UNCCD COP 12 delegates worked in contact groups throughout Friday, 23 October, to complete their negotiations. The final meetings of the CRIC and COW will convene to review the draft decisions from these contact groups, with a view to recommending them for adoption during a COP Plenary session.

As of 6:30 pm, the CRIC contact group had completed its work but the final CRIC session had not yet been scheduled.

From 8:05 pm to 8:20 pm, the COW considered and adopted six decisions. The COW was then suspended, pending distribution of the draft programme and budget decision.

The CRIC was called to order at 8:56 pm, and adopted six decisions. The new CRIC Bureau was also elected. The meeting suspended at 9:11 pm, while delegates awaited new documents.

The COW convened at 9:42 pm to adopt the programme and budget for the biennium 2016-2017. The decision was adopted without comment, and the COW closed at 9:44 pm.

The CRIC opened at 9:53 pm. Following the adoption of the report of CRIC 14, the CRIC closed at 10:11 pm.

The COP plenary opened for the final time at 10:29 pm.

The COP closed at 11:54 pm.

Please consult the full Article under the following link: 12th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP 12)

Image credit: IISD