The 64th session of the Subsidiary Bodies of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (SB64), held in preparation for this year's Conference of the Parties (COP), took place in Bonn, Germany, from June 8 to June 18, 2026. Korea was represented by a delegation consisting of Ambassador and Deputy Minister for Climate Change Kyun Jong-ho of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officials from relevant ministries, and experts.

※ More than 7,000 participants attended the session, including representatives from approximately 190 Parties to the Convention, observers, international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the media, of whom approximately 4,200 were Party representatives. Korea was represented by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and other relevant ministries and agencies.

At this session, held amid an energy crisis stemming from tensions in the Middle East, particular emphasis was placed on the transition to clean energy and electrification. Turkiye, the President-designate of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP31), announced key areas of its ten Action Agenda priorities, including a target of increasing electricity's share of global final energy consumption to 35% by 2035 and promoting Zero Waste initiatives*.

* Turkiye's First Lady has shown strong interest in waste reduction and recycling initiatives, leading the Zero Waste Initiative. During the State Visit of the President and First Lady of Korea to Turkiye in November 2025, Korea's First Lady also expressed her support for and signed onto the initiative.

In addition, participating countries laid the groundwork for substantive discussions on the key agenda items and expected outcomes of COP31, which will be held in Antalya, Turkiye, in November of this year.

The Korean government delegation emphasized the importance of submitting Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) to support the implementation of the Paris Agreement. The delegation also presented a best-practice case demonstrating how the outcomes of the first Global Stocktake (GST) were incorporated into a country's NDC. In addition, it hosted a side event on enhancing transparency capacity in developing countries, where domestic relevant organizations and international organizations discussed ways to improve the effectiveness of support and establish effective cooperation frameworks.

In addition, during the inaugural Trade and Climate Change Dialogue held this year, the Korean delegation emphasized the need for a balanced discussion of both the challenges and opportunities associated with climate-related trade measures, including compliance costs and the need to ensure interoperability. 

Meanwhile, many participating countries expressed their appreciation for Korea's hosting of the UN Climate Change Week event in Yeosu last April, recognizing its contribution to raising awareness of climate change issues.

The details of the discussions under each agenda item are as follows.

[Greenhouse Gas Mitigation]

As the Sharm el-Sheikh Mitigation Work Programme, established to enhance ambition and strengthen implementation of greenhouse gas emission reductions through 2030, is set to expire this year, participants held extensive discussions on whether to continue the programme and on possible improvements to its operational framework.

While most Parties agreed on the need to continue the programme, differing views emerged regarding its future design, including the scope and themes of the dialogue process, operational modalities, and how it should be linked to other processes such as the GST. As a result, Parties agreed to continue discussions on these issues at COP31.

[Global Stocktake (GST)*]

* Global Stocktake: A process for assessing and evaluating, at the global level, collective progress toward achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. The first Global Stocktake was conducted in 2023 and will be carried out every five years thereafter.

Following the agreement reached at COP30 last year on the implementation of follow-up actions to the GST, the First UAE Dialogue was formally convened during SB64. In parallel, the Third Annual GST Dialogue, an established regular-track process, was also held. 

At the First UAE Dialogue, convened to promote the sharing of experiences and information related to the implementation of all GST outcomes, Parties engaged in in-depth discussions on a range of challenges and support needs, including priority issues related to finance, capacity-building, and technology transfer. The Korean delegation shared its experience in modernizing power grids and advancing low-carbon transitions in the industrial sector to support the effective implementation of GST outcomes. It also presented its experience in establishing an adaptation assessment framework utilizing national climate and disaster data. In addition, the delegation emphasized the importance of ensuring institutional coherence by strengthening linkages between the GST and related work programmes and constituted bodies on mitigation, adaptation, and other areas.

At the Third Annual GST Dialogue, convened to promote stronger linkages between GST outcomes and the formulation and implementation of the next round of NDCs, Parties and stakeholders shared a range of experiences and best practices. The Korean delegation presented its experience in developing its 2035 NDC based on the outcomes of the first GST. It also shared examples of strengthening policy coherence through the integration of climate and energy policies, enhancing policy-finance linkages through the transfer of climate response funds, and expanding stakeholder participation in the policymaking process. The Third Annual GST Dialogue concluded with this session. Its possible resumption during the second GST cycle will be considered in the future. 

