Conference of the Parties (COP)

The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the supreme decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It comprises representatives from all Parties' countries and organizations that have ratified the Convention. The COP convenes annually to assess progress in addressing climate change, negotiate agreements, and establish commitments for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Key functions of the COP include:

• Reviewing Implementation: Evaluating the effectiveness of measures taken by Parties to achieve the objectives of the Convention.
• Decision-Making: Adopting decisions and resolutions to promote the implementation of the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement.
• Facilitating Negotiations: Providing a platform for Parties to negotiate and update international climate agreements and commitments.
• Mobilizing Resources: Encouraging financial support and technological cooperation to assist developing countries in mitigating and adapting to climate change.

The COP meetings are pivotal in the global effort to address climate change, bringing together governments, non-governmental organizations, scientists, and other stakeholders to collaborate on solutions and track progress.

Source(s):

• Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL). (n.d.). What is COP?
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). (n.d.). Conference of the Parties (COP).
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). (n.d.). What are United Nations Climate Change Conferences?

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