Climate change is the most urgent and complex challenge of our time, affecting every aspect of our lives and the future of our planet. To address this challenge, the United Nations (UN) organizes an annual meeting where governments, civil society, businesses, and experts come together to discuss and decide on how to tackle climate change.

This meeting is called the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and it is the world’s biggest and most important climate event. This year, COP28 will take place in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, from 30 November to 12 December 2023. It will be the first COP to be held in the Middle East, and it will be a crucial opportunity to accelerate and enhance global climate action and ambition.

In this blog post, we will explain what COP28 is, when and where it will happen, and why it is important. Whether you are a climate activist, a researcher, a journalist, or a curious citizen, this blog post will help you understand and engage with COP28. Read on to learn more about the UN climate summit in Dubai.

What is COP28?

COP28 is the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC, the international treaty that aims to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system.

The main objectives of COP28 are to:

• Review the progress and gaps in the implementation of the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit the global temperature rise to well below 2°C, and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C, by the end of the century.
• Assess the collective efforts of the parties to achieve the global goal of peaking greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible, and reaching net zero emissions by the second half of the century.
• Encourage the parties to submit and update their nationally determined contributions (NDCs), which are their voluntary plans and actions to reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
• Mobilize and scale up the provision and delivery of finance, technology, and capacity-building support to developing countries, especially the most vulnerable and least developed ones.
• Enhance the transparency, accountability, and effectiveness of the global response to climate change, through robust reporting, review, and verification mechanisms.
• Promote the engagement and participation of non-state actors, such as subnational governments, civil society, private sector, indigenous peoples, and youth, in the implementation and enhancement of climate action.
• Address the cross-cutting issues and linkages between climate change and other sustainable development goals, such as health, education, gender, biodiversity, human rights, and security.

When and where is COP28?

COP28 will take place from 30 November to 12 December 2023, in Dubai, in the UAE. Dubai is the largest and most populous city in the UAE, and one of the leading global hubs for trade, tourism, innovation, and culture. Dubai is also a pioneer in renewable energy and green economy, with ambitious plans and projects to diversify its energy sources, reduce its carbon footprint, and enhance its environmental sustainability. Dubai has been selected as the host city of COP28, after winning the bid against other candidates, such as Istanbul, Ankara, and Doha. Dubai will be the first city in the Middle East to host a COP, and it will showcase its achievements and vision to the world.

The venue of COP28 will be the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), which is a state-of-the-art facility that can accommodate up to 45,000 visitors and 10,000 delegates. The DEC is located within the Expo 2020 Dubai site.

Why is COP28 important?

COP28 is important because it will be a critical moment for the world to demonstrate its commitment and action to address the climate crisis. According to the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UN’s scientific body on climate change, the world is already experiencing the consequences of global warming, such as more frequent and intense heat waves, droughts, floods, storms, wildfires, and sea level rise.

The report also warns that the world is on track to exceed the 1.5°C threshold by the early 2030s, unless drastic and immediate actions are taken to reduce emissions and enhance adaptation. The report also highlights the benefits and opportunities of pursuing a low-carbon and resilient development path, such as improved health, well-being, equity, and security.

How to attend, participate, and follow COP28?

COP28 is open to participation by parties and observer states to the UNFCCC, as well as accredited observer organizations, such as UN agencies, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and media. The registration process for COP28 will start in September 2023, and it will be done online through the UNFCCC website. The registration process will require the submission of personal and organizational information, as well as a valid passport and visa.

The registration process will also require the payment of a fee, which will vary depending on the type and category of the participant. The fee will cover the access to the DEC and the Expo 2020 Dubai site, as well as the provision of some services and facilities, such as transportation, security, and catering. The fee will not cover the costs of travel, accommodation, and insurance, which will be the responsibility of the participant.