[Climate Change Adaptation] 

Under the agenda item on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), Parties discussed follow-up measures for the practical application of the 59 Belem Adaptation Indicators adopted at COP30 last year. 

Adaptation indicators are tools used to measure progress in global climate change adaptation. To put these indicators into practical use, technical work is required to develop detailed definitions, metadata, and methodologies for measuring each indicator. At this session, the central issue was how to structure the working group responsible for carrying out this technical work. Developed countries advocated for an expert-driven approach, while developing countries emphasized Party-led participation and decision-making, resulting in a sharp divergence of views between the two groups. 

In addition, differences persisted over several sensitive issues, including whether to explicitly state a goal of at least tripling adaptation finance by 2035 and whether to incorporate the outcomes of the Baku Adaptation Roadmap (BAR) into the conclusions of the process. As a result, Parties were unable to reach consensus during this session, and agreed to continue discussions on these issues at the next meeting in November. 

In addition, agenda items related to the Adaptation Committee (AdCom), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and the Nairobi Work Programme (NWP) were discussed. Across these discussions, there was a noticeable trend of developing countries increasingly calling for greater financial support from developed countries. 

[Climate Finance]

The Climate Finance Work Programme* and the Veredas Dialogue**, both agreed upon at COP30, were formally launched and began substantive discussions during this session. 

* Climate Finance Work Programme: A two-year work programme established to discuss the implementation of Article 9 of the Paris Agreement, including financial support from developed countries and South-South cooperation.

** Veredas Dialogue: A dialogue process established to support the implementation of Article 2.1(c) of the Paris Agreement, which aims to make financial flows consistent with a pathway toward low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development.

Under the Climate Finance Work Programme, discussions focused on developed countries' obligations to provide financial support for climate action in developing countries, expanding access to climate finance, and mobilizing private-sector funding. In addition, the Veredas Dialogue was formally launched to advance the transition of global financial flows toward climate-friendly pathways. Discussions covered policy support measures and financial mechanisms needed to facilitate and support this transition.

[Just Transition]

Under the agenda item on the UAE Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP)*, Parties discussed the outcomes of the Fifth Global Dialogue, the development of review guidelines for the JTWP, and procedures for operationalizing the Just Transition Mechanism (JTM)**. In particular, the JTWP review guidelines, on which agreement was required during SB64, remained the subject of significant disagreement among Parties until the final stages of the negotiations. However, consensus was ultimately reached through a compromise proposal put forward by the Co-Chairs. As a result, a review of the effectiveness and efficiency of the JTWP is scheduled to take place at COP31 later this year. 

* UAE Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP): A work programme on just transition established by a decision at COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, in 2022, with its operational modalities adopted at CMA5 (held in conjunction with COP28) in Dubai in 2023.

** Just Transition Mechanism (JTM): At COP30 (CMA7) held in Belem, Brazil, in 2025, Parties agreed to develop a Just Transition Mechanism to promote international cooperation, technical assistance, capacity-building, and knowledge sharing in support of just transition efforts.

Meanwhile, with regard to the outcomes of the Fifth Global Dialogue and the procedures for operationalizing the JTM, the Co-Chairs prepared an informal text that comprehensively reflected the diverse views of Parties. Looking ahead, key issues, including the outcomes of the JTWP dialogues, the review of the JTWP, and the operationalization of the JTM, are expected to remain under discussion through intersessional informal work and at COP31. 

[Response Measures]

Parties shared seven national case studies assessing and analyzing the impacts of climate change response measures, and discussed the cross-border effects of such measures on other countries. 

With respect to the scope and methodology for incorporating response measures into the technical assessment of the second GST, Parties remained divided until the end of the session. One group argued that a broader range of research activities and Party submissions should be included, while another maintained that the approach used during the first GST should be preserved. As no consensus was reached, discussions on this issue will continue at the next session. 

Meanwhile, at the inaugural Trade and Climate Change Dialogue held this year, developing countries expressed concerns that climate-related response measures could constitute new trade barriers, while developed countries emphasized that such measures are legitimate policy tools necessary for achieving climate goals.

