Katowiche, Poland, 12th of December 2018 – An important acknowledgement for the GECF took place at the COP24 in Katowice. COP24 is the informal name for the 24th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC).

COP24, also referred to as the ‘Katowice Climate Change Conference’, is being held between 2 and 14 December in Katowice, Poland. The aim of the conference is the practical implementation of the 2015 Paris Agreement, part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. On December 12th, the GECF was formally acknowledged as an Observer Intergovernmental Organisation to UNFCCC.

The GECF supports and actively contributes to the ongoing dialogue on greenhouse gas mitigation and sustainable development and is currently preparing the launch of the GECF climate initiative. The initiative aims to strengthen actions and policies that reduce climate impacts from energy-related activities.

One of the highest values of the GECF as an organization is the acknowledgement that natural gas, as the cleanest fossil fuel, has a vital role to play in the global energy mix and in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The Forum’s Global Gas Outlook (GGO) projects that, given current and anticipated policy efforts, energy-related CO2 emissions will remain much higher than what is required to meet the Paris Agreement targets. The Secretary General, HE Dr. Sentyurin mentioned in his statement at the COP24 that it is only through initiatives like these, that the international community can expand the dialogue and work towards finding more effective and flexible solutions to these significant global challenges.

Therefore, it is a great honour for the Forum to be confirmed by the UNFCCC and its valued members as a new Observer Member. Dr. Sentyurin expressed his sincere appreciation to the Polish government and the UNFCCC Secretariat for organising the conference and for their support.