Press and media

This section offers an overview about press and media at UN Climate Change and provides information relevant to media representatives.

Information for the press
Archive 2

Recordings of UN Climate Change meetings and historical records are available on the UN Climate Change Archives website. Please consult our Terms of Use and credit material appropriately: UN Climate Change.

Calendar: Climate Hub 360 / Climate Clock

Bookmark the UN Climate Change calendar “Climate Hub 360”. This tool provides a list of events including dates, location, themes and type of meeting.

Documents and decisions

Read decisions online or download documents as a PDF file. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement are available in all six UN languages.

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Visit our essential information page for an  overview of the UN Climate Change process and the work of the secretariat.

Mobile App

Download our free “UN Climate Change app” on your mobile device (smartphone or tablet) for quick access to key information and sign up for important updates. The App is available in the Google (Android) and iTunes (IOS) stores and is a great way to follow international climate action at any time and especially during UN Climate Change meetings.

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Browse all news, articles, speeches, statements and press releases in the UN Climate Change Newsroom. Use the search field or select “type of news”, “topic”, and “year” to filter publications relevant to you.

Photography

The UN Climate Change secretariat provides high quality photographs on Flickr. Please credit material accordingly with UN Climate Change / Name of Photographer.

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Subscribe to the UN Climate Change podcast “It’s Possible” on your favorite podcast platform. “It’s Possible” is about sparking conversations to inspire positive change, unpack the climate emergency, and connect science and action.

Latest-information
Latest information on UN Climate Change meetings
Press and Media COP26 IV

If you have media accreditation and traveling with audio-visual equipment to COP 28 you must apply for permits and licenses prior to your arrival. Apply using this link.

If you are a press officer from governments travelling with their delegation, please contact WCASmedia@unfccc.int.

The UN Climate Change secretariat has introduced updates to the registration of UN Climate Change conference participants, with the aim to increase the transparency of participation in the UN Climate Change process.

More information related to these changes is available here.

logo of COP 28

Media accreditation for COP 28 will close on 11 Oct, 11.59 pm Bonn time (CEST/UTC+2).

Taking into account the large number of requests received for the media badges, and the physical safety and security considerations of the venue, the secretariat is compelled to close the system as of 11 October 2023.
All applications received up to and including 11 October 2023 will be duly processed.

Regrettably, new applications past 11 October 2023 will not be accepted.

For more information on media accreditation for COP 28, please visit our website and our frequently asked questions.

Please bookmark this link, which will be updated with information on COP 28 when it becomes available.

Media-accreditation
CoverCOP28
Media accreditation for COP 28 closed on 11 October 2023, at 11.59 pm Bonn time (CEST/UTC+2).

Taking into account the large number of requests received as well as the physical safety and security considerations of the venue, the secretariat was compelled to close the system as of 11 October 2023.

All applications received up to and including 11 October 2023 will be duly processed.

Regrettably, the secretariat cannot guarantee accreditation for applications submitted past 11 October 2023.

For more information on COP28 media accreditation, please consult our frequently asked questions.

Please bookmark this link, which will be updated with information on COP28 when it becomes available.

UN Climate Change media accreditation

The UN Climate Change secretariat follows the United Nations criteria for accreditation of media (also available in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish). However, decisions on accreditation for UN Climate Change events are made solely by the UN Climate Change.

Online accreditation is the only official channel to obtain registration for the media. The secretariat is not in a position to accept accreditations via any other channel (e-mail, fax, post, etc).  Any accreditation materials not sent through the online system will not be processed.

How to apply for media accreditation

  1. Go to the Online Registration System
  2. Look on the top left corner for options to either login or create an account.
  3. If you already have an account, log in with your e-mail address and password.
  4. In the upper right-hand corner of the screen, select <meeting to follow> as the current meeting.
  5. Edit your personal information and select your badge type. If you are planning to participate remotely, please select the newly introduced option “virtual-only
  6. Upload the required documentation and click on "Submit application"


Only completed applications will be considered. Delays could occur if the request does not have the required documents (copy of press card, letter of assignment) or is not submitted.

Once the request is approved, a confirmation will be sent to the e-mail address on file in the online account. You need to come in person to collect your media pass.

Please note that applying for accreditation does not guarantee registration. The secretariat may, at any time and for safety and security reasons, put measures in place to manage the number of accredited media who are able to attend the conference.

