TWN Bonn Climate News Update No. 2
9 June 2026
Published by Third World Network

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PARTIES CONVEY THEIR EXPECTATIONS AT BONN CLIMATE TALKS

Bonn, 9 June (Jinghann Hong) – Parties conveyed their expectations at the Bonn climate talks, which launched work on 8 June, following the adoption of the agendas of the 64^th sessions of the UNFCCC’s Subsidiary Bodies [SB64] on 8 June. The Subsidiary Body for Implementation [SBI] and the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice [SBSTA] will conclude their work on 18 June. 

Uruguay on behalf of the G77 and China expressed concerns over the insufficiency, inaccessibility and very low availability of climate finance as well as the lack of ambition from developed countries to provide and mobilise committed and pledged climate finance resources to developing countries. It stated that it expected the full operationalisation of Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement [PA] through the climate finance work programme. It affirmed the “importance of discussing the scope and modalities of the work programme [...] to ensure that they are developed in a Party-driven and inclusive manner.” It also reiterated its concern with the delayed transition of the Adaptation Fund [AF] to serve the PA exclusively and urged Parties to make progress on the matter.

On the mitigation, the G77/China reaffirmed its commitment to contribute to the ultimate objective of the Convention and the goals of the PA including the temperature goal, holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius [C] and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees C above pre industrial levels, on the basis of equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities [CBDR-RC], in the light of different national circumstances.  It expressed the need for urgent progress on mitigation, with developed countries taking the lead, and to also take into account increasing impact of climate change in developing countries, which requires the provision of support from developed countries and an enabling international economic system. It called on Parties to engage discussions under the Sharm el-Sheikh mitigation ambition and implementation work programme in a constructive manner in line with its mandate.

On adaptation, it reaffirmed the central role of the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience, the Baku Adaptation Roadmap (BAR) and the Belém–Addis Vision (BAV) in advancing the implementation of the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). It highlighted that adequate, predictable and accessible means of implementation [MOI], including adaptation finance, technology transfer and capacity-building from developed country Parties to developing country parties, which must be ensured across all discussions on adaptation. It reiterated the call for efforts to at least triple adaptation finance by 2035 and emphasised that MOI must also anchor the work under the BAR. The Group expressed regret that the SB64 agenda does not include an item on National Adaptation Plans and look forward to an ambitious outcome in SB65.

On agriculture, it stated that its priority in 2026 is to secure the future of the ‘Agriculture and Food Security’ agenda item through a COP 31 decision, as the Sharm el-Sheikh Joint Work ends this year.

China, for the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) observed that the process is shifting from negotiation to implementation, and pointed out that implementation includes mitigation, adaptation, MOI and international enablers for cooperation, in particular, a supportive and open international economic system. It stressed that it is vital to resolve longstanding issues such as lack of ambition on mitigation and MOI, and to address the new challenges of unilateralism and protectionism which pose barriers to collective efforts and international cooperation in the second decade of the PA.

On negotiating topics, key priorities include the adaptation workshop, the Just Transition Work Programme [JTWP] and Mechanism, the ‘Climate and Trade dialogue’ and the Climate Finance Work Programme [CFWP]. It stated that CFWP and the ‘Climate and Trade dialogue’ must be intentionally designed for meaningful engagement and concrete outputs, and the need for improved work to happen in this direction. It also highlighted that the finance gap should be urgently fulfilled and pointed to the current Global Environment Facility [GEF] replenishment as the lowest in the last 16 years, and also pointed to the reneging from signed contributions to the Green Climate Fund [GCF].

The LMDC stressed that it is crucial to note the difference between “consensus-based processes under the Convention and its PA” and “initiatives outside the process”, where global collective action and international cooperation should be agreed through consensus-based negotiations to ensure inclusiveness. As such, “initiatives outside the Convention process should remain voluntary in nature”, as “introducing sensitive issues into the Convention process could generate more complications for the process.”

It closed by expressing its highest commitment to ambitious climate action: “We stand for ambition, and we want real ambition. For this, the goal and the means should go hand-in-hand. We should be activating real enablers for climate action, which is MOI, and do away with protectionism and unilateralism.”

