THE PRESIDENT of COP26 has told delegates who have struggled to gain access to the COP26 venue that organisers “regret any logistical issues” - stressing that efforts are being made to resolve the situation.
Since Monday, delegates have faced long queues lasting several hours to enter the SEC campus where thousands are gathering for crucial climate talks and events.
Those entering the venue must show proof of a negative lateral flow test, as well as going through security.
Speaking at a COP26 press conference on Wednesday, the UK Government’s president of the event, Alok Sharma, insisted that “we regret any logistical issues”, adding that organisers are “working to fix those”.
Mr Sharma said that the feedback he has received from delegates about the event was “quite positive”, but warned “this is a unique COP in quite extraordinary times”.
He acknowledged that there was “pressure on people coming to the venue”, adding there was a “hope that will settle over the next few days”.
There has also been suggestion that organisers were expected many delegates who had signed up to access events virtually without coming to Glasgow – but capacity issues have added to pressure, while online streaming services have also faced issues.
Patricia Espinosa, UNFCC general secretary, stressed many of the problems were “just an issue of capacity”.
She added: “The fact that we are operating in the Covid context has completely changed the way we can put the premises at your disposal.
“We are used to having rooms packed with people that are standing. That’s not possible because the responsible thing to do, and what is being done in every country in the world, is to look at the measures being taken in order to prevent (the spread of infection).”
On Tuesday evening, organisers emailed all delegates to apologise for the issues.
The statement said: “The UN Climate Change secretariat would like to apologise 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 logistical 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.”
It added: “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 the venue.”
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