A key driver of ambition envisioned in the Paris package is a “facilitative dialogue” among parties in 2018. This dialogue is mandated to take stock of the collective efforts of parties toward the long-term goal set out in Article 4.1, and is intended to inform the preparation of the next round of nationally determined contributions (NDCs).1 This background paper provides a negotiating and political context for the convening of the facilitative dialogue, and discusses a range of issues and options relating to its purpose, scope and design.