FCCC/SB/1996/L.1 VIII. ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL TECHNICAL A. Extract from the provisional report of the SBSTA Establishment of intergovernmental technical advisory panel(s) Conclusions 81. The SBSTA recognized that ITAPS had the potential to make an important contribution to the processes under the Convention and to the implementation of the Convention by Parties, in particular by providing an opportunity to draw upon the broad range of expertise available in Parties. However, at this stage the SBSTA could not agree on the modalities for such a panel, or panels, and decided to request guidance from the next session of the COP on this issue; in this context it requested its Chairman to report to the COP. 82. The SBSTA also recognized that it may be beneficial to develop a roster of experts to assist the Convention process in the conduct of its work. It requested the Parties to submit comments on the concept of a roster, including the disciplines that such a roster might cover by 1 April 1996. It requested the secretariat to compile the comments and to prepare a paper on this subject. IX. FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION A. Extract from the provisional report of the SBI Matters relating to the financial mechanism Conclusions 83. On the basis of the proposals by the Chairman, the SBI adopted the following conclusions. 84. The SBI considered document FCCC/SBI/1996/3 and took note of the information contained therein on relevant action taken by the Council of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), including the adoption by the Council of the GEF of its operational strategy. 85. The SBI concluded that: (a) The GEF, as the interim operating entity of the financial mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its implementing agencies should provide expeditious and timely support under Articles 4.3 and 12.5 for the FCCC/SB/1996/L.1 preparation of national communications by developing country Parties in accordance with Article 12.1; (b) The GEF, as the interim operating entity of the financial mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in that connection, should consider country-specific needs but could also consider approaches which may be used for several countries with similar needs upon request, and take into account that the preparation of national communications is a continuing process. In this regard, the guidelines to be adopted by the Conference of the Parties (COP) on the preparation of the national communications of non-Annex I Parties should be taken fully into account; (c) The GEF, as the interim operating entity of the financial mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in this initial period, should implement enabling activities consistent with the guidance provided to it by the COP and expedite the disbursement of resources to meet the agreed full costs of such activities in accordance with Article 4.3, in particular the initial and subsequent preparation of national communications of Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention. Technical and financial cooperation: progress report Conclusions 86. On the basis of the proposals by the Chairman, the SBI adopted the following conclusions. 87. The SBI considered document FCCC/SBI/1996/4 and took note of the information contained therein on secretariat activities in the area of technical and financial cooperation, in particular its efforts on CC:INFO, CC:FORUM and CC:TRAIN. 88. The SBI concluded that: (a) Services provided by the secretariat in this area should be recognized, in particular those promoting the exchange of information through CC:INFO and those aiming at the coordination of activities and the effective utilization of resources for support to the preparation of national communications through CC:FORUM. (b) The secretariat should prepare a report for the next session of the SBI on possibilities for strengthening and expanding these activities in support of the preparation of the national communications of Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention. Annex INITIAL LIST OF ITEMS ON WHICH THE IPCC COULD PROVIDE INPUT TO THE SBSTA All available research results in the open literature relevant to all SBSTA items have been addressed in either the Second Assessment eport or the IPCC Special Report on Radiative Forcing (IPCC 1994). All SBSTA items will be covered in the Third Assessment Report. is recognized that particular emphasis would be placed on the technical papers and on regional scenarios of climate change, regional impacts of imate change and response measures, methodological and technological aspects of technology transfer, and adaptation measures. FCCC/SB/1996/L.1 page 23 Initiation of all Special Reports is subject to approval by the IPCC at its XIIth session. Special Reports will follow the full IPCC review and approval procedures and re approximately 18 months for preparation and approval. Technical papers will require approximately 6-9 months for preparation, review, and release by the Bureau of the IPCC. Already included in the IPCC programme of work for 1996-1997 |