Participation at Bonn climate talks could be limited to prevent coronavirus outbreak

(Climate Change News, 5 Jun 2020) Participation in preparatory UN climate talks scheduled for October will likely be restricted to prevent coronavirus transmission, top diplomats presiding over the process have said.

Observers to the climate talks said full transparency and broad stakeholder participation in the talks remained “crucial” as negotiators thrash out the last unresolved issues under the Paris Agreement rulebook.

The event which happens every year in Bonn, Germany, ahead of the annual UN climate summit, is usually attended by 2,000 to 3,000 negotiators, government officials, observers, campaigners and journalists from all over the world.

In light of the global Covid-19 pandemic, the meeting is likely to be significantly scaled down, with a cap on the number of people allowed inside the conference venue. This would allow for delegates to be seated further apart, to reduce the risk of spreading infection.

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Climate Change News, 5 Jun 2020: Participation at Bonn climate talks could be limited to prevent coronavirus outbreak