70 nations gathered in Marrakech to prepare for COP22

On 18 and 19 October, a Pre-COP Ministerial Meeting was held to prepare for COP22, which is hosted in Marrakech from 7 to 8 November.

The Pre-COP meeting was hosted by the Moroccan Presidency of COP22 in Marrakech, and the opening session was chaired by Salaheddine Mezouar, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Morocco and COP22 President and Segolene Royal, Minister of the Environment of France and COP21 President, as well as Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC. 

The meeting – which welcomed ministers and representatives from 70 countries – aimed at finishing the preparation of the COP22 agenda, as well as planning the entry into force of the Paris Agreement on the 4th November, and the first meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA1) during the COP.

UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa called the early entry into force of the Paris Agreement a “historic moment for people everywhere and for multilateralism.” 

Representatives understand the need to establish the implementation of the Paris Agreement – before, and after 2020 – regarding capacity building and financial tools as well as rules for the implementation of the deal.

The COP22 President (Insert name) encouraged the Parties that have not ratified the Paris Agreement to do so during his opening remarks this week.

He said: “CMA1 in Marrakech will be an inclusive moment.”

The implementation of the National Determined Contributions (NDCs) is also a central worry, as well as engaging stakeholders from the private sector.

Minister Mezouar said: “Morocco wanted to set the example and therefore we have revised our greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal from 32% to 42% by 2030.” 

COP21 President Segolene Royal said: “All the elements are in place for a successful COP22 in Marrakech.”