he Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 22) met for its 22nd meeting from 1-4 September 2026, chaired by Mr. Sveinung Oftedal (Norway). The meeting had a high level of participation, with nearly 1200 registered participants (in person and online).
During the meeting participants considered the following agenda items:
Consideration of proposals, including documents submitted to MEPC 84 and 85, previous sessions of ISWG-GHG, as well as documents submitted to ISWG-GHG 22, on how to address concerns with the draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI on the Net-Zero Framework, in line with the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy
Following constructive discussions, the Chair expressed his observation of a genuine willingness within the Group to make concrete further progress at the next ISWG-GHG meeting and work towards presenting text to MEPC 85 that adequately addresses the noted progress made in the consideration of proposals on how to address concerns raised regarding the draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI on the mid-term measure.
The Group invited interested delegations to continue to consult intersessionally to address remaining concerns with the draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, in line with the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy, taking into account views expressed at the Group’s session, with a view to submitting concrete proposals reflecting enhanced convergence allowing timely adoption and effective implementation.
Further consideration of the draft guidelines supporting the uniform and effective implementation of IMO’s mid-term measures.
The Group held a preliminary exchange of views on this agenda item, although time became a limiting factor and the Group and agreed to defer the consideration of all documents submitted to this session under this agenda item to ISWG-GHG 23 (23-27 November 2026).
Further consideration of the development of the IMO Life Cycle GHG Assessment (LCA) framework.
Due to time constraints, the Group was not able to consider the agenda item related to the IMO Life Cycle GHG Assessment (LCA) framework. The Group deferred the consideration of those documents to ISWG-GHG 23, in conjunction with the report of the fourth meeting of the GESAMP-LCA Working Group expected to be submitted to MEPC 85.
Update on Voluntary Multi-Donor Trust Fund
The Group noted an update provided by the Secretariat concerning the Voluntary Multi-Donor Trust Fund, which is used to facilitate the participation of developing countries, especially SIDS and LDCs, to attend MEPC and ISWG-GHG meetings. Since its establishment in March 2023, the Fund has accommodated the participation of 225 participants from 58 countries, including 63 women, in ISWG-GHG, MEPC and steering committee meetings. For this session, the Fund financed the participation of delegates from 32 countries.
The Fund is likely to face a shortfall in 2026 of around £220,000, in view of the substantial increase in travel costs globally.
The Group expressed its appreciation to the donors of the Voluntary Multi-Donor Trust Fund and invited Member States and international organizations to consider making financial contributions to the Trust Fund to allow for future participation at IMO’s GHG meetings.
Next steps
The next meeting of the Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 23) is scheduled for 23 to 27 November 2026, ahead of MEPC 85 (30 November to 3 December).
The second extraordinary session of MEPC (adjourned last October) is scheduled to resume on 4 December, subject to discussions at MEPC 85.
