IPCC Opened 65th Plenary Session in Ethiopia
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change met in Addis Ababa to review timelines for its Seventh Assessment Report.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Environmental
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The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) opened its 65th Plenary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to address critical scheduling and funding for its upcoming climate reports. The assembly will finalize timelines for Seventh Assessment Report contributions and evaluate the role of artificial intelligence in scientific assessments.
Why it matters
The Panel must secure additional government funding as current voluntary contributions cover only one-third of the 2026 budget, while simultaneously providing clarity on volunteer author commitments for ongoing reports.
The 65th session addresses the global work of 1,000 volunteer authors. The Panel is refining methodology reports on short-lived climate forces and carbon dioxide removal for publication in late 2027.
The players
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
This is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change.
Annett Moehner
She is the incoming Secretary of the IPCC who will officially begin her tenure on November 1, 2026.
The details
The Bureau has established an Informal Group on Artificial Intelligence to study how machine learning can enhance climate assessment processes. Additionally, the Panel is working to ensure the Special Report on Climate Change and Cities remains on track for approval within the next six months.
Timeline
Working Group III held its second lead author meeting in September 2026.
The Working Group I draft expert review concluded in October 2026.
The IPCC 65th Plenary Session opened in Addis Ababa on October 12, 2026.
Annett Moehner begins her term as IPCC Secretary on November 1, 2026.
The IPCC will participate in the 32nd COP in November 2027.
Deeper Dive
The Addis Ababa meeting functions as an administrative cornerstone for the delivery of the IPCC Seventh Assessment Report. By formalizing these timelines, the Panel shifts the focus from initial drafting to final peer review and synthesis for the global climate community.
The refinement of methodology reports regarding carbon dioxide removal could eventually lead to standardized global benchmarks for industrial emissions technologies. These procedural updates ensure that climate policy remains grounded in the most recent scientific consensus provided to world leaders.
The takeaway
The IPCC is currently managing the complex administrative challenge of aligning international funding with the rigorous timelines required for global climate assessment. By integrating AI and stabilizing volunteer workloads, the organization aims to maintain the integrity of its upcoming climate reports.
What happens next
Annett Moehner will assume her role as IPCC Secretary on November 1, 2026. The IPCC is also scheduled to participate in the 32nd COP in Addis Ababa in November 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about ongoing climate studies on the Environmental section page.
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