TheCable

The United Nations has launched an online registration portal for its upcoming climate change conference, COP26, to ensure that interested participants are vaccinated against COVID-19.

COP26 is the 26th session of the conference of the parties, an annual convention organised by the United Nations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The conference brings together countries that are signatories to the Paris agreement to deliberate on ways to tackle climate change.

In 2020, the conference was postponed due to COVID-19, but this year, it will be held physical from October 31 to November 12, 2021, in Glasgow, UK.

Alok Shama, the COP26 president, said the early opening of registration is independent of the decision on the precise format of the conference, adding that more details of the logistics arrangements will be communicated in the coming weeks.

Shama recommended that all COP26 participants should be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to attending the conference.

He also explained that vaccines will be offered to registered parties, admitted observers and media representatives who have not yet received a vaccine, are not able to get one in time for the attendance at COP26, and cannot access a vaccine through other means.

“Success at Glasgow requires representatives from every part of the world physically sitting around the same table. Whether the global north, or the global south, we all share one planet and are facing the challenge of climate change together,” he said

“I encourage delegates who need one to take up our offer of a COVID vaccine. This will be part of wider measures put in place to ensure a safe, in-person COP this November for delegates and the local community.”

Patricia Espinosa, UN climate change executive secretary, said the vaccine doses are being offered by the UK government, but will be administered by the United Nations in various cities around the world.

“We will collaborate closely with the UK government to ensure that the vaccination offer is implemented in an inclusive, transparent and fair manner,” she said.