The Observer COP 23 Guide has been prepared to assist those observers attending a UNFCCC COP for the first time. It is also useful for seasoned observers as the guide has key information for the UN Climate Change Conference, November 2017:

Observer COP 23 Guide (1539 kB)

A “One conference, two zones” concept has been developed to manage the expected level of participation and events in an inclusive manner.

The “Bula Zone” will include plenary halls, meeting rooms for negotiations, delegation offices and media facilities in the World Conference Center Bonn (WCCB). This will be complemented by UN Campus facilities and temporary structures built in the immediate surrounding areas.

The “Bonn Zone” will be located in the adjacent “Rheinaue Park” and will accommodate climate action events including high-level events, side events, exhibits and media activities as well as delegation pavilions. Both zones will be well-connected through regular bus lines with reinforced service. A 1.4 km connection road will be enhanced with a special shuttle service. In addition, bicycles will be available free of charge.

Further information, including venue maps are available here.

Parties to the Convention, United Nations and related organizations and agencies, media and non-profit organizations with observer status may attend the sessions of the Convention, in accordance with Article 7, paragraph 6 of the Convention. Consequently, all participants wishing to attend the conference have to be registered accordingly.

Other organizations, companies and general public:

• Only Parties and organizations with observer status can register to enter the Bula Zone. More information on options for participation is available here.
• For the Bonn Zone, participation will take place through nomination by a Party or an already admitted organization via the ORS. Please find the list of admitted organizations here.

United Nations and related organizations and agencies

Please see the section "Attending sessions" here.

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IGOs and NGOs with observer status

Please note that the nomination period for Bula Zone badges has closed on 7 July 2017 and the nomination period for "Bonn Zone only" badges closed on 31 August 2017. Please see the registration timelines below.

• Registration for both zones is managed through the Online Registration System.
• Badge allocation is on a weekly basis:
• • When registering delegates, an organization's Designated Contact Point chooses for each delegate the attendance period (week 1, week 2, or both);
  • Week 1: 6 - 12 November. Week 2: 13 - 17 November.
• There is no "side events badge", daily accreditation or the like. Just like other delegates, all speakers and participants who wish to take part in a side event must be duly registered and in possession of a conference badge in order to access the premises.
• The zone for which a delegate is registered is determined by the badge type which is chosen from the drop down box in the ORS:

If you choose:	"Bonn Zone only"	Any other badge type
Prior registration required?	Yes	Yes
Access	Bonn Zone only	Bula Zone and Bonn Zone
List of participants	Not included	Included
Name of Party or observer organization	Does not appear on badge	Appears on badge
Category of participation	Not indicated	Indicated (Party, observer, media, etc.)
Visa support letter	Yes, download in ORS	Yes, download in ORS

All delegates of admitted observer organizations have to be registered within the deadlines:

Important information:

Notification/Information note	Published
Information Note - Registration and possible access limitations - United Nations Climate Change Conference - Bonn, Germany, 6 - 17 November 2017 (595 kB)	2 November 2017
Information Note to admitted NGOs - Revision of guidelines for participation of representatives of NGOs at meetings of the bodies of the UNFCCC (153 kB)	6 October 2017
Notification to admitted IGOs and NGOs - United Nations Climate Change Conference, 6-17 November, Bonn, Germany (274 kB)	10 August 2017
Information note to admitted IGOs and NGOs - Capacity for observer organizations - United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 23/CMP 13/CMA 1.2), 6–17 November 2017, Bonn, Germany (190 kB)	1 August 2017
Information Note to admitted non-governmental organizations - Opening of the Online Registration System – Bonn Zone, United Nations Climate Change Conference, 6–17 November 2017, Bonn, Germany (260 kB)	12 June 2017
Information Note to admitted intergovernmental organizations - Opening of the Online Registration System – Bonn Zone, United Nations Climate Change Conference, 6–17 November 2017, Bonn, Germany (259 kB)	12 June 2017
Information Note to admitted IGOs and NGOs - opening of the Online Registration System - United Nations Climate Change Conference, 6 - 17 November 2017, Bonn, Germany (214 kB)	17 May 2017

Important guidelines:

Guidelines for participation: (170 kB)

Use of cameras and audio/video recording devices: (118 kB)

UN security guidelines: (129 kB)

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Disclaimer

The UNFCCC secretariat has become aware that certain admitted observer organizations are using commercial business model packages to solicit business. As an inducement to sell these packages, potential clients are assured participation at UNFCCC conferences, sessions and meetings through quotas of admitted observer organizations. The UNFCCC secretariat would like to make clear that it does not endorse such practices nor does it charge any fees to anyone for participating in the UNFCCC process. Eligible participants are accredited only by the UNFCCC secretariat who upon issue of badges by the UNFCCC secretariat can enter conference, sessions and meetings venue and participate, subject to the relevant rules and regulations, in the activities organized by the UNFCCC secretariat including the UNFCCC side events and exhibits and UNFCCC Climate Change Studio.

