By Ayuska Motha, UN Rep, AIWC Cologne
Someone recently asked me: “What is the difference between the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP) and the UN Bonn Intersessional Meetings?”
Terms defined:
UN Climate Change Conferences
The 58th sessions of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SB58) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) took place at the World Conference Center Bonn (WCCB) in Bonn, Germany, June 5–15, 2023. These are often called the Intersessional Meetings. This year’s UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, COP28, will take place November 30–December 12, 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
From my experience, first of all, the Bonn Intersessionals are generally much smaller than COPs. Only close to 8,000 participants attended the Bonn meetings in June 2023, whereas approximately 35,000 attended COP27 in Egypt in November 2022. Just that sheer size difference results in much shorter lines for security and check-in, fewer logistical complications getting to the venue as well as within it and shorter lines for the restrooms, water fountains and refreshments. So just finding your way to where you need to get to is so much easier, requires less time and seems much less stressful than when attending the COPs.
Second, since the Bonn meetings only include UNFCCC events and meetings as well as a smaller number of side-events, my perception has been that the whole tone is much more technical and more focused on negotiations and getting work done. The COPs tend to include many more meetings and side-events; country and organization pavilions all hosting full programs of activities; an entire green zone of climate action initiatives as well as parallel climate change-related conferences and events outside of the UNFCCC. All this adds up to a continuous loud buzz and in my opinion, a much higher level of energy and excitement.
Third, although the Bonn meetings are very international, many delegates coming from outside the Schengen Zone face considerable visa challenges and cannot afford the high accommodation costs in Germany. In contrast, the COPs are hosted by countries in different geographic regions to encourage broader participation from that region. Hence, the culture, language and to some extent, customs of the host country are also part of a COP experience. Since the Intersessional Meetings are always in Bonn, that host nation “flavor” does not vary every year as it does with the COPs.
Those three major differences; a much smaller number of attendees, more focus on the negotiations, and less of a host nation flair would be the main three differences that I have experienced. The three FAWCO members who attended the SB58 meetings will all be available for a Virtual Chat FAWCO Event later in 2023, where we would love to answer any of your questions in an informal setting.
Links for more information:
SB58 in Bonn in 2023
COP28 in Dubai in 2023