What is the main purpose of a conference of the parties (COP)?

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The main purpose of a conference of the parties (COP) is to bring together members of an international treaty to review and update the treaty’s implementation. The term is primarily associated with the main decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a treaty that focuses on climate change and requires member states to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) responsible for global warming.