Four Regional Climate Weeks in 2023 to Build Momentum for COP28

Climate Change News, 16 March 2023 – Four Regional Climate Weeks will be held this year to build momentum ahead of COP28 and the conclusion of the first global stocktake, designed to chart the way for fulfilling the Paris Agreement’s key goals.

“The global stocktake is a critical turning point when it comes to efforts to address climate change – it’s a moment to take a close look at the state of our planet and to chart a better course for the future,” said the Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change Simon Stiell. “We need regional stakeholders to identify what works for them, and to present plans and strategies at COP28 in Dubai which are regionally applicable. This will be a key role of the Regional Climate Weeks this year.”

The following Regional Climate Weeks are confirmed:

• Africa Climate Week (ACW 2023), Nairobi, 4-8 September. Hosted by the government of Kenya, this event will be organized in parallel with the African Climate Action Summit (4-6 September), also hosted by Kenya.
• Middle East and North Africa Climate Week (MENACW 2023), Riyadh, 9-12 October, and hosted by the government of Saudi Arabia.
• Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week (LACCW 2023), Panama City, 23-27 October. Hosted by the government of Panama, the week will be organized back-to-back with the Latin American Ministerial Forum for Environment Ministers.
• Asia-Pacific Climate Week (APCW 2023) will also take place in the second half of 2023, with the venue and dates announced shortly.

Regional Climate Weeks bring together a diverse range of stakeholders for regional collaboration on climate change. Participants include representatives of governments, the private sector, development organizations, youth groups and civil society opening space.  The events provide numerous opportunities to engage in solution-oriented dialogues, to build new partnerships and collaborate on climate action projects.

This year’s Regional Climate Weeks aim at clustering key events ahead of COP28 which have been mandated by governments but which are not part of the formal negotiating agenda.

All the Regional Climate Weeks will be delivered in close cooperation with global partners of UN Climate Change – the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Bank groups – as well as regional partners.