Foreword
Dear reader,
The first half of 2023 has been a productive one for the Centre, as we focused on supporting all three of the Rio Conventions – UN Convention to Combat Desertification, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
At CEMUNE, we firmly believe that the success of these three treaties is critical to making progress on global sustainability and the triple planetary crises of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. We have therefore worked hard with our partners to provide tailor-made training sessions in support of the Rio Conventions’ activities as they work towards a more sustainable future.
The second half of the year promises to be as exciting as the first, and we look forward to updating you in due course. To find out more about what we’ve done so far, continue reading below, and, as always, you are welcome to follow us on LinkedIn. If you want to learn more or support us, please reach out to us at info@cemune.org
Best wishes,
Kai and Magnus
Dr. Kai MonheimDirector and Managing Partner
Dr. Magnus LundgrenDeputy Director and Managing PartnerCEMUNE has been working with the UNCCD to train focal points in advanced multilateral negotiation techniques. Working across the globe, from Armenia to Istanbul, Nairobi to Seoul, with 50 different countries represented, the CEMUNE team ensure that trainees have the skill set to successfully navigate negotiation dynamics and leverage like-minded participants for future success.
In the second half of the year, CEMUNE will once again be supporting the UNCCD, training North African and Arab focal points in advanced multilateral negotiation techniques. Many thanks to all those involved, including our hosts, and trainers for making these trainings such a success.
During April, CEMUNE spent three amazing days in London with the United Kingdom’s biodiversity team focusing on skill-building in preparation for the subsidiary body meetings that take place in the second half of the year. The CEMUNE team delivered two tailor-made training sessions. The first was a skill-building session in advanced multilateral negotiation techniques. The second session was an intense one-day workshop on the role of Chairs and best practices for chairing small group sessions. Richard Kinley, former UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary, and Hesiquio Benitez, Mexico, and CBD SBSTTA Chair, joined us during this session to share their wealth of knowledge accumulated from decades of experience.
Supporting the UNFCCC COP28 Presidency, held by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has kept CEMUNE busy this year. Working with key members of the team, we’ve sought to continue our strong track record of advising UNFCCC Presidency teams by providing trainings on process and hot topics as we progress towards COP28, to be held in December 2023. From negotiators to top leadership, online and on-site, CEMUNE’s main areas of support have included discussions around finance, the first Global Stocktake, mitigation and adaptation, and key events to leverage ahead of December. The process has been an exciting one, and we thank all those involved for making this support possible.
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Research Tips
Langlet, A., Wanneau, K., Dunshirn, P., Ruiz Rodríguez, S., Tessnow-von Wysocki, I. & B.M.Vadrot, A. (2022). A matter of time: the impacts of Covid-19 on marine biodiversity negotiations. Négociations, 37, 39-65. https://doi.org/10.3917/neg.037.0039
Larissa Versloot, The vitality of trusting relations in multilateral diplomacy: an account of the European Union, International Affairs, Volume 98, Issue 2, March 2022, Pages 509–528, https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiab260
Earsom, J., and Delreux, T. (2023) One Big Conversation: The EU's Climate Diplomacy across the International Regime Complex on the Paris Agreement Negotiations. JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies, 61: 198– 214. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcms.13365.