I just arrived in freezing Katowice in Poland for COP24 and even before the COP started, attended a pre-COP strategy meeting on Loss and Damage for the four negotiating groups that are amongst the most Vulnerable. Namely the LDC Group, Africa, AOSIS and AILAC.
The meeting which was organised by ICCCAD with support from Mercy Corps went very well and all four Groups will try to coordinate around common messaging on Loss and Damage.
I then registered at COP24 which happens to be my 24th COP. I am not sure how many others have been to every single COP?
I will try to post a blog on COP24 every day if I can (I might skip a few days!) In order to share what I am doing and what is happening on the issues which I follow.
As this is my first blog let me start by explaining what I do at the COPs.
I am not an official negotiator but rather an “Observer”. This is the First time I am registered as ICCCAD-IUB (previously I was registered under IIED). I am proud that ICCCAD-IUB has been recognised as an official Observer (no mean feat!). I am also glad that I will be joined by ten more colleagues over the coming two weeks.
My colleagues will be posting their own blogs over coming days as well.
As an Observer I am involved in many different side events including the two-day Development and Climate Days at COP event (organised by IIED) on the weekend in the middle of the COP and a new Capacity Building Day at COP on 11th December.
ICCCAD is also a member of both the RINGO (Research) as well as CAN (environmental NGOs) Groups who are amongst the different recognised Observer groups. Some of my younger colleagues are also members of the YOUNGO (youth) Group.
These different Observer groups have their own regular meetings and activities.
My most substantial role in the context of the negotiations is as an official Adviser to the Chair of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group on Adaptation as well as Loss and Damage.
ICCCAD and IIED also organise pre-COP strategy and planning days for the LDC Negotiators as well as training for junior negotiators.
I also write regular blogs and articles for various online and print outlets.
This time i am going to try to do this regular blog to report back on what I am doing and also the topics which I follow.
If anyone is interested in following me please look up www.icccad.net every day.
Wishing everyone the very best.
Saleem
About the author: Dr. Saleemul Huq is the director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) at the Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB).
Email: saleemul.huq@icccad.net
