Delegates from 42 UNECE countries met in Geneva on 18–20 May for the 64th session of the Working Group on Strategies and Review, continuing negotiations on the revision of the Gothenburg Protocol.
Discussions focused on strengthening the Protocol, closing regulatory gaps and encouraging broader participation, particularly from Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
Among the main outcomes was the review of updated guidance on emission control techniques for mobile sources, including road vehicles, non-road machinery, inland watercraft and aircraft. The revised guidance distinguishes between measures for new, existing and future fleets, allowing countries to choose technologies that best suit their economic, environmental and technical circumstances.
The Working Group also considered updated guidance on reducing ammonia emissions from agriculture, an important source of eutrophication, soil acidification and fine particulate matter.
Black carbon also received increased attention during the meeting. Canada proposed establishing a collective goal for black carbon reduction, and many parties expressed support for reporting black carbon emissions and introducing some type of common goal, commitment or target under the Protocol.
The outcomes of the meeting will feed into the ongoing revision of the Gothenburg Protocol and inform discussions at the 46th session of the Executive Body in December 2026.
