2026 ACE Dialogue and Technical Workshop
Background
The annual dialogue on Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) provides a regular forum for Parties and other stakeholders to share their experiences, exchange ideas, good practices, and lessons learned regarding the implementation of Article 6 of the Convention and Article 12 of the Paris Agreement through its six elements – climate change education and public awareness, training, public participation and access to information and international cooperation on these matters.
At COP26, under the Glasgow work programme on ACE, Parties requested the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) to undertake a midterm review of progress at its sixty-fourth session (2026) and a final review of progress at its seventy-fourth session (2031) of the Glasgow work programme to evaluate its effectiveness, identify any emerging gaps and needs, and inform any consideration of improving the work programme. Parties also requested the secretariat to assist the Chair of the SBI in preparing a synthesis report ahead of the midterm review and the final review of the Glasgow work programme on the integration of Action for Climate Empowerment into relevant reports and communications submitted by Parties to the secretariat as part of the UNFCCC process for consideration by the SBI at its sixty-fourth and seventy-fourth sessions (SB64), respectively.
Further, at COP30, Parties decided that the 2026 Dialogue on ACE, to be held at SB64, should facilitate inputs to inform the midterm review of the Glasgow work programme on ACE, by focusing on the effectiveness of the work programme and any emerging gaps and needs relating to its implementation, and to inform any discussions on improving the work programme, as appropriate. They also requested the SBI to organize an interactive technical workshop, to be held at the 2026 Dialogue on ACE, for a broad range of participants, including representatives of Parties, UNFCCC constituted bodies and work programmes, and other stakeholders, as well as experts and practitioners, to discuss potential elements for a new action plan under the work programme. Finally, Parties and non-Party stakeholders were invited to submit views on matters to be addressed at the 2026 Dialogue on ACE and the technical workshop, as part of the call for annual submissions on the Dialogue, via the submission portal by 31 March 2026.
Based on the above, in this three-day event, comprising the ACE Dialogue and the technical workshop, participants will have the opportunity to share experiences and views on the effectiveness of the Glasgow work programme on ACE and opportunities for its improvement. They will also be able to exchange views and discuss potential elements for a new action plan under the work programme. The event will be complemented by the ACE Gallery 2026, which will showcase good practices under the four priority areas to be considered in the upcoming work.
Registration
Nominated Party and constituency representatives
Under the guidance of the SBI Chair, and to ensure inclusiveness, a letter has been sent to Parties and Observer constituencies, asking for nominations for in-person participation. The letter is available HERE.
- Nominated in-person participation will need registration both to the SB 64 conference and the in-session ACE Dialogue and technical workshop (using the link provided by the secretariat in the letter).
- Participants are requested to arrive early at the registration desk of the ACE Dialogue to collect their overlay badge (additional badge).
All other interested stakeholders (who have not been nominated by a Party or UNFCCC constituency)
All stakeholders can express their interest in participating in the ACE Dialogue and technical workshop, in-person or virtually. Following the guidance of the SBI Chair, the secretariat will revise expressions of interest, considering availability of space, based generally on a first-come, first-served basis but also considering regional, observer, and gender balance, as well as the role played in implementing the Glasgow work programme and its action plan.
- The link to register your expression of interest to attend the workshop virtually and/or in-person (limited) is available here: HERE.
- Expressions of interest should be sent by 4 June 2026, at 23:59 CEST
- Those who express their interest in in-person participation will be notified of the modality of their participation.
- Only participants who have registered and received confirmation of acceptance will be able to attend the event.
- In-person participants need to be registered for both the SB 64 conference and the in-session ACE Dialogue and technical workshop.
- Participants are requested to arrive early at the registration desk of the ACE Dialogue to collect their overlay badge (additional badge).
Virtual Participation
- Virtual participation is an integral aspect of the workshop and is open to all, upon registration to the SB 64 and to the ACE Dialogue and technical workshop (please see instructions above). Virtual participants will engage in online group work and report back in plenary.
- Information for virtual participation at SB 64 is available HERE.
- Those not registered for SB 64 will be able to follow plenary sessions via public broadcast. The links are available on the agenda below.
Methodology
- The agenda and presentations made by the secretariat will be based on the synthesis report on the integration of ACE into relevant reports and communications submitted by Parties to the secretariat as part of the UNFCCC process and submissions made by Parties and non-Party Stakeholders through the UNFCCC submissions portal by 31 March 2026.
- Supporting documents will be available on this website.
- Materials developed during the dialogue and workshop will be made available on the website by the end of each day.
Expected Outcome
- Participants reflect on, discuss, and share views on the effectiveness of the Glasgow work programme on ACE.
- Participants identify any emerging gaps and needs relating to the Glasgow work programme’s implementation that can inform discussions on its improvement.
