site.btaSofia to Welcome over 500 Delegates from 150 Countries for 61st Session of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Bulgaria will host the 61st session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Sofia will welcome more than 500 delegates from 150 countries between July 26 and August 2 for the plenary session of the most influential international scientific organisation in the field of climate change, the Ministry of Environment and Water said here on Friday. The Environment Ministry explained that it 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.

"This will be the largest climate science event ever held in Bulgaria and is a chance for our country to showcase the achievements of Bulgarian climate science. Bulgaria has a unique diversity of natural features and climate. This gives our scientists the opportunity to continuously conduct analyses and research, the conclusions and data from which should find a place in international climate decision-making," said caretaker Minister of Environment and Water Petar Dimitrov.

Bulgaria declared its intention to host this prestigious meeting during the 28th session of the UN Climate Change Conference, held last year in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Ministry of Environment and Water pointed out that Bulgaria's hosting of the 61st session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is a great success of this country's climate diplomacy and is the result of demonstrated high-level political will and recognition of the important role of climate science in shaping climate policies.

The Ministry explained that 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 emerging changes. The Panel's regular reports serve as the scientific basis on which countries make decisions about climate policy planning and implementation.

In the framework of the satellite programme, on July 25 and 26, 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 local government level, the Ministry said.