The 2026 Bonn Climate Change Conference ended with limited progress on several key negotiation tracks, highlighting persistent divisions between developed and developing countries over climate fi nance, adaptation, and implementation ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Trkiye.
Held under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the meetings of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and the Subsidiary Body for Scientifi c and Technological Advice (SBSTA) were expected to advance decisions made at COP30 in Belém.
However, negotiators failed to agree on common negotiating texts for several major agenda items, leaving many issues unresolved for discussion at COP31.
According to the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB), negotiations proved particularly diffi cult on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), the Mitigation Work Program (MWP), the transition of the Adaptation Fund to exclusively serve the Paris Agreement, Just Transition, and research and systematic observation.
Big differences over climate fi nance and implementation continued to slow progress throughout the two-week conference.
One of the few notable achievements was the agreement to allow the UN Environment Program (UNEP) to continue hosting the Climate Technology Centre (CTC).
The decision ensures that developing countries will continue receiving technical assistance and technology support for climate action through 2027.
Delegates also adopted the terms of reference for reviewing the Just Transition Work Program, agreed on future work to strengthen coordination between the Technology Mechanism and the Financial Mechanism, and completed several review processes related to capacity building under the UN climate framework.
The conference took place against a challenging global backdrop marked by heightened geopolitical tensions, including disruptions to global energy markets following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which highlighted the energy security risks associated with continued dependence on fossil fuels.
At the same time, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned that a stronger El Niño event could intensify droughts, floods, heatwaves, and other extreme weather events, while global temperatures are expected to remain at or near record levels over the next fi ve years.
Observers said the Bonn outcome reflected growing frustration over the slow pace of climate negotiations and the widening gap between climate commitments and implementation.
The limited progress means many of the most politically sensitive issues- including adaptation fi nance, emissions reduction, and support for vulnerable countries-will now be carried over to COP31, where governments will face increasing pressure to deliver concrete decisions and restore confi dence in the multilateral climate process