The main purpose of a conference of the parties (COP) is to bring together members of an international treaty to review and update the treaty’s implementation. The term is primarily associated with the main decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a treaty that focuses on climate change and requires member states to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) responsible for global warming.
What is the main purpose of a conference of the parties (COP)?
How often are COP meetings on climate held, and where do they take place?
COP meetings are typically held annually at different locations around the world, with the host country rotating among the five UN regional groups (that is, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, central and eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and western Europe and other states—the latter of which includes the United States, Canada, and Australia). The COP presidency is usually held by the host country, and it is responsible for leading negotiations and representing the collective voice of all parties.
