Background

Technology is an essential component of a comprehensive global effort for combating climate change. Climate change has elevated the critical importance of science and technological innovation to achieve sustainable development goals. Cleaner technologies will play a key role in addressing climate change.

The international community has long emphasized the importance of technology for sustainable development. Agenda 21 has provided a blueprint for action on transfer of environmentally sound technologies.  The UN Commission on Sustainable Development since its establishment in 1993 has reviewed progress in technology cooperation as an important cross-cutting issue of means of implementation.  At its 14th and 15th session held in 2006-2007 the Commission reviewed progress in implementation, in particular with regard to the thematic cluster of energy, industry, air pollution and climate change.

The UN climate change negotiations have identified international cooperation in technology and technology transfer as key elements for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the adverse impacts of climate change.  In Article 4, paragraph 5 of the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the developed country Parties and other developed Parties included in Annex II of the Convention committed themselves to take practical steps to promote technology transfer of environmentally sound technologies.

More recently, the Bali Action Plan states that nationally appropriate mitigation actions by developing countries in the context of sustainable development will need to be “supported and enabled by technology, financing and capacity-building”.  Progress in innovation and in the development, deployment and transfer of cleaner climate-friendly technologies will be essential to combating climate change.  Adaptation, mitigation, financing and technology are the four interlinked key building blocks for a future climate agreement.

Despite the renewed efforts of the international community and the growing recognition of the importance of technology, the full potential for the development, deployment and transfer of climate friendly technologies remain to be unlocked.  In particular, international energy technology cooperation and partnerships have yet to be fully utilized to accelerate the wide-ranging win–win technology transfer for economic growth and poverty reduction and for climate change mitigation and adaptation, which ultimately will yield concrete advantages to both developing and developed countries.

Objectives and main conference topics

In order to promote international technology development and transfer, as well as the negotiation process of the “Bali Roadmap”, the Chinese Government and the United Nations are jointly organizing the Beijing High-level Conference on Climate Change: Technology Development and Technology Transfer to be held in Beijing, China, on 7-8 November 2008. 

The Conference will focus on the following four main areas: 
• the current status and development potential of energy and other climate related technologies,
• the current status and trends in technology transfer,
• barriers to technology transfer, and
• policy options and possible new mechanisms to enhance international cooperation and technology transfer to developing countries under the UNFCCC.

 The Conference will, inter alia:
• Explore the advantages of technology transfer for both developed and developing countries in combating climate change in the context of sustainable development.
• Build upon the work of the Expert Group on Technology Transfer (EGTT) and that of the Subsidiary Bodies to the UNFCCC. 
• Contribute to the global debate on the key barriers and obstacles that currently exist for the development and transferring of these technologies, and on options for new mechanisms that would enhance technology transfer to developing countries.
• Serve as a platform for launching new partnerships, activities or projects, with active participation of both public and private enterprises.
• Contribute to strengthening international technology cooperation, including joint development and technology transfer.
• Provide a timely capacity-building opportunity for decision-makers engaged in day-to-day management of technology research and development and international cooperation.

Provisional programme

The Conference will commence in the morning of 7 November 2008 with a High-level/Ministerial Segment which will be held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and is expected to be opened by the Premier of the State Council of China, H.E. Mr. Wen Jiabao.

The thematic discussions will take place at the International Hotel in the afternoon of 7 and on 8 November 2008 and address specific issues, including climate change adaptation and mitigation technologies, fostering innovation in clean climate-friendly technologies, promoting their diffusion and transfer; and fully utilizing the potential of international cooperation, including through partnerships with the private sector.  The Conference will also discuss technology transfer needs, overcoming barriers and obstacles to technology transfer and enabling environments to promote technological innovation, technology cooperation, investment and technology transfer.  The Conference will address financing gaps and identify perspective and options for expanding international technology cooperation in combating climate change in the context of sustainable development. 

As a part of the closing session the Co-Chairs will summarize the main points raised in the course of the Conference.  The outcome of the Conference will be a Chairman’s Summary for input to the 14th Conference of Parties (COP-14) of the UNFCCC in Poznan, Poland.

Participation

Participation in the Conference is by invitation only.  Invitations are issued jointly by the co-organizers.  In addition to Ministers and High-level representatives of Governments, senior business executives will be invited.  Members of civil society, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and members of academic institutions will also be represented. High-level participation is also expected from relevant international organizations. 

Proceedings

Selected background information and discussion papers will be prepared by invited international resource persons.  A number of distinguished officials and experts will be invited as guest speakers or panellists.  The proceedings of the Conference will be published as a stand-alone document and will be made available electronically on the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of the People’s Republic of China and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) websites.  Conference programme details will be announced in due course.

Languages

The languages at the Conference are English and Chinese.  Simultaneous interpretation will be provided.

Logistics

Detailed information on visa arrangements, transportation information, registration, hotel accommodation options and other travel arrangements will be provided in a separate Note for Information of Participants.

Organizing Committees

The co-organizers have established a multi-disciplinary committee to prepare the International Conference.  The Chinese Organizing Committee is chaired by H.E. Mr. XIE Zhenhua, Vice Chairman, Minister, National Development and Reform Commission, and includes Senior Officials of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Science and Technology, Finance and Environmental Protection.  The Organizing Committee at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs is headed by Under-Secretary-General Mr. SHA Zukang.