Know more about the COP 28 in Dubai

(Updated Oct 25, 2023)

Background:

The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will host the 28th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP 28), to build on previous successes and pave the way for future ambition to effectively tackle the global challenge of climate change.

For detailed information, please refer to the Government of the United Arab Emirates Presidency and the Pathway to COP 28 web pages.

The meeting comprises the twenty-eighth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28), the eighteen session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 18), and the fifth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA 5).

Logistical Information for Participants

Conference dates
Thursday, 30 November to Tuesday, 12 December 2023

Location
Expo City Dubai, United Arab Emirates Cop 28 Presidency United Arab Emirates (UAE)

COP 28 Presidency
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber,
President-designate For Cop28 UAE

Information from the COP 28 Presidency and the COP 28 Blue and Green Zone is available on the COP 28 Presidency website.

What is The Green Zone?

The Green Zone is open to delegates and guests of the Blue Zone, the Public and Private Sector, NGOs, and the General Public.

Where is the Green Zone located?

The Green Zone is located at Expo City Dubai, adjacent to the Blue Zone. The Green Zone will be operational between Thursday 30 November and Tuesday 12 December 2023.

What to expect?

Sponsor and stakeholder hubs:

Decarbonization Hub
Technology and Innovation Hub
Knowledge Hub

Curated content and programming:

Technical conferences
Panels
Networking
Roundtables
Exhibitions
Entertainment

Community engagement:

Youth Hub
Emirati culture

Visas

All COP 28 participants traveling from outside the UAE will require a visa, regardless of their national passport. Visas can be obtained only through the visa portal as described below.

All foreign participants entering the UAE for COP 28 and the pre-sessionals must have a passport that is valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into the UAE.

COP 28 registered participants will be granted an electronic visa called a “Special Entry Permit”, hereafter referred to as COP 28 UAE Visa, free of charge. After approval of the registration via the UNFCCC Online Registration System, participants will receive a link to apply for the visa as part of the UNFCCC registration confirmation email.

Participants are strongly encouraged to promptly apply for the COP 28 UAE Visa as soon as their UNFCCC registration is confirmed. Please visit the visa portal link in your UNFCCC registration email to track the status of your visa.

The COP 28 UAE visa will be a single-entry permit, valid for 30 days from the date of arrival. Please consult the COP 28 Presidency website for further information.

Queries concerning visa arrangements should be addressed directly to visas@unfccc.int.

The UAE Government has authorized an electronic, free-of-charge Special Entry Permit for all UNFCCC-registered COP28 UAE event attendees, also known as the COP28 UAE Visa. Once you have completed your UNFCCC registration you will receive a UNFCCC registration confirmation email which will include a link to apply for the COP28 UAE Visa.

Through the link, please visit the visa portal, fill out the form, upload the required documents, and submit it for approval. Once approved, you will receive the visa confirmation email with a link to download your COP28 UAE Visa.

All foreign participants entering the United Arab Emirates (UAE) must have a passport that is valid for a minimum period of 6 months from their date of entry into the UAE.

It is mandatory for all foreign UNFCCC-registered participants entering the UAE to apply for the COP28 UAE Visa, before arrival, using the visa application link within the UNFCCC registration confirmation email.

Processing of the COP28 UAE Visa application may take up to 72 hours after submission. Participants are therefore strongly encouraged to take the necessary steps to apply, as soon as their UNFCCC registration is confirmed. Your application status can be checked using the link in your visa application confirmation email (received after submitting the visa application).

To facilitate a seamless visa issuance process, it is imperative to provide all the required information including the UNFCCC registration code on the COP28 UAE Visa application portal

All inquiries regarding visa arrangements should be addressed directly to visas@unfccc.int.

After UNFCCC approves your application to COP28 UAE, you will receive a link to apply for the visa as part of the UNFCCC registration confirmation email. Once you apply for your visa, you should receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive this email, please check the visa portal to track your visa progress.

Required documents
The following documents are required to apply for a Special Entry Permit:

Your UNFCCC Registration Code
Correctly filled visa application form on the visa portal
Clear colored copy of passport with minimum 6 months validity from arrival into UAE (jpg/png/pdf; max 100kb)
Clear colored copy of UN Passport (if applicable) (jpg/png/pdf; max 100kb)
Clear recent passport-size applicant-colored photo with white background

Multiple entries to the UAE
The COP28 UAE Visa allows the holder a single-entry visit into the UAE. Should you wish to leave the UAE and return during COP28 UAE, you must re-apply for the COP28 UAE visa following the same process as you used previously, using your UNFCCC registration number. Please note, that you can apply only after you exit the UAE.

How to apply

All formalities regarding registration, including issuance of badges to duly nominated participants to attend the sessions, are free of charge.

All COP 28 participants traveling from outside the UAE will require a visa, regardless of their national passport. Detailed information can be found under Visas below.

