SC59, the third extraordinary meeting of the COP and the resumed session of SC59

The 59th Meeting of the Standing Committee took place online from 21 to 25 June 2021. During the meeting, 28 Decisions were taken including that a resumed session of SC59 would take place between 23 and 27 May 2022.

In preparation for the Third Extraordinary Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties, the Secretariat, along with the Standing Committee representatives, organised Regional Consultations in the Americas, Africa, Asia, Oceania and Europe between 17 and 29 September. This was an important opportunity for all Contracting Parties to become familiar with the agenda, procedural and logistical matters of the Extraordinary COP as well as to discuss and share views concerning the draft resolutions on the postponement of COP14 dates and the budget of the Convention for 2022. 

The Third Extraordinary Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) was held virtually from 25 to 29 October with a resumed session on 4 November.

Contracting Parties adopted two resolutions:

·       Resolution ExCOP3.1: Postponement of the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP14) sets new dates of 21 to 29 November 2022 for COP14 to be held in Wuhan, China.

·       Resolution ExCOP3.2: Financial and budgetary matters: The 2022 core budget of the Convention on Wetlands provides an approved 2022 budget for the operation of the Convention.

The Meeting Report can be viewed here.

A resumed session of the 59th meeting of the Standing Committee will take place between 23 May to 27 May 2022. Per the Rules of Procedure, a provisional agenda for the meeting will be published on the Convention’s website 90 days before the resumed session. Draft Resolutions may be submitted by Parties up to 60 days before the resumed session begins.