- Participants develop an improved understanding of what constitutes an effective, impactful, and implementable activity and deliverable.
Relevant documents
Agenda
Day 1
Link to the public webcast
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Monday, 8 June 2026
ACE Dialogue 2026
10:00 – 18:00
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9:00 – 10:00
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Registration
Due to room capacity constraints, in-person participation in this workshop will only be possible upon registration
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10:00 - 10:30
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Opening Session
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10:30 - 11:15
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Setting the Scene
- Introductory presentation on ACE by the secretariat
- Reflections by Parties and non-Party stakeholders on ACE implementation guided by the Glasgow work programme and its Action Plan
Guiding Questions:
Speakers are invited to reflect on their experiences in advancing ACE implementation under the guidance of the Glasgow work programme and its Action Plan, in particular:
- What elements of the Glasgow work programme and its Action Plan have been most useful in supporting implementation in the context of your work?
- Looking ahead, how could this international framework be strengthened to better support ACE implementation in the context of your work?
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11:15 - 13:00
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Looking Back: Breakout Discussions (Session I)
Objective: Collective reflection on the effectiveness of the Glasgow work programme on ACE, and identification of emerging gaps and needs.
Format: World Café (4 stations, 1 rotation – 45 minutes)
Focus: Each station addresses one ACE priority area
Guiding Questions:
- How have existing activities and deliverables supported the objectives of the priority area?
- How can implementation be strengthened at international, regional, national, or local levels (Who, What, Where, When, How)?
Participant Preparation: Participants are requested to bring a digital or printed copy of the Glasgow work programme and ACE Action Plan. Familiarity with these documents is essential for effective engagement.
Documentation:
- Discussions will be captured using a standardized template
- A facilitator will be designated per group to moderate discussions and record key insights
- Completed templates will be submitted to the secretariat and made available on the UNFCCC website. Note-takers from the UNFCCC secretariat will provide support.
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Break
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15:00 - 16:45
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Looking Back: Breakout Discussions (Session II)
Objective: Continued reflection to deepen analysis and broaden input across priority areas.
Format: World Café (4 stations, 1 rotation – 45 minutes)
Focus: Each station addresses one ACE priority area
Guiding Questions: (same as Session I)
- How have existing activities and deliverables supported the objectives of the priority area?
- How can implementation be strengthened at international, regional, national, or local levels (Who, What, Where, When, How)?
Documentation and Outputs:
- Use of the same reporting template
- A facilitator will be designated per group to moderate discussions and record key insights
- Completed templates will be submitted to the secretariat and made available on the UNFCCC website. Note-takers from the UNFCCC secretariat will provide support.
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16:45 - 17:15
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Report Back to Plenary
Facilitators present key insights from breakout discussions
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17:15 - 17:50
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Preparing for the Technical Workshop
Introduction to the methodology for the technical workshop, with a focus on the ACE Action Plan, including a brief discussion on considerations for the development of effective, impactful, and implementable activities and deliverables.
Key Considerations:
- What constitutes a well-designed activity and deliverable?
- What impact or result is being sought, and which activities or deliverables are most likely to achieve it?
- Which elements should be considered when designing activities that are impactful and implementable, and why are they important?
- How should responsibilities be allocated, and what is the best approach to identifying relevant actors and roles?
- What factors should be taken into account when designing timelines for activities and deliverables, including the sequencing of deliverables?
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17:50 - 18:00
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Closing of Day 1
The moderator wraps up and closes the day
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Agenda – Day 2
Link to the public webcast
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Tuesday, 9 June 2026
ACE Dialogue 2026 – Technical Workshop
10:00-18:00
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9:00-10:00
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Registration
Due to room capacity constraints, in-person participation in this workshop will only be possible upon registration
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10:00 - 10:10
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Opening Session
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10:10-10:15
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Special Address
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10:15 - 11:00
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Visioning Exercise
To stimulate forward-looking thinking on where participants would like to see the ACE agenda by 2031 and beyond. This exercise will help frame subsequent discussions on the concrete activities and deliverables required to realize that vision.
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11:00 - 11:05
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Refresher Presentation
Building on the presentation delivered on the previous day, this session will provide a brief overview of key considerations for designing effective, impactful, and implementable activities and deliverables.
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11:05 - 11:20
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Introduction to the Prioritization Exercise
The moderator introduces the methodology for the prioritization exercise, which will support the session's discussion on updating existing activities in the Action Plan. Participants will later be divided into groups to discuss potential updates to existing activities under the ACE Action Plan.
