- Dochas

Dóchas Pre-COP Conference

Together for Global Climate Action

Beyond Solidarity: Rights, Resilience, Realisation

The Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM), Dublin, Ireland

Tuesday, 3 November 2026 9.00 -16.30

Participation in person

This event is recognised as an Associated Event of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026.

Context and Background

Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union at a pivotal moment for the Union’s external action commitments, with climate at the centre of that agenda.

This conference will be a moment for critical, timely discussion between experts, policymakers, and civil society on what is at stake at COP31 for climate finance and what will be needed to realise the global ambitions set since the Paris Agreement, towards engaging with and supporting the Irish EU Presidency ahead of COP31. Together, we will explore how the EU, and the humanitarian and development sector more broadly, can protect frontline communities, build long-term resilience, and turn climate finance promises into tangible action.

Key Themes

Climate Rights and Justice

We will explore:

The adverse impact of climate change on human rights
What measures have proven most effective in ensuing climate finance reaches communities most affected by climate change, whilst advancing a human rights based approach.

Climate Resilience & Adaptation

We will discuss:

Building Community Resilience to Climate Change through case studies.
Communities as catalysts of resilient action – blockers & enablers

Realisation - From Commitment to Delivery

We will examine:

What is at stake at COP31
The operationalisation of Belem commitments and how NCQG will be delivered
What potential lies in the next MFF for climate finance

Conference Objectives

Bring international climate experts together with civil society and policymakers to ground discussion in current, evidence-based analysis.

Amplify the voices of frontline communities on the challenges they face and the support needed to build climate resilience.

Advance understanding of the EU's responsibilities and obligations to the Global South in the context of COP31 implementation.

Foster debate and knowledge sharing between civil society organisations, EU policymakers, climate-affected groups, and youth on shared climate priorities.

Build understanding of the EU's climate and development policy architecture ahead of COP31 negotiations

Deliver concrete, actionable, value and evidenced-based recommendations to the Irish Presidency on its role and responsibility as EU Presidency holder at COP31.

Tentative Agenda

09:00 – 09:30	Registration
09:30 – 09:40	Welcome & Introduction Dóchas
9:40-9:50	Keynote Address
9:50-10:50	Session 1: Climate Rights and Justice Panel Discussion: The adverse impact of climate change on human rights What measures have proven most effective in ensuring climate finance reaches communities most affected by climate change, whilst advancing a human rights based approach? Why should climate rights underpin discussions on finance?
10:50-11:15	Coffee Break
11:15-12:45	Session 2: Climate Resilience & Adaptation Part 1 – Case Studies: Building Community Resilience to Climate Change Part 2 – Panel Discussion Building Community Resilience to Climate Change through case studies. Communities as catalysts of resilient action – blockers & enablers
12:45-1:30	Lunch
1:30-3:00	Session 3: Realisation – From Commitment to delivery Part 1: Launch of the Policy Paper Overview of Findings & Recommendations Part 2: Panel Discussion What is at stake at COP31 The operationalisation of Belem commitments and how NCQG will be delivered What potential lies in the next MFF for climate finance?
3:30-4:15	Fireside Chat – Looking ahead to COP31
4:15-4:30	Closing remarks
4:30	Networking and drinks