Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks and Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, have invited around 30 ministers from all regions of the world to the eighth Petersberg Climate Dialogue on 22 and 23 May in Berlin. The theme of the meeting is “Working together on solutions”. The ministers will have the opportunity to prepare negotiations at the COP23 Climate Change Conference in Bonn in November and to discuss practical implementation of the Paris Agreement. Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and the future COP President Bainimarama will address the delegates on Tuesday.
This year’s Climate Dialogue will be shaped by Fiji’s upcoming COP Presidency - the first time a small island state has taken on this role. Discussions on Monday will address the current political challenges for climate diplomacy and expectations for COP23 in Bonn. In the afternoon, the ministers will discuss ambitious nationally determined contributions and adaptation strategies. Germany’s G20 Presidency is also reflected in the programme: on Tuesday, the OECD Secretary-General, Angel Gurría, will present a report analysing the growth impacts of investments in climate action on the G20 economies. This report was drawn up with the support of the Federal Environment Ministry as part of Germany’s G20 Presidency.
The German government has been organising the Petersberg Climate Dialogue since 2010, when it was held on the Petersberg near Bonn. This meeting has now established itself as an important event for international climate diplomacy. It is held in an informal setting to foster open debate. The co-chair at the Climate Dialogue is the country presiding over the next Climate Change Conference.