The Government of The Bahamas welcomed more than 250 delegates representing over 100 countries to Nassau for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group II Second Lead Author Meeting for the Seventh Assessment Report (AR7), being held May 17–22, 2026 at the British Colonial Nassau.
Held under the theme “Advancing the Global Scientific Assessment on Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability from the Front Lines of the Climate Crisis,” the meeting brings together some of the world’s leading climate scientists, researchers and experts to advance the global scientific assessment of climate change impacts, adaptation and vulnerability.
The meeting marks a historic milestone for The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean region, as it is the first time an IPCC author meeting is being hosted in a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) in the Caribbean.
Prime Minister Philip Davis officially welcomed delegates during the opening ceremony, May 18, emphasizing the importance of science-driven climate action and the lived realities faced by vulnerable island nations.
“For us, climate change is not an abstract concept. It is not a distant risk to be modeled for a future generation. It is here. It is present. It is personal,” the Prime Minister stated.
He noted that The Bahamas continues to experience the impacts of rising sea levels, stronger storms, coastal erosion and coral reef degradation, while reaffirming the country’s commitment to resilience, renewable energy expansion and innovative climate financing mechanisms.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the significance of convening the meeting in The Bahamas, noting that participants would gain firsthand insight into the realities confronting frontline climate-vulnerable nations.
“By convening in a Small Island Developing State, you are grounding your work in lived experience,” he said. “You are seeing firsthand the landscapes, communities, and ecosystems that are most directly affected by the issues you study.”
The IPCC Working Group II assesses the impacts of climate change on ecosystems, biodiversity and human communities, while also evaluating adaptation options and vulnerabilities across regions and sectors. The findings developed during this process will contribute to the IPCC’s Seventh Assessment Report, which helps inform international climate negotiations and policymaking worldwide.
The Bahamas also proudly recognized Bahamian climate scientist Dr. Adelle Thomas for her continued leadership and contributions within the IPCC process.
The five-day meeting is hosted through collaboration of the Government of The Bahamas, the Climate Change Unit, the Bahamas Aviation Climate and Severe Weather Networks Ltd. (BACSWN), the IPCC Secretariat, and the World Meteorological Organization.
The Government of The Bahamas reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside the international community to advance ambitious climate action, strengthen resilience and support science-based solutions to the climate crisis.
