At a joint session during the two-day informal meeting in Valladolid, Spain, EU Environment and Energy Ministers discussed expectations for the outcome of the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), which will be held in Dubai at the end of 2023.

Bulgaria shares the opinion that it is important to ensure a balance between the main issues negotiated, preventing the financial aspect of the negotiations from being elevated to an absolute priority at the expense of other fundamental issues, such as mitigation, adaptation, global review of the progress. With regard to the financial arrangements, our country believes that financial assistance should target with priority countries and communities that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, including the least developed countries and small island states. 

The upcoming COP29 conference in 2024 was also discussed during the meeting. Minister Julian Popov confirmed that Bulgaria’s candidacy as a host stands, despite the stalled process and the impossibility at this stage to take a decision on the host state: “For Bulgaria, it is important to hold COP in Eastern Europe, whereby our country is positioning as a voice and driving force in respect to the interests and priorities in the region,” highlighted Popov.

The final decision on the lost for COP29 will be taken at COP28 in Dubai the latest.