This webpage provides information for intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) that have observer status, i.e. that have been admitted by the Conference of the Parties as observers to the UNFCCC. If your organization is not admitted, information on the admission process can be found here.
Please refer to the accordions below for information. Information on intersessional meetings and workshops can be obtained by navigating to the respective tab.
In order to ensure timely communication and access to UNFCCC systems, it is the responsibility of admitted IGOs to keep the secretariat informed of the contact details by completing a Contact Details Form for already admitted IGOs and sending it to cool@unfccc.int in case of any changes. Please note the following:
This form is not for registering for conferences. It is only used to update contacts of organizations that already have observer status!
The Designated Contact Point (DCP) of admitted IGOs serves as the official channel for the exchange of information with the secretariat, including but not limited to receiving official notifications, nominating representatives for sessions, matters related to side events and exhibits or other session-related activities.
Please send us digital and typed forms with text / characters that are optically recognized when selected, i.e. editable text, in Word or PDF format. This will allow for a quicker process of your data. Photos and scans are not unacceptable. However, the processing time will be longer and the data will be prone to error.
In case your browser does not support the filling of form fields, you may try a different browser or open the form in a PDF reader supporting this feature.
Only provide the information which needs to be changed. If information is not changed, please tick "No changes" and leave the respective fields empty.
Our database cannot carry multiple email addresses for one person, or carry the same email address for a different designated contact point (DCP) and head of organization.
Provide the names of persons exactly as indicated on the person's passport.
A digital signature or a scanned copy are sufficient.
In case the head of organization changes, please provideofficial proof to that effect, for example, an official communication or a Web posting. Please also note that the highest ranking official in an organization should be registered as head of organization.
In case the name of your organization has changed, please provide official supporting documents (e.g. a new registration certificate issued by a government authority as well as scanned copies of the amended articles of association/statutes of your organization).
Please note that in the Contact Details Form all fields marked with an asterisk * are published on the List of Admitted IGOs (i.e. name of the Designated Contact Point, but email and contact numbers as provided under section 1 “Organizational details”).
Kindly remember to delete any representative account before nominating the person holding a representative account as DCP.
The processing of the form takes around 10 working days. When deadlines for registration are approaching, the number of change requests surges and it will take more than 10 working days. As changes to the contact details might affect your access to the online systems for registration and side events and exhibits, kindly ensure submission of the form well in advance of relevant deadlines.
Organizations without observer status and individuals can find further information here.
IGOs and NGOs with observer status
Registration is managed through the Online Registration System (ORS). The secretariat’s usual practice is to post official information for upcoming sessions, including registration timelines, on the UNFCCC website well in advance of the start date of the sessions. You can find current information on the Notifications page of the UNFCCC website.
ORS will open upon issuance of the notification/information note which contains the nomination and confirmation deadlines. Designated Contact Points (DCP) of admitted NGOs must nominate and confirm representatives through ORS by the given deadlines. Late nomination and confirmation of representatives after these deadlines will not be accepted.
ORS timeline overview
For further information and guidance on the nominations and confirmation process and using the system, please refer to the ORS User Manual.
For technical assistance when using the system, please contact the UNFCCC support team using the ORS Support Form.
For other issues relating to registration, please contact the secretariat through the communication field within the ORS (click the tab on the top ‘Communication’).
Duly confirmed delegates through ORS must obtain a conference badge at registration counters on-site. Further details are published in the information for participants for the respective sessions.
The below guidelines and regulations are set in place to promote a harmonious atmosphere supportive of discussions and negotiations at intergovernmental meetings and to encourage the effective participation of observers in the process:
As a way to engage observers in the Convention process, the secretariat manages side events and exhibits within the negotiation venue where observers can interact with Party delegates and other participants.
Submissions are a very important element of sharing information, building understanding and advancing work inter-sessionally in an open, transparent and inclusive manner. The Submission and Statement Portal aims to enhance the user-friendliness and efficiency in submitting and viewing the information and views from Parties and well as from Non-Party stakeholders.
Information on how to make submissions is available here.
A list of calls for submissions from the sessions in Sharm el-Sheikh can be found here.
Statements:
Making statements at the COP by the head of the organization in the context of the high level segment: If speaking slots for observer organizations are foreseen at the high-level segment, the secretariat will contact the Designated Contact Points (DCPs) of admitted IGOs that register to attend the COP. Please note that speaking slots are for the head of organization only.
The UNFCCC secretariat has become aware that certain admitted observer organizations are using commercial business model packages to solicit business. As an inducement to sell these packages, potential clients are assured participation at UNFCCC conferences, sessions and meetings through quotas of admitted observer organizations. The UNFCCC secretariat would like to make clear that it does not endorse such practices nor does it charge any fees to anyone for participating in the UNFCCC process. Eligible participants are accredited only by the UNFCCC secretariat who upon issue of badges by the UNFCCC secretariat can enter conference, sessions and meetings venues and participate, subject to the relevant rules and regulations, in the activities organized by the UNFCCC secretariat including the UNFCCC side events and exhibits.
How to participate in intersessional meetings and workshops (e.g. meetings of the constituted bodies)
Workshops and meetings are mandated by the COP or subsidiary bodies as vehicles for informal advice and inputs from experts, information sharing among delegates, and promoting consensus-building on strategies outside the political negotiations. They are normally small, with restricted numbers of participants to allow them to function effectively and to fulfill the task assigned to them.
The chairs of the subsidiary bodies, advised by the workshop/meeting chairs, have key roles in deciding the format of, and participation at, a workshop/meeting, including deciding whether and how many observers will be invited. This number will be determined by the nature of the workshop/meeting and the resources available, and will take into account the level of interest among the observer organizations, with the ultimate aim of allowing an effective working atmosphere with an appropriate balance of participants.
Mapping matrix observer engagement
Different constituted bodies have different mandates relating to stakeholder engagement set by Parties. The secretariat and the co-chairs are duty-bound to operate within the mandates. The mapping matrix shows how various Constituted Bodies, Work Programmes and other initiatives and activities are engaging stakeholders.
Related documentation regarding observer participation at workshops is accessible through MAS Observers.
All constituted bodies and work programmes can be found below. The schedule of workshops and meetings of the constituted bodies can be found on the respective bodies' website and on the calendar.
The UNFCCC secretariat has become aware that certain admitted observer organizations are using commercial business model packages to solicit business. As an inducement to sell these packages, potential clients are assured participation at UNFCCC conferences, sessions and meetings through quotas of admitted observer organizations. The UNFCCC secretariat would like to make clear that it does not endorse such practices nor does it charge any fees to anyone for participating in the UNFCCC process. Eligible participants are accredited only by the UNFCCC secretariat who upon issue of badges by the UNFCCC secretariat can enter conference, sessions and meetings venues and participate, subject to the relevant rules and regulations, in the activities organized by the UNFCCC secretariat including the UNFCCC side events and exhibits.
observer organizations SB 60
For detailed information on observer engagement at SB 60 including the Code of Conduct, please see here.
