How to attend COP28

How To Attend COP28? (Do you Really Need To Attend?)

If you are eager to know about the COP28 attendance guidelines, we invite you to read this blog post. Within this article, we will give you detailed information regarding the COP28 registration process, participation requirements, and much more. Additionally, we will address the following inquiry:

  • Who is eligible to apply for attendance at COP28?
  • Admission as an Observer Organization
  • Tips About Attending COP28
  • Do You Really Need to Attend? Important questions to ask yourself

The conference location comprises two distinct areas, namely the Bula Zone and the Bonn Zone, which are linked by a corridor spanning a distance of 1.4 km.

COP28 Admission Criteria

People who are part of the Convention, the United Nations, and other organizations, as well as media and non-profit groups who are allowed to watch, can attend the Convention’s meetings. As a result, everyone who wants to go to the conference must sign up correctly.

Only groups and associations with the right to observe can sign up and enter the Bula Zone. To participate in the Bonn Zone, a country or group allowed to join needs to nominate someone using the Online Registration System (ORS).

COP28 Event Registration

The time to apply for the COP 28 review cycle ended on August 31, 2022, at 11:59 PM CEST. However, applications are being received by the secretariat on an ongoing basis for upcoming review cycles. The assessment process will be carried out depending on the availability of resources.

How to become an observer organization for the UNFCCC?

Suppose you want to become a group that can observe and participate in the work of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In that case, you need to follow specific steps and meet certain requirements to become recognized as an “observer organization.

  • Required documents need to be submitted by the organization: The deadline for this step is august the before your first COP
  • After this, UNFCCC reviews the COP28 application: After the completion of the assessment, the result is communicated
  • The organization allows provisional admittance only for attending the upcoming COP: Three months before the COP
  • At last, the secretariat inform your organization: At the COP

COP28 Application For COP28 Observer Status

NGOs and IGOs need permission from the Conference of the Parties (COP) to participate in meetings or sessions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This permission is granted when they are recognized as observer organizations.

Once an organization is admitted, it can skip the admission process again. However, they have to use the Online Registration System (ORS) to sign up their representatives for each conference they want to attend. 

The process for registering as an observer is explained on the web pages for International Governmental Organizations (IGOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that have been admitted.

Before applying for admission using the Online Admission System (OAS), check if your organization has already been admitted. You can find a list of NGOs and IGOs here. 

Please remember that when applying to the UNFCCC, your organization’s status with ECOSOC or other UN groups does not affect the admission process. Furthermore, in order to get knowledge about the admission process of NGOs and IGOs, you can check the link mentioned below:

  • Admission process for NGOs
  • Admission process for IGOs

You need to make sure your COP28 application is complete by including all the required official documents and information as stated in the admission process. Remember to submit it before the deadline mentioned above.

After you’re accepted as an observer, you can get more details about registering representatives for sessions and other events by clicking on the links below:

  • NGOs that are admitted
  • IGOs that are admitted

Tips About Attending COP28

Here are a few recommendations to help you make the most of a COP event:

  • Create your each day routine: To make the most of your experience, creating a routine for yourself each day can be helpful
  • Follow different groups on Twitter: Twitter is a powerful tool for staying up-to-date on the latest developments and insights from the event. Follow other groups, including official COP accounts, NGOs, and experts, and use hashtags to participate in the online conversation

Making the Most of Your COP28 Participation Despite Concerns

1- Educate Yourself and Others

Before attending COP28, take the time to thoroughly research and understand the UAE’s stance on climate issues, including their fossil fuel policies. Be aware of their potential greenwashing efforts and gather evidence to support your concerns. Share this knowledge with fellow attendees and media personnel to ensure a broader understanding of the issue.

2- Collaborate with Like-minded Individuals and Organizations

Connect with other attendees who share similar concerns about the UAE’s policies and intentions. Seek out organizations and individuals committed to climate justice and advocate for stronger climate action. By collaborating, you can leverage collective voices and influence to address your concerns during the conference.

3- Engage in Grassroots Activism

While at COP28, don’t limit your activism to the conference halls. Engage in grassroots initiatives and activities organized by climate justice groups and local communities in the UAE to arrange COP28 protests. These activities can help shed light on the realities of the region and amplify the voices of those directly impacted by the UAE’s policies.

4- Organize Side Events and Workshops

Take advantage of the platform COP28 provides by organizing side events and workshops that specifically address the UAE’s fossil fuel policies and their impact on global climate efforts. Use these events to foster discussions, educate attendees, and raise awareness about the issue at hand.

5- Utilize Media and Social Media Platforms

Maximize the reach of your message by actively engaging with journalists, media outlets, and social media platforms. Share well-researched information and use data-driven arguments to draw attention to the UAE’s actions. By doing so, you can influence public opinion and hold the UAE accountable for their actions.

6- Network and Build Alliances

COP28 brings together individuals and organizations from various backgrounds and perspectives. Use this opportunity to network with like-minded attendees and build alliances. Strengthening relationships with influential stakeholders can help in pushing for change beyond the conference itself.

7- Monitor Negotiations and Policies

Stay actively informed about the negotiations and policies discussed during COP28. Monitor the UAE’s stance and proposals related to climate action, emission reduction targets, and renewable energy. Stay vocal and advocate for stronger commitments and policies that align with the urgency of the climate crisis.

Important Questions to Ask Yourself

Before applying to attend the COP28 in UAE, we encourage you to ask yourself these questions and ponder: is COP28 in UAE worth it?

Here are some questions:

  1. Do you want to attend an esteemed climate talk conference in a country who likely bought rights to host COP28 in exchange for money? Find out how they did it.
  2. Do you want to attend COP28 in UAE that appointed a Oil Boss, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, as the President of UNFCCC Climate conference? Appointment is sabotaging essence of COP28. Hundreds of organizations already criticized the controversial appointment.
  3. Do you want to attend COP28 in a country that is responsible for murder of hundreds of innocent children, women and men. Find out UAE’s war crimes.
  4. Do you want to attend COP28 in a country whose is doing unsustainable investments and endangering millions of marine animals.
  5. Do you want to attend COP28 in UAE that plans to pump $150 billions in Petroleum sector to beep up the Oil and Gas production? Quite the opposite of what Climate Is about!

The answer of these questions demands UNFCCC to launch scrutiny over UAE’s competency of hosting this important climate talks and encourage parties to Boycott COP28. You can also join our COP28 Volunteer drive to give a united message to UAE’s doggy policies and malafide intentions.

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