United Arab Emirates Just Transition Work Programme

This site offers an overview about UAE Just Transition Work Programme.

**Latest News**

Paragraph 24 of decision 2/CMA.7 requested the secretariat to prepare a synthesis report on the mapping of relevant instruments, initiatives and processes under the Convention and the Paris Agreement and relevant entities in the United Nations system.

As an intermediate step towards delivering on this mandate, the secretariat has prepared an initial interim output that can be accessed here.

 

The fifth dialogue under the United Arab Emirates just transition work programme  took place in Yeosu, Republic of Korea, from 24 to 25 April 2026, in a hybrid format.  The dialogue focused on: Just transition pathways for holistic approaches to food security, including with a focus on agriculture and oceans, in the context of element c) paragraph 2 of decision 3/CMA.5.

The agenda and concept note can be found here.

Further information on the fifth dialogue, including the informal summary, is made available on the relevant event page.

 

The 2025 Annual summary report on the dialogues is now published and can be found here.

The Third Annual High-Level Ministerial Round Table on Just Transition took place in Belém, Brazil on 18 November 2025, from 13:00-17:00 (BRT/UTC-3). The Concept Note of the event can be found here. More information can be found on the event page here.

 

Background information

The just transition work programme was established at CMA 4 (decision 1/CMA.4, para. 52) and was operationalised as the United Arab Emirates just transition work programme at CMA 5 (decision 3/CMA.5). Its implementation started immediately after CMA 5.

Objective

The objective of the work programme is the discussion of pathways to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement outlined in Article 2, paragraph 1, in the context of Article 2, paragraph 2 (decision 3/CMA.5, para. 1).

Elements of the work programme

Decision 3/CMA.5, paragraph 2, provides that the work programme includes the following elements:

(a) just transition pathways to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement outlined in Article 2, paragraph 1, in the context of Article 2, paragraph 2;

(b) just and equitable transition, which encompasses pathways that include energy, socioeconomic, workforce and other dimensions, all of which must be based on nationally defined development priorities and include social protection so as to mitigate potential impacts associated with the transition;

(c) opportunities, challenges and barriers relating to sustainable development and poverty eradication as part of transitions globally to low emissions and climate resilience, taking into account nationally defined development priorities;

(d) approaches to enhancing adaptation and climate resilience at the national and international level;

(e) just transition of the workforce and the creation of decent work and quality jobs in accordance with nationally defined development priorities, including through social dialogue, social protection and the recognition of labour rights;

(f) inclusive and participatory approaches to just transitions that leave no one behind;

(g) international cooperation as an enabler of just transition pathways towards achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.

How the work programme operates

The work programme is implemented under the guidance of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) through a joint contact group convened at each of their sessions, starting at their sixtieth sessions (June 2024) (decision 3/CMA.5, para. 4). At least two dialogues are held each year, one prior to the first regular sessions of the subsidiary bodies and one prior to the second, conducted in hybrid format to allow both in-person and virtual participation (decision 3/CMA.5, para. 5). Parties, observers and other non-Party stakeholders are invited to submit views on the work to be undertaken and on possible topics for the dialogues by 15 February each year (decision 3/CMA.5, para. 6), and to submit views relevant to the dialogue topics no later than four weeks before each dialogue (para. 8). The Chairs of the subsidiary bodies, with the assistance of the secretariat, prepare an annual summary report on the dialogues (decision 3/CMA.5, para. 10).

Decision 3/CMA.5, paragraph 3, also provides that the effectiveness and efficiency of the work programme will be reviewed, and its continuation considered, at CMA 8 (November 2026).

Outcomes at CMA 7

CMA 7 resulted in a landmark decision on the United Arab Emirates just transition work programme (decision 2/CMA.7) which reflected advancements in the implementation of the work programme and further anchored just transition considerations within the institutional framework of the Paris Agreement.