Agendas

Detailed information (including agendas, official documents, decisions, Daily Programme and schedule of meetings) can be accessed through the following web pages:

• COP 23 conference website
  • COP 23
  • CMP 13
  • CMA 1-2
  • SBI 47
  • SBSTA 47
  • APA 1-4

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Access to negotiation meetings Changes to in-session access to informal meetings are announced on CCTV screens in the conference venue as well as through Twitter: @UNFCCCObservers

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Webcast Webcast will be available through the COP 23 conference website during the conference.

Submissions

Convention bodies often request written input, called submissions, on views and information on various issues under negotiation. These mandates are extended to observer organizations. Information on how to make submissions is available here.

Meeting rooms Observer organizations frequently hold bilateral meetings with government officials and other delegates. To provide space for such interactions, the secretariat offers meeting rooms that can be booked free of charge, but under certain conditions. Further information on booking meeting rooms is available here. Please note that meetings booked through the Meeting Room Assignment (MRA) team are categorized as closed, and no side events (which are open to the public) can be organized in any of these rooms.

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Press conferences Press conferences conducted at UNFCCC meetings are open to all accredited media. Only registered government representatives and admitted observer organizations may hold a press conference. Information on booking a press conference is available here. Further news and media related information can be accessed here.

Side events and exhibits, the Climate Action Studio and the delegation pavilions will be located in the Bonn Zone:

• Side events and exhibits
• Climate Action Studio
• Delegation pavilions on a commercial basis

Briefings and dialogues

Presiding officers and the UNFCCC Executive Secretary provide updates on the negotiations and opportunities to exchange views in briefings and dialogues with observer organizations. These meetings are facilitated by one of the Constituency Focal Points (301 kB) . During the conference, information on such meetings will be published in the Daily Programme and on the CCTV screens.

Presidency’s Open Dialogue

The Presidency’s Open Dialogue at COP 23 offers a unique opportunity for Parties and NGO Constituencies to directly interact with each other in the formal UNFCCC process. In a collaborative Talanoa spirit, Parties and NGOs will discuss what is needed to implement and enhance NDCs; and how observer access and participation in the UNFCCC process can be further improved. Further information is available here

NGO statements in the plenary: Intervention opportunities are provided by the presiding officers of the respective negotiating bodies. Such opportunities are communicated by the secretariat to the Constituency Focal Points (301 kB) . NGO constituency members are encouraged to work with the Constituency Focal Points (301 kB) to develop statements. The list of admitted NGOs indicates the constituency of an admitted NGO.

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High-level segment statements: Admitted NGOs: Same procedure as indicated above for plenary statements applies, i.e. the statements are given per Constituency and are coordinated through the Constituency Focal Points (301 kB) . Admitted IGOs: The secretariat has informed the Designated Contact Points of registered IGOs that statements by registered heads of IGOs during the joint high-level segment are foreseen. The speaking slot has to be applied for with this registration form. Please note that speaking slots are for the head of organization only and cannot be delegated.

HLS opening on 15 November 2017

The opening of the joint high-level segment of COP 23/CMP 13/CMA 1.2, to be attended by approximately 30 Heads of State and Government, will be held in Plenary New York on Wednesday, 15 November 2017. The opening will be presided over by His Excellency Mr. Frank Bainimarama, President of COP 23/CMP 13/CMA 1.2, and will be attended by His Excellency Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, His Excellency Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, His Excellency Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, President of the UN General Assembly and Ms. Patricia Espinosa Cantellano, UNFCCC Executive Secretary.

Owing to the exceptional number of participants and the capacity limitations of the plenary, and taking into consideration the safety and security of all participants, the United Nations Department of Safety and Security will need to restrict access to Plenary New York.

However, a limited number of tickets for the Gallery are available for NGOs. Tickets will be distributed through the Constituency Focal Points (301 kB) . Those ENGOs that do not belong to one of the ENGO networks (ENGO CAN or ENGO CJN), please note that your organization's Designated Contact Point has been informed about a lottery system for a limited number of tickets.

Observer part of the HLS

Statements by heads of IGOs and Constituency representatives during the HLS were delivered on Thursday, 16 November 2017. Further information including the list of speakers and copies of the statements are accessible here. The webcast of the observer statements is available here.

Opportunities for partnerships with the UNFCCC secretariat for COP 23 are available here.

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Information on and opportunities for partnerships with the UNFCCC secretariat beyond COP 23 are available here.

The request period for offices on a commercial basis closed on 9 June 2017. Further information is available here.

Endorsement of events and initiatives by the COP 23 Presidency

Information on labeling and endorsement of events and initiatives is available on the COP 23 Presidency's website.

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Cultural and other events before, during and after COP 23

For assistance in promoting an activity related to the conference outside the official conference venue, please consult this website by the City of Bonn.

Please also see:

COP 23 Info Hub

Information for Participants

Frequently asked questions

COP 23 website of the Federal Ministry for the Environment

General information on observer participation is available on the following web pages:

Admitted NGOs (i.e. NGOs with observer status)	Admitted IGOs (i.e. IGOs with observer status)
United Nations System and its Specialized Agencies	NGOs and IGOs without observer status

Individuals and for-profit companies