ECO read the informal note prepared by COP22 and COP23 Presidencies on the features of the facilitate dialogue in 2018 (a.k.a “Talanoa Dialogue”) with great interest and believes that the note reflects rich consultations they had with Parties throughout the year. It can serve as a good start for discussion to finalize the “design” of the dialogue at this COP.
The dialogue will be the first opportunity for Parties to recognize the gap we have and to explore ways to ramp up their ambition. The increase of ambition could take various forms but one thing is clear: the Dialogue has to inspire Parties to take concrete actions to put us back on the right track to achieve the Paris Agreement’s purpose.
ECO finds it a great idea to have both COP23 and COP24 Presidencies navigate the Dialogue. We trust both presidencies to conduct the Dialogue in a “Talanoa” style, meaning, in an “inclusive, participatory and transparent” manner. We also welcome the fact that the note recognizes the role of non-Party Stakeholders in convening national, regional or global events as well as in preparing analytical and policy relevant inputs. There are still some issues to be resolved in the design but we also recognize that we do not have much time left till the end of this COP.
ECO recently learned the literal meaning of “bula” is “life” and meetings get started with a loud chant of “Bula!” in Fiji. So, let us say “Bula!” at the end of this COP to the Dialogue, which could pave the way for a year-long process of increasing ambition.