A just transition mechanism

At CMA 7 Parties also decided to develop a just transition mechanism, the purpose of which is to enhance international cooperation, technical assistance, capacity-building and knowledge-sharing, and to enable equitable, inclusive just transitions, noting that the mechanism is to be implemented in a manner that builds on and complements relevant workstreams under the Convention and the Paris Agreement, including the work programme (decision 2/CMA.7 para. 25). The subsidiary bodies were requested, at their sixty-fourth sessions (June 2026), to recommend a draft decision on the process for its operationalization for consideration at CMA 8 (November 2026) (decision 2/CMA.7 para. 25). Parties and non-Party stakeholders are invited to submit views on that process by 15 March 2026 (para. 26).

2026 United Arab Emirates just transition work programme review and next steps

To support implementation of the work programme and as input to the review, CMA 7 requested the secretariat to map relevant instruments, initiatives and processes under the Convention and the Paris Agreement and relevant entities in the United Nations system, and to prepare a synthesis report thereon (decision 2/CMA.7 para. 24).

The subsidiary bodies were also requested to develop the terms of reference for the review at their sixty-fourth sessions (decision 2/CMA.7 para. 27), and to consider, inter alia, ways to improve existing modalities, without prejudice to the outcome of the consideration of the continuation of the work programme (decision 2/CMA.7 para. 28). The review of the effectiveness and efficiency of the work programme, and consideration of its continuation, will take place at CMA 8 in November 2026 (decision 3/CMA.5, para. 3).

Dialogues-and-other-events

The Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement, decided in Decision 3/CMA.5 that at least two dialogues shall be held each year as part of the work programme, with one to be held prior to the first regular sessions of the subsidiary bodies, starting with their sixtieth sessions (June 2024), and one prior to the second regular sessions of the subsidiary bodies, starting with their sixty-first sessions (November 2024), and that such dialogues should be conducted in hybrid format to allow both in-person and virtual participation. 

The 2025 Annual summary report by the Chairs of the subsidiary bodies on Dialogues under the United Arab Emirates just transition work programme has been published: HERE.

 

First Dialogue under the United Arab Emirates just transition work programme

The first dialogue took place in Bonn, Germany from 2 - 3 June 2024 in a hybrid format. Two half-day sessions occurred on 2 June 2024 from 13:00 to 17:00 and 3 June 08:00 to 12:00.  

The Chairs of the subsidiary bodies invited Parties, observers and other non-Party stakeholders to submit views on work to be undertaken under, as well as possible topics for the dialogues under, the work programme via the submission portal by 15 February 2024, and in taking into considerations these submissions decided on the following topic to be discussed at the first dialogue: Just Transition pathways to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement through NDCs, NAPs and LT-LEDs

The presentations shared at the First Dialogue and webcast recordings of the sessions are now available on the Event Page.

The Informal Summary of the First Dialogue is available: HERE

 

Second Dialogue under the United Arab Emirates just transition work programme

The Second Dialogue under the United Arab Emirates Just Transition Work Programme took place in in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt from 02 – 03 October 2024 in a hybrid format. 

The Chairs of the subsidiary bodies taking into consideration the submissions from Parties, observers and other non-Party stakeholders, and in deciding on the topic for the second dialogue in a transparent and consultative manner, considering as invited by SB 60 the outcomes of the first hybrid dialogue and the inputs provided by Parties during the joint contact group on the work programme in the light of the elements contained in paragraph 2 of decision 3/CMA.5, decided on the following topic to be discussed at the second dialogue: Ensuring support for people-centric and equitable just transition pathways with a focus on the whole-of-society approach and the workforce

The specific areas of focus were:

1. Approaches for empowering all actors and segments of the society for a fair and inclusive workforce transition to meet Paris Agreement goals;

2. Unpacking the full range of means of implementation (Finance, Technology and Capacity Building) for a just transition of the work force: exploring current approaches, opportunities and gaps; and

3. International cooperation and partnerships for people-centric and equitable just transitions.


The presentations shared at the Second Dialogue and webcast recordings of the sessions are now available on the Event Page.