Referencing the World Meteorological Organization which issued a warning on an 80% likelihood that an El Niño event will develop between June and August, Ghana, speaking for the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) expressed that a warming of conditions is “catastrophic” and of “great concern”. It added that “Yet in a process of urgency - we do not even have an agenda item on loss and damage and on National Adaptation Plans. We find this process insensitive to Africa’s situation and deeply worrying.”

On adaptation, it reiterated that the primary purpose of agreed GGA indicators is to ensure clear and usable information feeding into Global Stocktake [GST] with respect to adaptations actions and on support needed and provided. The group added that it looked forward to progress on composition and modalities of technical taskforce and stressed that the BAR workshop must be informed and built upon agreed mandates particularly in respect to MOI.

On finance, it expressed grave concerns that the CFWP is not reflected in a CMA agenda under the ‘Arrangement of Intergovernmental Meetings’ agenda item. It added that this needs to be corrected. The AGN urged that the work must also advance a clear operational definition of climate finance, including grants equivalence, accessibility, predictability and accountability.  

[During the adoption of the agenda on ‘Climate and Trade’ the AGN  took the floor to request clarity from the SB Chairs on how they intended to present the report from the dialogue summarising the discussions for the high-level event in 2028. It urged the SB Chairs to use this opportunity in SB64 to craft procedures for outcomes to capture Party discussions on the matter.]

Saudi Arabia, for the Arab Group, said that all negotiation tracks must abide by the principles of equity and CBDR_RC, and that negotiations must always be led by Parties, adding that initiatives, roadmaps or processes outside the official track that have not gained consensus must not be included. It also rejected unilateral measures including the cross-border taxes and processes. Stating that current developments in the global energy markets highlight the need to ensure energy security and safeguard energy supply chains, it called for access to energy, energy affordability as well as the security of supply chains, together with climate action that must be managed reasonably and in a balanced manner. It stated that the PA is the best venue for this as it is independent from the imposition of unilateral measures.

South Africa, for the BASIC [Brazil, South Africa, India and China], reminded Parties that “the Belém political package was a fine balance of key priorities” and that Parties must “reaffirm the political commitment to address climate change through solidarity and cooperation, and to narrow the North-South development gap.” Emphasizing that the long-standing issue of lack of mitigation, ambition, and insufficient provisional financial support by developed countries, as well as new challenges imposed by unilateralism and protectionism must be resolved. It expressed concerns over Article 9.1 not being given the due consideration it deserved and stated that “
it is unacceptable that it is not in the CMA 8 agenda.” It welcomed the convening of the first dialogue on climate change and trade. On mitigation, BASIC called for developed countries, in line with the principle of historical responsibility, to take the lead. It also looked forward to agreeing on the modalities of Just Transition Mechanism [JTM] and to the review of the JTWP and the Mitigation Work Programmes [MWP], as well as the implementation of the Belém–Addis Vision on adaptation and the completion of the selection process for the host of Climate Technology Centre and Network.

Palau, speaking for the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), called the 1.5-degree temperature limit its “North Star” and lamented that climate finance is “at a point of systemic collapse”. Amongst its key priorities are the provision of, and enhancement in access to climate finance and the operationalization of GGA. It also stressed the GST as a central tool for implementation and for keeping 1.5 within reach, and stated that it would like to see substantive and meaningful reports from both dialogues under the process that can serve as useful inputs to the GST. Emphasising that “science remains fundamental to the robustness and scientific integrity of the GST,” it called for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s [IPCC] Seventh Assessment Report reports to be incorporated into the next GST cycle. 
As for the MWP), it stated that it must address both ambition and implementation gaps and move beyond dialogue towards action-oriented approaches.

Timor-Leste, for the Least Developed Countries (LDC) laid emphasis on the need to achieve the 1.5- degree C goal. Stating that it is “deeply concerned by the inadequacy of global mitigation efforts,”, it called for countries to step up on the MWP to respond to this urgency, including implementation of the GST-1 outcome. It also acknowledged challenging international circumstances but stated that “this cannot be used to delay or backtrack on existing climate finance commitments.” Other priorities include delivering “clear and strong modalities for the Belém-Addis Vision” on adaptation, a “LDC-responsive, implementation focused, and supported by MOI Just Transition Mechanism, the continuation of the JTWP beyond 2026, the finalisation of the host of the Climate Technology Center and the linkages between Technology Mechanism and Financial Mechanism. It also lamented the lack of a loss and damage agenda item and said it would “ensure loss and damage is considered in the upcoming GST dialogue”. 

