The Convention enters into force for a state 90 days after that state ratifies it. The COP held its first session in 1995 and will continue to meet annually unless decided otherwise. The COP must promote and review the Convention's implementation. The Convention states that the COP must periodically examine the obligations of the Parties and the institutional arrangements under the Convention. It should do this in light of the Convention's objective, the experience gained in its implementation, and the current state of scientific knowledge.
Progress is reviewed largely through the exchange of information.
It also promotes and guides the development and periodic refinement of comparable methodologies, which are needed for quantifying net greenhouse-gas emissions and evaluating the effectiveness of measures to limit them. Based on the information available, the COP assesses the Parties' efforts to meet their treaty commitments and adopts and publishes regular reports on the Convention's implementation. Mobilizing financial resources is vital for helping developing countries carry out their obligations. They need support so that they can submit their national communications, adapt to the adverse effects of climate change, and obtain environmentally sound technologies. The COP therefore oversees the provision of new and additional resources by developed countries.