3 - 4 June 2015, Brussels, Belgium

Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) are an essential element of the process leading up to the UNFCCC COP21 in Paris in December, when countries are due to agree a new international climate deal. INDCs are challenging to prepare and they raise difficult policy and political issues for countries. At European Development Days 2015, CDKN will join with the European Think Tanks Project, Overseas Development Institute, IDDRI and the European Commissions’ DG Clima to hold a strategic, high-level panel debate to discuss these issues.

Climate change requires an urgent global response and the European Union (EU) is a major global player in addressing this challenge. In leading the debate at European Development Days it will tackle the issue head-on with developing country partners. The event will present a major opportunity to influence climate and development leaders within Europe, with a number of progressive African leaders on climate compatible development also in attendance to bring their country perspectives to the debate.

In light of the urgency of tackling the climate change challenge, those attending - decision makers, practitioners, the media, and private and public sector representatives - should be made aware of the current state of play in the run-up to the Paris agreement so as to harness their support of robust INDCs and an ambitious climate deal.

The panelists will provide a broad range of perspectives; developing country and EU representatives will present their INDCs, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will share some insights into the challenges and opportunities to reaching an ambitious deal, independent research from a group of think tanks will provide evidence and challenges based on their analysis of these issues and a youth leader will share her vision on her desired outcome for the Paris conference.

The auditorium session will tackle questions such as: How can INDCs help us achieve an ambitious and effective global climate agreement? Will countries submit contributions that are considered to be fair and equitable? The proposed panel will address the lessons learned from the INDC process so far and discuss how we can ensure that INDCs will be an effective policy instrument to facilitate a substantive Paris agreement.

Confirmed speakers at European Development Days

Chairman: Simon Maxwell, CDKN Executive Chair

Panel:

• H.E. Mr. Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan
• H.E. Mr. Belete Tafere Desta, Minister of Environment and Forestry, Ethiopia
• H.E. Mr. Pa Ousman Jarju, Minister of Environment, The Gambia
• H.E. Prof Judi Wakhungu, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Kenya
• Jos Delbeke, Director-General, DG Climate Action, European Commission
• Anne-Marie Descôtes, Director General of Global Affairs, Development and Partnerships, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France
• Teresa Ribera, Director of IDDRI
• Carmen Monges, Youth speaker, Paraguay