What is COP23?

COP23 is the 23rd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It is the main annual meeting of all nations under the UNFCCC to build and strengthen intergovernmental climate policy.

COP23 will be held from November 6-17, 2017, in Bonn, Germany.

The Conference will comprise sessions of:

• the Conference of the Parties (COP 23);
• the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 13);
• the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA 1.2);
• the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI 47);
• the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 47);
• the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA 1.4).

A Little about COP23

COP23 will be focusing on:

1. Accelerating the implementation of the Paris Agreement
2. Catalyzing and supporting climate action happening at a global scale

The special thing about COP23 is that the conference is led by the Presidency of Fiji (Fiji is the host) but hosted off-site in Bonn (where the UNFCCC Secretariat is). So, the host team works closely with the secretariat of UNFCCC, both governments, the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the city of Bonn in organizing this conference.

COP23 is fused with the Fijian Bula spirit, which means hello or welcome, with a deeper sense of wishing others a blessing of affection and good health. The conference plans on showcasing Fijian and Pacific culture, art and life. The design of the logo was meant to act as a reminder that rising sea levels are affecting not only small island developing states but also coastal cities in many other countries.

One Conference, Two Zones

Two zones will be set up for COP23: The Bula Zone and the Bonn Zone. The Bula Zone will act as the formal negotiating zone will the Bonn Zone will act as the climate action zone.

The Bula Zone

The Bula Zone spans from the World Conference Center Bonn to the UN Campus as well as a temporary extension. Plenary halls, meeting rooms, delegation offices, a media and press center as well as catering and other facilities are prepared for a variety of activities.

The Bonn Zone

The Bonn Zone will host global climate action events (including high-level events), side events, media events, exhibits, and pavilion events..

Setup of the Conference

The distance between the two zones is about 1.4km, which is a 15-minute walk or 9-minute drive. Shuttles are provided to commute between the two zones. But, I feel that the most exciting thing about traveling between the two zones is that bicycles are provided for free! Yay!

Here’s a virtual tour of the conference venue:

The presentation of the logistical preparation can be find HERE as well.

Sustainable Aspect of the Conference

The conference aims to be climate neutral through a series of action plans, hoping to offset the unavoidable emissions (like flights). Actions include virtual participation, paper reduction, European Eco-Management, and Audit Scheme (EMAS) verification, vegetarian catering and etc.

 

Written by Xiandi Ooi
Malaysian Youth Delegation