In accordance with its Memorandum of Understanding5, GCOS prepares regular reports on the status of the global climate observing system followed by implementation plans that address issues and gaps, and new developments and user needs. These reports are 6 submitted to the WMO and UNFCCC Subsidiary Body on Science and Technology (SBSTA) . In the 2016 GCOS Implementation Plan7, endorsed by the WMO8 and UNFCCC9, the review and updating of ECV requirements is addressed by actions G10-13. Chapter 2 outlines the general process.

The GEO for Cities Advisory Committee, co-chairs and author teams met in Abu Dhabi for a writer’s sprint to work towards producing the first-order draft of the four main chapters of the report.

Meeting objectives:
1. Review the overall status of the chapters and obtain feedback from the Advisory Committee; 2. Address all comments received from the Advisory Committee’s internal review; 3. Move the chapters towards their first-order draft stage and prepare for the peer review;
4. Discuss future communication and outreach opportunities; 5. Discuss strategy for collaboration and partnerships among the advisory committee organizations and UNEP/UN Habitat, considering the networks of each (SDG 17); 6. Define next steps as we head towards the peer review.