ecbi convened a regional workshop for negotiators from the Caribbean region from 18-20 March in Tobago. The workshop, which was attended by 16 negotiators from 10 countries, covered key issues of importance to the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) in the multilateral climate change negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Kishan Kumarsingh, Lead Climate Negotiator for Trinidad and Tobago and Head, ecbi Fellowship and Training Programme (FTP), said the goal of the workshop is to provide trainees with a firm grounding on the fundamentals of the UNFCCC negotiations, and an opportunity to apply the lessons practically during mock negotiation sessions on the last day.

The various sessions focused on:

• the science of climate change;
• the geopolitics of climate change, a background on the UNFCCC process, and key milestones;
• international law, the treaty-making process, and the legal nature of climate treaties, including compliance; and
• the governance and institutional structure of the UNFCCC'
• mitigation;
• adaptation;
• climate finance;
• loss and damage and a proposed Climate Solidarity Alliance;
• rules of procedure and decision making;
• the mechanics of negotiations; and
• the use of terminology. 

In addition to Kumarsingh, presenters included: Cheryl Jeffers, Ministry of Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, Saint Kitts and Nevis; Pascale Bird, Legal Response Initiative; Carlos Fuller, Permanent Representative of Belize to the UN; Singh Singh, Trinidad and Tobago; Janine Felson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Belize; and Benito Müller, ecbi Director.

Providing feedback on the training, participants said it was a great opportunity for novice negotiators to better understand the process before being dipped into a “pool of chaos”. One noted the training provided “an invaluable opportunity for young negotiators to gain hands-on experience before entering the complex world of negotiations”. Another appreciated the foundation-setting, from the genesis of the negotiations, and said he would recommend the workshop to his colleagues. “Understanding the origins and evolution of these processes has helped me grasp their significance. Thanks to the organizers for exceeding my expectations—I leave this workshop more knowledgeable and better prepared,” he said. A participant who had attended one COP said it was a “baptism in fire” and, noting disappointed with his performance at the COP, said the workshop and grounding in different areas of the negotiations have prepared him to perform better in future COPs. Participants also felt the workshop was intense and suggested adding an additional day to accommodate smaller breakout sessions and more time to digest learning and to prepare for the mock negotiations, as well as possibly adding a second round of mock negotiations to apply the feedback received on the first round. They appreciated the social aspects of the workshop as well, which they said was a lesson in engaging with people and bonding, and an opportunity to get to know colleagues from other countries in the region, would would also be “valuable in fostering professional relationships,” added one. one participant.

See the final summary report of the workshop here.

See photos from the event here.