Glossary

Network of NGOs/civil society organization present at a CBD negotiation, with a daily coordination meeting in the NGO room

As in closed to the media. Closed sessions are open to observers, and they can speak on the disgression of the Chair. Taking photos, filming and recording is strictly forbidden. As exception, taking photos of the text on the screen for using it during a contact group meeting, is often allowed.

This is where the real work happens. Draft decisions with brackets are discussed in one or several session of a contact group. The chair of the Working group appoints two Co-Chairs for this, and defines the mandate (i.e. what the contact group should or shouldn't discuss. No translation, no photos, no filming, no recording

Conference Room Paper. Draft decision are submitted to the Working Group as a CRP once they are (nearly) ready. Once they are approved in a Working group, then they go as an L paper to the Plenary

Daily NGO newsletter by the CBD Alliance. In general, it is not allowed to hand out flyers etc, but there is an exception fon handing out the ECO outside the Plenary, Working groups or contact group (depending on the schedule) in the half hour or so before the session starts.

An smaller group then the Contact Group, for which a Chair or Co-Chair can appoint specific countries or leave it open to all. Observers might or might not be allowed to be present

A few countries that are tasked with solving an issue amongst each other. They might need to meet between other sessions or even during an ongoing session. Also called a huddle if it happens during a session and on the side of a meeting room.

The highest body of the COP where the meeting is opened, and where the final adoption of decisions take place. Observer statements are often restricted to the major groups (such as CBD Alliance or GYBN), rather then individual organisations

Working group 1 and 2 each deal with about half of the decisions, and once the decisions are approved (as CRP papers) then they are passed on the plenary for the adoption by the COP or MOPs. WG1 and 2 take place in the big halls and have translation