[Climate Technology]

Under the agenda item on climate technology as a means of implementing climate action, discussions were held on four key issues: (i) the joint annual report of the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) and the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN); (ii) the selection of the host institution for the Climate Technology Centre (CTC); (iii) strengthening linkages between the Technology Mechanism and the Financial Mechanism; and (iv) the second periodic assessment of the Technology Mechanism. 

Developed and developing countries reached a common understanding on the future direction of climate technology cooperation, emphasizing the importance of strengthening linkages between technology and finance in order to enhance the effectiveness of climate action in addressing the climate crisis. 

[Transparency]

At the High-Level Dialogue on Transparency jointly organized by the UNFCCC Secretariat and the past, current, and incoming COP Presidencies (COP29-31), Parties were urged to submit their next reports* in a timely manner by the end of 2026. In addition, under the agenda item on support for transparency implementation in developing countries**, Parties explored practical support measures. However, due to differing views on the scale of financial resources and future modalities of support, discussions will continue at the next session (SB65).

* Biennial Transparency Report (BTR): A report submitted every two years by Parties to the Paris Agreement, containing information such as greenhouse gas emissions and progress in implementing their NDCs.

** Support for Transparency Implementation in Developing Countries: An agenda item that discusses multilateral and bilateral financial and technical support measures to assist developing countries in meeting transparency reporting requirements and strengthening related capacities under Article 13 of the Paris Agreement.

Meanwhile, building on its efforts at SB62, the Korean delegation once again hosted a side event during this session to showcase practical and effective capacity-building initiatives for developing countries. These included training programs on greenhouse gas inventory preparation and climate change adaptation reporting, which were introduced to the international community as examples of tangible support for strengthening transparency capacities.

[Carbon Markets (Article 6 of the Paris Agreement)]

Discussions were held on options for financing the operation of Article 6.2 cooperative approaches and the maintenance and management of related infrastructure, including the International Registry. Parties generally agreed on the need to secure sustainable funding to ensure the stable operation of Article 6.2. Based on a technical paper prepared by the Secretariat, they examined a range of possible financing and management arrangements. However, significant differences remained regarding the specific mechanisms for raising and administering such funds. As a result, discussions on this issue will continue at COP31. 

In addition, the Third Ambition Dialogue was held during this session, providing a platform for Parties to share updates on their institutional and technical preparedness for participation in Article 6.2, as well as their experiences in implementing cooperative approaches. Parties exchanged information and experiences regarding key implementation challenges and potential solutions, including the establishment of reporting systems, data quality management, and the safeguarding of environmental integrity. These discussions are expected to contribute to the effective implementation of Article 6.2 and the continued development of its operational framework in the years ahead. 

[Agriculture and Food Security]

Under the agenda item on Agriculture and Food Security, a workshop was held on means of implementation for climate action, and Parties adopted the official conclusions of the Joint Work on Agriculture and Food Security aimed at safeguarding food security in the face of the climate crisis. Through this agreement, countries committed to strengthening global cooperation on agriculture and food security, including the mobilization of financial resources and the provision of technical support. The outcomes of this agreement are expected to be further developed into concrete implementation plans at the upcoming Subsidiary Bodies session (SB65).

[Climate Change and Forests]

During SB64, the COP30 Presidency (Brazil) and the COP31 Presidency (Turkiye) hosted a Party-focused event on 8 June and a civil society event on 9 June to advance the goal of “Halting and Reversing Deforestation and Forest Degradation by 2030.” At these events, the Presidencies introduced the background and objectives of the 2030 Forest Roadmap, its proposed structure, and the planned process for its development and implementation. They also sought broad input from a wide range of stakeholders, including Parties, civil society organizations, and other interested groups, on the key elements that should be reflected in the Forest Roadmap. 

The COP Presidencies invited further submissions of views, experiences, and best practices on the elements that should be considered in developing the 2030 Forest Roadmap. Based on these inputs, a draft roadmap is expected to be circulated in early October. The final version is scheduled to be unveiled during COP31, which will be held in Turkiye this November.

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