By Olamide Martins
Published by Blacktalker
The 62nd session of the United Nations climate talks, SB62, which concluded in Bonn, Germany, on June 26, ended without the decisive outcomes needed to address the global climate crisis.
Over 5,000 delegates from around the world gathered for the talks, but little progress was made on critical issues such as climate finance, the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), and implementation strategies ahead of COP30 scheduled for November 2025 in Belém, Brazil.
Hosted by the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA), the meeting was intended to bridge the gap between science and diplomacy.
However, observers noted that the pace of negotiations remained slow, heavily politicised, and disconnected from the urgency of the crisis.
The GGA featured prominently during the session amid worsening climate impacts, including food insecurity and climate-induced displacement. Discussions also touched on the loss and damage fund, technology transfer, and the tracking of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), but with little headway made, particularly on climate finance.
Delegates expressed frustration that wealthy nations appeared more focused on military spending than meeting their climate pledges, with the $1.3 trillion finance commitment from COP29 in Baku yet to be realised.
Critics also raised concerns about a growing reliance on unproven solutions such as Net Zero targets and geoengineering, which some view as distractions from more reliable and inclusive climate actions. Delegates from the Global South pushed for flexible support and more robust stocktaking mechanisms to assess global progress, calls that were largely dismissed by negotiators from developed nations.
Climate justice advocate Kwami Kpondzo of Togo, a member of the Make Big Polluters Pay (MBPP) coalition, said the session offered little hope for meaningful change.
“SB62 was more of the same, with parties showing little willingness for meaningful discussions,” he said. “The plenary agenda was blocked for almost two days. No significant progress was made on Articles 6.2 and 6.4 of the Paris Agreement.”
Ndivile Mokoena, also of MBPP and based in South Africa, urged negotiators to reflect the lived realities of marginalised communities. She called for the use of disaggregated data and more deliberate inclusion of women, youth, and indigenous peoples in climate negotiations.
The absence of the United States at the session sparked mixed reactions. While their no-show created a void in the negotiations, it also provided space for countries like China and key European nations to play more prominent roles.
Observers believe it presents an opportunity for the Africa Group of Negotiators (AGN) to assert greater leadership and push for climate solutions grounded in regional expertise.
With COP30 drawing near, expectations are mounting for renewed global commitment. Advocates warn that continuing with empty promises and inaction will only worsen the crisis for vulnerable communities already facing the brunt of climate change.
For many, the path forward must prioritise people over profit, with a clear focus on urgent, inclusive, and locally driven climate action.
About Olamide
Olamide Martins Ogunlade is the Associate Director, Climate Change at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).