show how far we have come and how far we still have to go.
We will share insights and identify challenges in our first Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRCs) synthesis report and the progress report on national adaptation plans.
All eyes will then be on COP30, to respond to these reports and see how countries accelerate implementation.
I thank Parties for agreeing to the UNFCCC budget. This shows that our work is valued and that governments recognize UN-led climate cooperation as crucial, even during tough times.
This is a crucial investment as it is the only way to prevent a climate-driven global economic recession and its severe impact on humanity. There is no alternative Planet-B for us, nor is there a Process-B we can rely on. We are committed to earning your trust by fulfilling our mandate and continuously improving efficiency.
I sincerely thank Adonia, Julia, and their co-chair team for their hard work on behalf of the UN Climate Change Secretariat.
I am very grateful for the constant hard work of all the delegates and the dedication of my colleagues in the Secretariat. I want to thanks of two valued staff members, Olga Pilifosova and Lando Velasco, for their decades of exceptional service to the United Nations. I wish them all the best as they prepare for their well-deserved retirements.
I once again pay tribute to the COP 29 Presidency for their support and look forward to its continuation.