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11:20 - 13:00
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Updating existing activities: Group work (Session I)
Objective: Collective reflection on existing activities in the Action Plan under the Glasgow work program on ACE
Format: World Café (4 stations, 1 rotation – 45 minutes)
Focus: Each station addresses a priority area
Guiding Questions:
- Which elements of this activity could be updated to make it more fit for purpose (and is the purpose clear)? How could it be improved?
- Do the proposed changes relate to the description of the activity, stakeholders responsible for implementation, deliverables/outputs, timelines, or level of implementation?
Participant Preparation: Participants are requested to bring a digital or printed copy of the Glasgow work programme and ACE Action Plan. Familiarity with these documents is essential for effective engagement.
Documentation:
- Discussions will be captured by the note-takers
- A facilitator will be designated per group to moderate discussions and record key insights
- The facilitator will create revised versions of the prioritized activities based on group discussions
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Break
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15:00 – 15:05
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Presentation of the afternoon activities
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15:05 – 15:10
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Special Address
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15:10 - 16:45
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Updating existing activities: Group work (Session I)
Objective: Continued reflection on existing activities in the Action Plan under the Glasgow work program on ACE
Format: World Café (4 stations, 1 rotation – 45 minutes)
Focus: Each station addresses a priority area
Guiding Questions:
- Which elements of this activity could be updated to make it more fit for purpose (and is the purpose clear)? How could it be improved?
- Do the proposed changes relate to the description of the activity, stakeholders responsible for implementation, deliverables/outputs, or level of implementation?
Participant Preparation: Participants are requested to bring a digital or printed copy of the Glasgow work programme and ACE Action Plan. Familiarity with these documents is essential for effective engagement.
Documentation:
- Discussions will be captured by the note-takers
- A facilitator will be designated per group to moderate discussions and record key insights
- The facilitator will create revised versions of the prioritized activities based on group discussions
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16:45 - 17:30
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Report Back to Plenary
Facilitators present key insights from the group discussions
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17:30 - 17:45
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Preparing for Day 3 of the Technical Workshop
Introduction to the methodology for the next day of the technical workshop
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17:45 - 18:00
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Closing of Day 2
The moderator wraps up and closes the day
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Agenda - Day 3
Link to the public webcast
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Thursday, 11 June 2026
ACE Dialogue 2026 and Technical Workshop
10:00 – 18:00
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9:30-10:00
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Registration
Due to room capacity constraints, in-person participation in this workshop will only be possible upon registration
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10:00 - 10:10
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Opening Session
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10:10-10:20
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Theory of Change
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10:20 - 12:55
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Possible new activities: Group work (Session I)
Objective: Collective reflection on potential new elements for a future action plan under the Glasgow work programme on ACE, with the aim of developing an improved understanding of what constitutes an effective, impactful, and implementable activity and deliverable.
Format: World Café (4 stations, 2 rotations – 45 minutes)
Focus: Each station will address a priority area.
Guiding Questions:
- Based on the potential new activities presented, are there any gaps or missing elements? What should be added or strengthened?
- What are the intended outcomes of the proposed activities, and which deliverables would best support their achievement?
Participant Preparation: Familiarity with the Glasgow work programme and ACE Action Plan is essential for effective engagement.
Documentation:
- Discussions will be captured by the note-takers
- A facilitator will be designated per group to moderate discussions and record key insights using the template provided
- The facilitator will develop revised and consolidated versions of the proposed activities based on group discussions
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12:55 - 13:00
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Announcement of the break
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Break
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15:00 – 15:05
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Introduction to Afternoon Activities
Presentation of the objectives and structure of the afternoon session.
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15:05 – 16:00
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Possible new activities: Group work (Session II)
Objective: Collective reflection on potential new elements for a future action plan under the Glasgow work programme on ACE with the aim of developing an improved understanding of what constitutes an effective, impactful, and implementable activity and deliverable.
Format: World Café (4 stations, 1 rotation – 45 minutes)
Focus: Each station will address a priority area.
Guiding Questions:
- Based on the potential new activities presented, are there any gaps or missing elements? What should be added or strengthened?
- What are the intended outcomes of the proposed activities, and which deliverables would best support their achievement?
Participant Preparation: Familiarity with the Glasgow work programme and ACE Action Plan is essential for effective engagement.
Documentation:
- Discussions will be captured by the note-takers
- A facilitator will be designated per group to moderate discussions and record key insights using the template provided
- The facilitator will develop revised and consolidated versions of the proposed activities based on group discussions
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16:00 - 16:45
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Possible new activities: Group work (Session III)
Groups collectively review and consolidate inputs received during the morning discussions and develop refined versions of the proposed new activities
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16:45 - 17:30
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Report Back to Plenary
Facilitators present the outcome of the group discussions
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17:30 - 18:00
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Closing of the ACE Dialogue and technical workshop
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