• Sofia will welcome more than 500 delegates from 150 countries from 27 July to 2 August for the plenary session of the most influential international scientific organisation in the field of climate change.
• The MoEW is also coordinating a satellite programme with a series of events to draw the attention of the public and scientists, municipalities, businesses to climate issues in Bulgaria and the Black Sea region

Bulgaria declared its intention to host this prestigious meeting during the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), held last year in Dubai, UAE. Bulgaria's hosting of the 61st session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a great success of our climate diplomacy and is the result of a demonstration of high-level political will and recognition of the important role of climate science in climate policy-making and the good conditions presented for the plenary session to be held in Sofia from 27 July to 2 August 2024.

"This will be the largest climate science event ever held in Bulgaria and it presents a chance for our country to showcase the achievements of Bulgarian climate science. Bulgaria has a unique variety of natural resources and climate conditions. This gives our scientists the opportunity to continuously conduct analyses and developments, the conclusions and data from which should have their place in international climate decision-making," said Environment and Water Minister Petar Dimitrov.

The IPCC is the scientific panel responsible for systematizing, analyzing, and communicating scientific information related to the state of the planet's climate and the measures needed to adapt to the changes that are occurring. The Panel's regular reports serve as the scientific basis for government decisions about climate policy planning and implementation.

The IPCC plenary session in Sofia is expected to bring together more than 500 delegates from 150 countries. The IPCC will discuss and approve the structure of two reports that have been decided to be produced - the Special Report on Climate Change and Cities and the Short-Term Climate Forcers Report.

In order to maximize the impact of Bulgaria's hosting of the 61st IPCC Session, the Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW), in collaboration with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia Municipality, the European Commission, a number of local and international NGOs and climate and environmental initiatives, is organizing a series of events across Sofia to draw the attention of the public and key stakeholder groups to climate issues in Bulgaria and the Black Sea region, including the importance of climate for urban development.

As part of this satellite program, on 25 and 26 July the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Sofia Municipality will host a scientific conference on "Climate Risks in the Black Sea Region". Internationally renowned scientists from Bulgaria and the region will discuss topics such as: the climatic characteristics and changes of the Black Sea basin and their consequences; the Black Sea and the world ocean - sea level rise, salinity change and other changes; the Black Sea and the rivers flowing into it. The conference will conclude with a round table discussion where the scientific findings presented by the scientists are expected to become the basis for shaping policy decisions for the development of the region, including at the level of local government.

A conference on "Climate Policies as an Opportunity for Investment in Urban Development" will bring together in Sofia mayors of dozens of municipalities from across the country together with the organizers from the Ministry of Environment and Water, the Ministry of Energy in partnership with the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria (NAMRB), EnEffect, the European Covenant of Mayors and with the participation of representatives of the IPCC and the European Commission.

At the end of July, a thematic forum "CLIMATE FINANCE AT SCALE / Increasing funding for combatting climate change" will be held at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of Sofia University with the participation of representatives of the IPCC, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economy, the Bulgarian National Bank, the European Investment Bank, the Bulgarian Development Bank, the Bulgarian Investment Agency, the Association of Banks, the Bulgarian Stock Exchange, banks, insurance companies, and investment funds. The event aims to start a dialogue between Bulgarian and international financial institutions on how to provide affordable and accessible financing to achieve carbon reduction measures in every sector of the economy; to restore nature and better protect people from the increasingly severe impacts of climate change; how financial institutions can support a just green transition and how to support a nature-friendly and people-friendly economy.

On July 31, Sofia Municipality and the Ministry of Environment and Water will host an event on urban rivers at the Toplocentrala to discuss the need to change the urban design of cities through which rivers flow, so that it meets modern opportunities to increase the quality of life of residents through ecological restoration of urban rivers.

The satellite programme for the 61st session of the IPCC in Bulgaria includes a discussion event on what climate science advice is around the world and why it is important for Bulgaria to have a strong and independent climate advisory body. Representatives of the IPCC will also spend time presenting to a scientific audience the requirements and steps for Bulgarian scientists to join the IPCC panel.

What is Bulgaria's contribution to the development of technologies to achieve net zero emissions will be the topic of another event organized by Net 0 Lab and the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of Sofia University.

Within the framework of Sofia's hosting of the IPCC session, the National Palace of Culture will be illuminated by 3D Mapping on a climate theme, events for children and youth, art seminars and workshops at the National Academy of Arts summer school, various cultural and artistic events with the support of Sofia Municipality will be held.

Information on all activities related to the IPCC session will be posted at https://www.moew.government.bg/bg/klimat/ipcc/