Panama, for the Independent Alliance of Latin America and Caribbean (AILAC), said that “science must continue to inform our decisions,” including that of the GST, and so “any attempt to weaken the delay or undermine the integrity and independence of the IPCC is unacceptable.” It said that the CFWP must focus on the operationalisation of Article 9.1, and that the CMA 8 should provide clear guidance to a concrete outcome at the conclusion of the work program. On the AF, it regretted the lack of an outcome at COP 30, and called for a decision to ensure its smooth transmission to exclusively serve the PA. Other priorities include the MWP; the operationalization of the Belém-Addis Vision, and the JTM. It also welcomed the Belém Gender Action Plan as a critical milestone for inclusive gender-responsive climate action. 


Iran pointed out that we cannot talk about climate action in vacuum. Stating that it remained committed to reducing emissions and adapting to climate change, it pointed out that it is simultaneously struggling under devastating economic instability and a brutal energy crisis directly caused by military aggression, illegal blockades and sanctions, and cyber and civilian attacks on infrastructure and people. Iran recalled the massacre of 168 schoolgirls in the city of Minab by the United States [US] and the regime of Israel. In that, Iran pointed out that “pursuing a green transition, while all critical infrastructure and lives are under assault, is nearly impossible to undertake”. Further highlighting the catastrophic failure of climate finance by pointing to the GEF receiving less than the previous replenishment cycle, developed countries, it stressed, are slashing contributions and leaving developing countries to drown “literally and economically”. It also highlighted that “because of unilateral trade restrictions and the broken pledges of developed nations, the entire climate action effort of the Global South is being sabotaged,” and that “developed countries cannot demand that developing nations reduce emissions while simultaneously denying them access to finance and technology.”

Cuba condemned the US government as “deliberately undermining the United Nations, and multilateralism, including this Convention,” highlighted the energy blockage in Cuba as “an act of war” and the “executorial nature of blockage against foreign investors” as “part of the same edifice”. Underscoring that this affects not just Cuba’s capacity to rise to development challenges as a small island developing state but also to rise to climate change challenges, adding that the Cuban delegation will focus on important agenda items including the CFWP and the dialogue on unilateral measures and trade. It reaffirmed Cuba’s right to live in peace, independence and sovereignty, and emphasised that it will continue the commitment to and consensus achieved under the PA and UNFCCC.

India said that “it is important that SB64 reinforces confidence in the multilateral process and upholds the Party-driven and consensus-based character of climate negotiations. The concerns and priorities of developing countries must remain central to this work. It added that “No new issues or obligations beyond agreed mandates should  be considered. Initiatives outside the UNFCCC process should remain voluntary in nature. It said that the international climate agenda must now focus on implementation.

It also stressed that “Equity and historical responsibility must continue to guide this phase.  Developing countries need adequate carbon space to eradicate poverty, expand energy access, and meet their sustainable development goals. Therefore, developed countries must lead through accelerated emissions reductions, including negative emissions as necessary. It also asked that the Article 9.1 CFWP receive the prominence and dedicated agenda space it deserves to enable substantive progress. It expressed concern over declining levels of climate finance, including replenishment and support and the growing adaptation finance gap. Discussions on the implementation of Article 9.1 should address these realities directly,

It also looked forward to the operationalization of the JTM based on equity and CBDR-RC, by nationally determined pathways, ensuring means of implementation, and addressing structural challenges.  It added that “the dialogue on unilateral trade measures should address its negative impacts on climate actions of developing countries and be based on Article 3.5 of the Convention and provide substantive space for Parties to exchange their views. On the future of the MiWP, India said that its current scope and modalities, and facilitative and non-prescriptive nature must be preserved. It also said that the work on GGA should remain balanced, Party-driven and implementation-oriented, with focus on MOI for developing countries.

