Global South observers ‘blocked from COP26 negotiations’

ABSTRACT

Speed read Vaccine, visa complications, COVID restrictions hindering COP26 participation Global South observers, civil society groups ‘don’t have seat in negotiations’ Urgent action needed to address participation gap, say advocates A participation revolution is needed to stop the “outrageous” exclusion of civil society and the global South from major international talks, development advocates have said amid accusations that COP26 is the least inclusive climate summit in a decade. See PDF] Sébastien Duyck, a senior attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law, said “People have come from all regions, despite all of the hurdles – the economic costs of being here in Glasgow, the health risks associated with going back to their communities, to participate in the process.” Duyck called on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat and the UK as hosts to take immediate action to ensure that the voices of communities living with the impacts of climate change are “effectively and meaningfully heard in negotiating rooms”.