Who can register

Parties to the Convention, United Nations and related organizations and agencies, media, and non-profit organizations with observer status may register to attend the sessions of the Convention. More information on options for participation is available here.

How to register

Registration for the conference is managed through the UNFCCC Online Registration System (ORS).

For Parties and observer States as well as for United Nations and related organizations and specialized agencies, the ORS opened for the nomination and confirmation of their representatives on 19 June 2023 and will remain open until 27 November 2023, 23:59 Central European Time (CET).

For admitted intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations, the ORS was open for the nomination of participants from 19 June 2023 until 31 July 2023, 23:59 Central European Summer Time (CEST). The ORS will be open for the confirmation of their representatives from 25 August 2023 until 27 November 2023, 23:59 Central European Time (CET).

Notifications on COP 28 registration for Parties and observer States, for United Nations organizations and specialized agencies as well as for admitted intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations, are available here.

Multiple registration for the conference is not permitted (i.e. registration as an observer organization representative and a Party or State representative and/or press/media representative).

Changes to the registration system and process

The UNFCCC secretariat has introduced updates to the registration of conference participants, intending to increase the transparency of participation in the UNFCCC process. Detailed information is available here.

Collecting conference badges

To be issued a conference badge, all participants must be duly registered as indicated in the section “How to register” above.

Upon arrival at the venue for the first time, participants are requested to proceed to the registration desk to collect badges for access to the conference premises. The acknowledgment letter from the online registration system – printed or on a mobile device – and a valid passport or a nationally approved photo identification card should be presented to the registration staff for the issuance of badges.

For subsequent visits to the venue, with an already obtained badge, participants may access the venue directly through security, without stopping at the registration desk.

Once the badge has been activated, the record cannot be deleted from the database.

Pre-printing badges for Party and UN delegations

National focal points of Parties and designated contact persons of the UN system may request to have badges pre-printed for their delegations and have them collected in advance from the registration counters. The person collecting the badges shall then sign on behalf of the delegates and will be responsible for the distribution of those badges. This option is available only to those delegates who already have a photo in the system. Kindly submit your request under the related section via the communication tab in the ORS by selecting “Pre-printed badges” from the drop-down menu. Please note that a delegate whose badge has been printed will be reflected in the List of Participants.

Registration desk open hours:
During the conference dates, registration counters will open from 8:00 to 19:00 hrs. A detailed schedule, including opening hours for the pre-sessional week, will be provided in due course.

Daily badges for IGOs and NGOs

For COP 28, a simplified version of daily badges will be introduced and further information will be provided in due course.

Virtual-only registration

Following the successful pilot at SB 58, virtual-only registration is also available for COP 28. The UNFCCC “Virtual-only” registration in the Online Registration System (ORS) facilitates virtual-only (online) access to delegates from Parties and observer organizations by providing access to UNFCCC meetings remotely, provided the meeting is open to the respective delegate and has the possibility for online participation. Detailed information can be found here: FAQ Virtual-only.

Registration

Registered participants are urged to book their accommodation for their time at COP 28 as soon as possible.

UAE offers a wide selection of accommodation options to suit every budget, ranging from 1-star to 5-star hotels and serviced apartments.

Additionally, Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital, is located one hour away from the event venue and features a wide range of accommodation options, with more than 230 hotels and resorts plus serviced apartments available, ranging from 1-star to 5-star.

Bookings for accommodations are managed by the appointed accommodation agency, bnetwork. The bnetwork online booking site can be accessed here. The online booking site offers the option to filter those accommodation options that have accessibility measures in place. In addition, attendees with accessibility requirements can contact bnetwork for personalized assistance (via phone +33 1 58 16 20 10 or email).

For detailed information regarding accommodations please refer to the link here.

Accommodation portal
COP28 UAE will facilitate a booking portal for accommodation arrangements that will enable all registered delegates to book their accommodation for the event. The booking portal along with additional information for delegates is available on http://www.cop28.bnetwork.com

Appointed travel agency
Larger delegations requiring group bookings should contact accommodation service providers directly as early as possible to secure preferred accommodations. Alternatively, bnetwork, the COP28 UAE appointed travel agency, can assist with accommodation and related travel services in UAE.

Please contact bnetwork via email at cop28@bnetwork.com or by phone + 33 1 58 16 20 10 (regular operator charges apply) Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 18:00 (CET); kindly expect responses within 48 hours on working days.

Accomodation

The Government of the United Arab Emirates is working to ensure that delegates have a range of smooth-running and sustainable modes of transport.

The Conference venue will be served by the Dubai metro and complemented by a conference shuttle bus system operating between the venue and main hotel zones throughout Dubai. The transport services will be free of charge to all participants.

Information on the Dubai metro and other transportation options can be found here.

Transport

The average high in November is 31ºC, so it's still very hot. You'll find evenings quite comfortable, which cool to 18ºC. The sea temperature's 28ºC, while the humidity's still quite high.