Cyprus, for the European Union (EU), said that the UAE Dialogue [under the GST] as an important opportunity to reflect on collective progress and strengthen implementation efforts. It said that “the implementation of GST-1 outcomes and ambitious nationally determined contributions [NDCs] are essential for closing both the ambition and the implementation gaps, and to keeping the 1.5 within reach.”

On just transition, the EU stated that it will work towards a JTM that enables the implementation of 1.5 C aligned domestic climate policies by addressing the social and economic dimensions of the transition and ensuring that no one is left behind. On climate and trade, it stated that “trade can be a powerful enabler of climate action by facilitating access to clean technologies” and encouraged all Parties to work on their positive interlinkages.

On climate finance, the EU reaffirmed commitments to “delivering on our collective commitments”, including the implementation of the new collective quantified goal [NCQG], and recognised the urgent need to scale up finance from all sources, particularly for adaptation and for the most vulnerable countries, as well as improving access in climate finance. It also said that “climate finance provided and mobilized by developed countries reached USD132.8 billion in 2023, USD136.7 billion in 2024, exceeding the USD100 billion goal for the third consecutive year.” It further added that achieving the goals of the PA required broader efforts to align all financial flows with low emission and climate resilient development pathways, and to strengthen enabling environments that can mobilize public and private investment at scale.

Switzerland, for the Environmental Integrity Group (EIG), said that “the International Court of Justice [ICJ] has affirmed that Parties must exercise due diligence, so that their NDCs, taken together, are capable of achieving the 1.5 C goal,” and called upon Parties that have not done so to submit outstanding NDCs before COP 31. It supported the adoption of a global commitment on electrification, energy grids, and clean energy investments at COP 31 and encouraged Parties to develop, on a voluntary basis, national road maps on the transition away from fossil fuels, and also invited the private sector to develop corporate roadmaps too.

On adaptation, the EIG said that it looked forward to operationalizing the newly adopted adaptation indicators. It added that it aimed to build a shared understanding to improve metadata and methodologies, and to agree on timelines that support adaptation goals with scientific rigour, which will help ensure that indicators can be meaningfully applied by Parties.

Stating that the IPCC findings are not always easy as they “ask more than is politically comfortable”, which is “precisely why they must guide the decisions we make”, the EIG made it clear that any attempts to delay the essential scientific inputs needed for the next GST would be “unacceptable”.

The United Kingdom, for the Umbrella Group (UG), elaborated that the current energy crisis presented challenges in relation to energy supply through security or increasing costs, but that it also presented opportunities to accelerate the energy transition through electrification and clean energy deployment. Calling for “strengthening the mitigation architecture in the UNFCCC to respond to the diminishing window of opportunity to keep 1.5 C in reach,” it welcomed discussions on the future of the MWP to ensure it can provide practical, usable output that can help inform nationally determined policies grounded in the urgency to enhance climate action.

The UG said that discussions on the review of the JTWP and the development of a JTM must enhance ambitious action aligned with 1.5 C, accelerate just energy transitions, and be guided by inclusive action and processes. On adaptation, it stated that work on the Belém–Addis Vision needed to advance through Party piloting and through the technical task force, and that it stands ready to engage on the BAR.

It welcomed the first UAE Dialogue here at SB64, as well as the third GST NDC dialogue. Stating that “the GST NDC dialogue will end here at SB 64, creating a gap in the mitigation architecture,” it encouraged Parties to look for “new avenues” to discuss NDC preparation and implementation. 


It reaffirmed the critical role of the best available science to inform our decision making, and the IPCC as the global authority on climate science, and called on the IPCC to ensure that reports from the 7th assessment cycle are delivered in time for the second GST.

In this first year of NCQG implementation, it emphasized its commitment to NCQG delivery and reaffirmed the role of developed countries to take the lead in the delivery of the at least $300 billion goal by 2035. while working with all actors to scale finance to at least $1.3 trillion, and play its part in efforts to at least triple adaptation finance by 2035, in the context of the NCQG.
 Stating that “access to finance remains a priority, as does resolving the transition of the AF,”, the UG also welcomed the launch of the Veredas Dialogue [on Article 2.1(c) of the PA] discussions and hoped to have constructive discussions in the CFWP, focused on practical outcomes.