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The 62nd meeting of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB62) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has begun in Bonn, running through to June 26, 2025.

These sessions, led by the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI), serve as a key preparatory stage for COP30, which is set to take place in Belém, Brazil, in November 2025.

The opening was marked by tension, as nearly 30 hours passed before negotiators reached a consensus and adopted the agenda. Following this, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell urged delegates to pick up the pace.

“The past 30 hours have been hard and have not reflected the urgency we face,” said Stiell. “Yes, the issues have been complex, as they usually are. But now, through cooperation and compromise, we have resolved the impasse.”

Key focus areas for the Bonn meetings include the global stocktake process and how it informs further implementation of the Paris Agreement. Progress on international climate finance, particularly support for adaptation and the design of the Loss and Damage Fund, is also on the agenda.

These meetings are seen as a vital step in turning concepts into actionable solutions, laying the groundwork for deep emissions cuts and meaningful adaptation across sectors and societies.

With the world battling the triple crises of floods, droughts, and heatwaves, the urgency of these negotiations cannot be overstated. The mounting climate impacts are placing immense pressure on communities across the globe.

Stiell reinforced the value of multilateral efforts, warning that without coordinated UN climate action, the world could be on track for up to 5°C of warming. “Now it’s around 3,” he noted.

“It’s a reminder that 1.5°C, and protecting all people, remain both achievable and essential,” he added. “Despite the noise, there are plenty of reasons for optimism. We’re seeing strong signals for climate action from major economies, clear green lights for investors and doers.”