The Informal Summary of the Second Dialogue is available: HERE

 

Third Dialogue under the United Arab Emirates just transition work programme

The third dialogue under the United Arab Emirates Just Transition Work Programme took place in Panama City, Panama at the Megalopolis Convention Center from 22 to 23 May 2025, in a hybrid format.  It was convened as part of Climate Week-1 2025: Dialogues for Ambition and Implementation on 19 to 23 May 2025.

The Chairs of the subsidiary bodies taking into consideration the submissions from Parties, observers and other non-Party stakeholders on work to be undertaken and topics for the dialogues under the work programme in 2025, as well as views expressed during informal virtual consultations convened by the Chairs of the subsidiary bodies on 20 March 2025, decided on the following topic for discussion at the third dialogue: Approaches to enhancing adaptation and climate resilience in the context of just transitions

Further information about the event will be made available on the Event Page.

The Informal Summary of the Third Dialogue is available: HERE.

 

Fourth Dialogue under the United Arab Emirates just transition work programme

The fourth dialogue under the United Arab Emirates just transition work programme took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at the Addis International Convention Center from 1 to 2 September 2025, in a hybrid format.  It was convened as part of Climate Week-2 2025: Dialogues for Ambition and Implementation being held on 1 to 6 September 2025.

The Chairs of the subsidiary bodies, taking into consideration views expressed during informal virtual consultations convened by the Chairs of the subsidiary bodies on 10 July 2025, decided and communicated to Parties and observer organisations on 24 July 2025 that the fourth dialogue will focus on: Just energy transition pathways and holistic approaches to just transitions including socioeconomic, workforce, social protection and other dimensions, based on nationally defined development priorities

Further information about the fourth dialogue is available on its Event Page.

The Informal Summary of The Fourth Dialogue is available: HERE.

 

Fifth Dialogue under the United Arab Emirates just transition work programme

The fifth dialogue under the United Arab Emirates just transition work programme took place in Yeosu, Republic of Korea from 24 to 25 April 2026, in a hybrid format. It was convened as part of Climate Week-3 2026 being held on 21 to 25 April 2026.

The Chairs of the subsidiary bodies, taking into consideration views expressed during informal virtual consultations convened by the Chairs of the subsidiary bodies on 10 July 2025, decided and communicated to Parties and observer organizations on 24 April 2026 that the fifth dialogue will focus on: Just transition pathways for holistic approaches to food security, including with a focus on agriculture and oceans, in the context of element c) paragraph 2 of decision 3/CMA.5

Further information about the fourth dialogue is available on its Event Page.

The Informal Summary of the Fifth Dialogue is available: HERE.

Annual-High-level-Ministerial-round-table-on-just-transition

Background Information

The Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA) at its fourth session decided to convene, as part of the work programme on just transition for discussion of pathways to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement, an annual high-level ministerial round table on just transition, beginning at CMA 5. (Decision 1/CMA.4, para 53)

 

The Third Annual High-Level Ministerial Round Table on Just Transition took place in Belém, Brazil on 18 November 2025, from 13:00-17:00 (BRT/UTC-3)

The summary of the event can be found: HERE.

The webcast recordings and more information can be found on the event page: HERE.

 

The Second Annual High-Level Ministerial Round Table on Just Transition took place in Baku, Azerbaijan on 18 November 2024

The summary of the event can be found: HERE.

The webcast recordings and more information can be found on the event page: HERE.

 

The First Annual High-Level Ministerial Round Table on Just Transition took place on 3 December 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

It provided a platform for high-level discussions on the pathways to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement as outlined in Article 2, paragraph 1, in the context of Article 2, paragraph 2. The aim of the round table was to facilitate a focused exchange of views, information and ideas among participants with the goal of providing direction to and recommendations for the work programme on just transition pathways. The round table was attended by over 90 high-level representatives of Parties, including ministers, deputy ministers, climate envoys, heads of delegation and representatives of observer constituencies. It was co-chaired by Roselinda Soipan Tuya, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry of Kenya, and Eamon Ryan, Minister for Transport, Climate, Environment and Communications of Ireland.

The summary of the event can be found: HERE

The webcast recordings and more information can be found on the event page: HERE.