The UN Climate Change secretariat would like to apologize for the inconveniences associated with accessing the venue of COP26, both physically and virtually. As you are aware, COP26 is taking place under exceptional and unprecedented circumstances. The COVID-19 pandemic means that UNFCCC and the UK host government had to put many safety measures in place to protect the health of all participants. This has meant reducing access to many spaces within the venue to ensure social distancing can be maintained as well as having to reduce the security and registration lanes in line with Covid-19-related protocols.

At the same time, we have seen unprecedented interest in this conference, given the importance of addressing climate change, with high numbers of participants registering. The World Leaders Summit, with its inevitable security arrangements, has added to the many pressures.

We also understand that participants experienced problems in accessing the COP26 virtual platform. This is a new virtual platform that has been built specifically for COP26 in view of the Covid-19 restrictions, learning from the many virtual meetings that took place since the beginning of the pandemic. The platform is complex, as are the many modalities and different types of individual events and meetings. Please note that staff are available both on the premises and online at all times to help participants access the platform.

In many ways, the first few days of the COP26 have been a learning process, with participants and staff getting used to the pandemic-related logistical measures and circumstances, and we are doing our utmost to continuously learn and adapt. We sincerely ask participants to allow for sufficient time to access to the venue. In the case of inclement weather, please come prepared with appropriate gear.

With your support and understanding we remain confident that we can achieve the best possible outcomes here at COP26 in Glasgow for people and the planet!