Bangkok, 7 September 2018

Dear COP23 Presidency and incoming COP24 Presidency,
We would like to thank you for the opportunity you gave us to share our views on
how the political phase of the Talanoa Dialogue should be conducted at COP24 and
for allowing us to provide more detailed comments in writing.
In relation to the three questions that you posed to us during our meeting, that is:
i) on the participation of Non-Party Stakeholders at the event; ii) on the possibility to
participate below ministerial level; iii) on the form of the outcome, the European
Union and its Member States would like to give the following views:
Regarding the participation of Non-Party Stakeholders at the event, we support the
participation of high-level representatives of intergovernmental organizations as well
as representatives from non-Party stakeholders (e.g. civil society organizations,
businesses, investors, regions). We make some further suggestions in the annex on
ways in which they could actively participate.
Regarding the possibility to participate below ministerial level, we expect the event
to be at least at ministerial level, if not higher. In order to make the event sufficiently
attractive for ministerial participation, we also make some further suggestions in the
annex below.
Regarding the form of the outcome, we see the merit of different options (political
declaration, combination of a declaration with a short COP decision), but the essence
to us is that it must capture the political momentum of the event in a forward-looking
manner, expressing our collective determination to look into ways for enhancing
action.
Regarding the actual organization of the one-day high-level event that will constitute
the political phase of the Talanoa Dialogue, it is crucial to design a setting that will
be politically attractive for ministers, and visible for the media and for the general
public. The Talanoa Dialogue during the High-Level Segment of COP24 is a unique
opportunity to send a strong message to the outside world, in support of the
implementation of the Paris Agreement and its long-term mitigation goal in
Article 4.1, to spur momentum for action and responding to the latest findings by the
IPCC and the Special Report on 1.5 °C.

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Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

 The EU has reflected on ideas on how it could be organized very concretely. Here
attached you will find a possible schedule that to us seems a politically attractive
format. While this is but one example of a schedule, it might serve as “food for
thought” and inspire you when defining the organization of the political phase of the
Talanoa Dialogue.

Yours sincerely,
On behalf of the European Union and its Member States:

2

Helmut Hojesky

Elina Bardram

Head of Delegation
of the Austrian Presidency
of the Council of the EU

Head of EU Delegation
to the UNFCCC

Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

 Annex – EU views on the design of the political phase of the Talanoa Dialogue
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The event should be at the level of Ministers.
A short opening plenary with the following sequence:
o an opening ceremony with introduction by the COP Presidencies, the
UNFCCC Executive Secretary, the United Nations Secretary General,
giving a political impetus;
o a short presentation of the findings of the preparatory phase of the
Talanoa Dialogue;
o a presentation by the IPCC President of the main findings of the IPCC
Special Report on a warming of 1.5°C; and
o a presentation of principles guiding the discussions in the break-out
groups: discussions should be focused on science; on solutions and
on actions.
During the remainder of the morning, break-out groups (consider increasing
the number of break-out groups to more than 7 and also consider a thematic
approach consistent with the themes of the UN SG Summit and/or specific
sectors) each facilitated by one or two Minister(s) (from different
constituencies) or a high-level representative of a non-Party Stakeholder
(e.g. IKEA CEO Jesper Brodin, etc.) or a head of an international organization
(e.g. World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol);
A lunch event with interactive discussions between Ministers and non-Party
stakeholder representatives;
An afternoon plenary feeding back from the break-out groups in the form of
a high-level panel composed by the facilitators of the break-out groups and
possibly complemented with a few more Ministers;
Followed by an opportunity for interventions by Parties (preferably limited to
short regional group statements);
An Intervention by the UN Secretary General, giving a political impetus to
follow-up in 2019 on the outcome of the Talanoa Dialogue, and making the
link with his special event organized in September 2019;
Presentation of the final outcome document of the Talanoa Dialogue by
the COP Presidency.

Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union