Meeting Framework

I. Agenda

The following agenda has been prepared for the Meeting of Experts, in accordance with Decision 1 (2009):

  1. Election of Officers
  2. Adoption of the Agenda
  3. Topic i: Key scientific aspects of climate change
  4. Topic ii: Key consequences of such change to the Antarctic marine and terrestrial environment
  5. Topic iii: Implication of such consequences to management of Antarctic activities
  6. Topic iv: The need for monitoring, scenario planning and risk assessment
  7. Topic v: Outcomes of the Copenhagen negotiations relevant for the Antarctic
  8. Topic vi: The need for further consideration of any issues and manners in which this can be achieved
  9. Proposals and report for ATCM XXXIII

Further consideration of the topics in pt. 3-8 is given in pt. IV below.

II. Meeting Organization

The following framework is suggested for the meeting. For further details, see the program.

Day 1

  1. Setting the stage - key note presentation covering the following themes:
    • Antarctica and global climate negotiations
    • Observed and expected climate changes
    • Implications of climate change for management
  1. Presentation of submitted documents on Topic (i, ii), iii, iv, v and vi (and room for clarifying questions)

Day 2

  1. Statements and general observations from delegations/experts in plenary
  2. Discussions in 2 working groups, covering topics as described below.

Day 3

  1. Discussions in 2 working groups, covering topics as described below.
  2. Final discussions in plenary drawing conclusions based on the plenary discussions and the reports from the working groups.
  3. Discussion in plenary on outcomes of the Copenhagen negotiations relevant for the Antarctic and Antarctica’s relevance for international climate negotiations
  4. Review of Chairman’s report
  5. Closing of the meeting

 

III. Working Groups

It is suggested that the meeting should split into two groups during part of day 2 and part of day 3 to facilitate discussions. To maintain focus on interrelated topics it is also suggested that the groups address management issues along the following topics.

Working Group I

Nature conservation/protection (species, alien species, protected areas, pollution, ecosystem management, etc.):

  • Management issues related to climate change
  • The need for monitoring, scenario planning and risk assessment
  • The need for further consideration of any these issues and manners in which this can be achieved

Working Group II

Human activity (research: implementation, research needs, etc.; tourism: access, safety, impacts, etc.; transport and infrastructure: ship operations, air operations, land transportation, stations, etc.):

  • Management issues related to climate change
  • The need for monitoring, scenario planning and risk assessment
  • The need for further consideration of any these issues and manners in which this can be achieved

IV. Annotated Agenda

To assist delegations/experts in preparing for the meeting we will in the months to come set out some key issues under each agenda item in an annotated agenda. We will also make and make available an overview of relevant background papers.