Security, Visa, Venues, Deadlines for Registration
The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) holds the annual Conference of Parties (COP) wherein nations that have signed for the convention meet to advance its goals and that of the Paris Agreement. This conference especially addresses efforts to limit global warming, develop climate mitigation, adaptation, address loss and damage, etc.
The 29th COP is hosted by Azerbaijan for 2024.
When will COP29 happen?
COP29 will be held on 11 to 22 November in Baku, Azerbaijan. The daily program for the conference is yet to be posted.
Where is the venue of COP29?
COP29 will be held at the Baku Stadium located at Heydar Aliyev, 323, Baku, Azerbaijan. Baku Stadium is situated 15km away from the Heydar Aliyev International Airport and the city center. It is accessible with various public transportation such as the city buses and metro. The Baku stadium will have two main zones, the Blue Zone and Green Zone, as conference space for all participants and the public during COP29. Know more about the official venue here.
What is the Blue Zone?
The Blue Zone is the formal conference and negotiation space for all UNFCCC-accredited participants of COP29. Accredited participants will be able to receive a detailed map of different areas and service centers within the Blue Zone. Know more about the Blue Zone here.
What is the Green Zone?
The Green Zone is a space open for non-accredited participants of COP29 . This zone is hosted by the COP Presidency as a platform for multiple stakeholders to exhibit various contributions to climate action. Access to the Green Zone requires a ticket which is free of charge. Know more about the Green Zone here.
How accessible is the venue of COP29?
The venue for COP29 will be prepared to be an accessible and inclusive environment for all its participants.
The COP29 Presidency assures physical accessibility by providing accessibility wayfinding, on-ground navigation support, and equipment of ramps, elevators, quiet rooms, accessible parking and restrooms around the venue.
Accessibility information service will be established to support participants with different disabilities to access event information and activities. Staff and volunteers are also assured to be trained in assisting persons with disability.
Other services such as wheelchair repair and prosthetics repair will be offered in COP29. They also assure accessible transportation options for the participants, as well as accessible accommodations in the city.
How to get to the COP29 venue?
The COP29 and Azerbaijan Government will provide free transport services to all participants. Details on the transportation options are yet to be posted.
What to expect for health, safety and security during COP29?
COP29 assures an international standard for Health, Safety, and Environmental Policy (HSE) to be implemented during the conference for the safety of their company, contractors, partners, and all participating individuals and organizations.
UNFCCC advises all participants of COP29 to obtain international travel insurance for the duration of their stay as they disclaim responsibility for medical, accidental, or death compensation during the conference and its pre-sessional meetings.
They will also hold the right to refuse and/or limit registration or entry to the conference venue, or request participants to leave the venue premises.
Detailed medical and security emergency information is yet to be posted.
How to get a visa for Azerbaijan?
The Azerbaijan Government has authorized a “COP29 Special Visa” which will be required for all COP29 participants coming from outside of the country, regardless of their national passport.
The COP29 Special Visa is a single-entry visa that is valid for 30 days. The special visa can be used also by participants attending the pre-sessional meetings for COP29 or UNFCCC meetings held in Azerbaijan.
Once a participant is accredited by registration by UNFCCC, they will receive an email including their UNFCCC registration number which will be used to apply for the special visa.
Requirements for the visa application includes:
• at least 3 months passport validity of the participant
• JPG photo of valid passport
• information on the participant’s accommodation during their stay.
The visa will be processed for at least three (3) working days. Once the visa is approved, the participant will receive an email with the download link for the visa.
Participants can reapply for the COP29 Special Visa if they wish to re-enter Azerbaijan to attend pre-sessional meetings, other UNFCCC meetings, or COP29.
The COP29 Special Visa can be obtained for free by UNFCCC-accredited participants through the e-visa portal, or through Azerbaijan’s diplomatic representations and consulates abroad.
Know more about the COP29 Special Visa here.
How to register for COP29?
Participation in COP29 requires registration and accreditation from UNFCCC.
All participants must be registered accordingly and must have a conference badge to be able to attend conference sessions and activities in the Blue Zone.
Registration is managed on the UNFCCC Online Registration System. This is where Parties, UN organizations, specialized agencies, admitted IGOs or NGOs with observer status, and Press/Media can register and nominate their participants.
Registration for accredited intergovernmental organizations (IGO) and non-governmental organizations (NGO) are scheduled for the following dates:
Confirmed participants can collect their conference badge upon arrival at the venue for the first time at the registration desk. To collect their badge, they must provide:
• a digital or print copy of acknowledgement letter sent to the participants from the online registration system
• a valid passport or a nationally approved photo identification card.
The conference badge will allow a participant to directly access the venue through the security. Once the badge is collected, there is no need to go through the registration desk again. Please note that multiple registration under different badges for the conference is not allowed.
Know more about registration here.
For detailed information about UNFCCC accreditation to obtain observer status, please read here.
Reminders for Observers
UNFCCC has already released a COP29 Schedule and an Observer Handbook.