Global Forum on Sustainable Development: Development and Climate Change, Paris, 11-12 November 2004

Senior officials from 35 national environmental, development and foreign affairs ministries, the European Commission, eleven intergovernmental organisations, as well as several non-governmental organisations and academic institutions gathered in Paris, France, on 11 and 12 November 2004 at the "OECD Global Forum on Sustainable Development – Development and Climate Change".

Objectives and Outcomes

The Forum was jointly organised by the OECD’s Environment and Development Co-operation Directorates. The objective was to bring the climate and development communities together to discuss key issues relating to "mainstreaming" responses to climate change by building them into routine economic development planning policies. The main focus was on mainstreaming adaptation to climate change within developing countries, within donor portfolios on development assistance, and within OECD domestic contexts.

Several country case studies exposed at the meeting revealed the importance of mainstreaming adaptation in mountain and high latitude systems, islands and coastal systems, as well as in development infrastructure, agriculture, rural development and forestry projects. Representatives of donor agencies shared their experiences in mainstreaming climate responses in development assistance and discussed further steps to be taken.

The Conclusions of the Chair are now available.

More information on the Global Forum on Development and Climate Change:

• Final Agenda and Presentations
• Background Papers
• List of Participants
• OECD Observer: Climate Change - A Development Challenge