Weather in Dubai in December
Expect highs of between 25°C to 28°C in the day, and lows of 16°C to 19°C at night. Dubai's humidity in December usually sits around the 60% mark, and the likelihood of sunshine is approximately 75%.

Weather

Health regulations
Information on health regulations in the UAE can be found here.

Medical and Security emergencies
Information will be posted here as it becomes available.

Disclaimer
Participants are strongly advised to obtain comprehensive international medical insurance for the duration of their stay. The United Nations and the UNFCCC secretariat disclaim all responsibility for medical, accident and travel insurance, for compensation for death or disability, for loss of or damage to personal property and for any other costs or losses that may be incurred during travel or the period of participation at the conference including pre-sessional meetings.

In the interests of the security and safety of all participants and the smooth running of the sessions, the UNFCCC secretariat reserves the right to deny and/or restrict access to the conference premises, or to request participants to leave the premises. The UNFCCC secretariat shall not be responsible for any expenses incurred by participants who are requested to leave the premises or refused registration or access to the sessions for which they have been nominated and/or registered as participants.

Non-smoking policy
Smoking indoors is strictly prohibited. Designated outdoor smoking areas are available at various locations throughout the conference venue.

Health, Safety and Security

Code of Conduct
UNFCCC conferences, meetings, and events should be professional, respectful, inclusive, and harassment-free for all participants.

Harassment in any form, including sexual harassment, will not be tolerated. All participants are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully and familiarize themselves with the Code of Conduct and other guidelines.

The Code of Conduct contains detailed information on prohibited conduct, complaint and investigation processes as well as possible consequences in case of misbehaviour.

Any incident that infringes on the Code of Conduct guidelines should be reported either directly to any badged UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) officer or by calling the United Nations Security Control Centre, which is open 24 hours a day. The phone number will be provided in due course. Incidents may also be reported to SpeakUp@unfccc.int at any time within conference dates.

Additional guidelines for participants
Instruction on Authority of United Nations security officers

For detailed information, please see the complete UN Administrative Instruction on the Authority of United Nations security officers.

Guidelines on the use of cameras and audio/video recording devices
Cameras and audio/video recording devices may be used by participants in public areas, such as lobbies and corridors, provided that such activities do not disrupt the activities or movements of participants or security provisions of that area.

However, the recording of audio and video by Party or observer organization delegates at open or closed official meetings or in designated high-security zones is not permitted.

For detailed information, please see the complete guidelines on the use of cameras and audio/video recording devices.

United Nations Security guidelines related to observer media actions, distribution of publicity materials, etc.

Authorized media actions and publicity events by admitted observers following official procedures, in designated areas, are permitted. Materials containing abusive or offensive language or images or political pronouncements are not permitted in the conference venue.

For detailed information, please see the complete United Nations Security guidelines related to media actions, distribution of publicity materials, etc.

Guidelines for the participation of non-governmental organization representatives
Non-governmental organizations are responsible for the conduct of their representatives. Any behavior not consistent with these guidelines may have an impact on current or future participation in UN Climate Change events, including de-badging or revoking access for the organization and/or the individual.

For detailed information please see the complete guidelines for the participation of non-governmental organization representatives.

Code of Conduct and guidelines for participants

Several automated teller machines (ATMs) are available at the conference venue and will be operational during the pre-sessional week and throughout the Conference.

Banking

There will be a wide variety of catering options across the venue, including food truck zones, Grab & Go outlets, coffee kiosks, restaurants, and on-demand event catering.

All on-demand event catering must be ordered at least 48 hours in advance. Payment is due upon ordering. More information on catering packages will be available soon via an e-portal.

Additional information is available here.

Catering

Applications for side events and exhibits are managed through the Side Events and Exhibits Online Registration System (SEORS). SEORS is the only channel used by the UNFCCC secretariat to receive applications for official side events and exhibits by admitted observer organizations, and Parties partnering with admitted observer organizations. The information on the application timeline is available on the SEORS home page.

The UN inter-agency coordination for side events to be organized by the UN organizations and specialized agencies at COP 28 is undertaken by the UNFCCC secretariat. For information on the application process and timeline, please liaise with UNSideEvents@unfccc.int. Applications from UN organizations and specialized agencies for COP 28 exhibits are received via the Side Events and Exhibits Online Registration System (SEORS) during the application period indicated on the SEORS home page. Further information on UN side events and exhibits at COP 28 is available on this web page on the official UNFCCC website.

Please review the following documents prior to applying for a side event and/or an exhibit slot:

Logistical information on COP 28 side events and exhibits will be published on the SEORS home page as soon as this information becomes available.

Side events can be watched live and on demand on the official UNFCCC website and the official UNFCCC YouTube channel.

For further information on side events and exhibits, please consult the Side Events and Exhibits information page on the official UNFCCC website.

Side events and exhibits

Along with live webcasts, social media community tools such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, and YouTube enable virtual engagement with COP 28. The full list of key social media accounts can be found here.