Zeynep Aziz
ADDIS ABABA, October 18, 2026 — A meeting of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was suspended without agreement on when the organisation should publish its next major assessment of climate science.
The talks in Ethiopia brought together representatives of the panel’s 195 member governments. Agreeing on a timetable was a central objective, but delegates left without resolving differences over the schedule and the resources needed to complete the work.
The impasse has lasted nearly three years and raises concerns about whether the assessment will be ready in time to inform key international climate decisions. Governments rely on IPCC reports to evaluate the scientific evidence and shape policies on emissions, adaptation and climate-related risks.
Disagreement has centred in part on how much time scientists need to prepare a comprehensive report and how to ensure that researchers from countries with fewer resources can participate meaningfully. Some delegations have argued for a faster timetable, while others have called for more time and support.
Representatives of least-developed countries and small island states were among those affected when the meeting ran beyond its planned duration. Their participation matters because these countries often face severe climate impacts while having fewer financial and technical resources to respond.
The delay could complicate preparations for the 2028 UN climate talks, when countries are expected to assess progress toward the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement. A shared scientific assessment can help governments compare national efforts and understand the remaining gap between current policies and climate objectives.
The IPCC has said discussions on the report’s timeline and budget remain open and are expected to resume. The challenge is to agree on a realistic schedule without compromising scientific quality, broad participation or the usefulness of the findings for policymakers.