Media accreditation is strictly reserved for media professionals (print, photo, radio, television, film, news agencies and online media) who represent a bona fide media organization formally registered as a media organization in a country recognized by the United Nations General Assembly.

Accreditation will only be given on proof of a track record of reporting for media organizations. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. The UN Climate Change secretariat reserves the right to deny or withdraw accreditation of journalists from media organizations whose activities run counter to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, or who abuse the privileges so extended or put the accreditation to improper use or act in a way not consistent with the principles of the Organization.

Accreditation is required for all media who wish to cover UN Climate Change meetings.

Guide to the online media accreditation system

In order to complete the process you will need the information detailed below. All information must be as it appears in the passport or other official photo identification document which the participant intends to present at the registration desk.

  • Complete name as it appears on official photo identification
  • Date of birth
  • Nationality
  • Passport or other photo identification number (drivers license, etc.)
  • Email address

Go to UNFCCC Online Registration to request account creation. Once you request account creation, you will receive an e-mail with the confirmation link.

Please follow the link and finish the account creation procedure. You will receive another e-mail with your login name, password and further instructions. The online system recognizes only valid e-mail addresses.

Accreditation requests must be supported by the following documents:

  • Letter of assignment on official letterhead of a media organization signed by the Publisher or Editor-in-chief indicating the name of the media representative and duration of assignment.
  • Copy of a valid press card.  In the absence of a press card, you may submit additional materials, in line with the UN criteria.  Please refer to the system or the online FAQs for more information.

Materials are scanned into a graphics format (.pdf .gif .jpg .tif) and uploaded into the system.  There is a file size limit of 4 MB.  This replaces the previous system of submitting accreditation documents via e-mail.  The secretariat will not accept materials sent separately by e-mail.

If there are any problems with your application, or additional information is needed, your profile will be updated.  Please check your profile regularly for updates.

Every effort will be made to issue the accreditation as soon as possible.

Please check the status of your application online, in the personal profile that you created. Do not call the press office for updates on your accreditation.

Once you have received confirmation of your accreditation, you will be registered for the conference. Download the Registration Acknowledgment Form and bring it with you to the conference.

The names and information entered are for purposes of identification and verification only. Required information is used for accreditation and statistical purposes and will not be published for general access. This information will be retained in the system for use at future sessions, unless a written request to remove it is received from the media concerned.

Letters of assignment and copies of press cards are not retained.  For each meeting a new letter of assignment must be submitted and copy of a valid press card, if it has expired since the last meeting.

Press-conferences

Press conferences at UN Climate Change meetings

During UN Climate Change meetings, Parties and admitted observer organizations are encouraged to hold press conferences. The UN Climate Change Press Office oversees press conferences bookings. For more information on how to book a press conference room, please read the following guidelines carefully.

To reserve the press conference room(s), please send a completed press conference request form to the UN Climate Change Press Office.

Only registered government representatives and admitted observer organizations (admitted IGOs and admitted NGOs) may hold a press conference.

There is no cost for use of the press conference room.

Press conferences may be requested from the first to the final day of the conference.

All requests are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis with alternatives being offered if the requested time slot is already reserved. First priority is given to Parties and the Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change.

Each press conference is 30 minutes in length, maximum. Time limits are strictly enforced.

Normal press conference services are provided between the hours of 09:00-18:00 (last slot starts at 17:30; bearing exceptional circumstances).

All press conferences must be requested no later than 16:00 local time the day before the desired date. Requests received after this time will be dealt with; however, the desired timeslot cannot be guaranteed.

Titles of press conferences, if any, must be submitted no later than 16:00 local time the day before the desired date.

Same-day requests must be received at least two hours before the requested time.

Once confirmed, every effort will be made to retain reserved dates and times. However, if a priority booking request is received, we will work with the contact person to find a suitable alternative.

Note that attendance is limited to accredited media registered for the conference. Access is also granted to the UN Climate Change communications team plus a limited number of staff from the delegation/organization holding the press conference.

• Room set-up is theater-style seating, with a head table and microphones.
• Participants are asked to provide their own nameplates and interpretation. 
• A laptop and beamer are available in the room. Presentations should be announced at the time of booking and delivered on a memory stick to the technical team in the room.
• All press conferences are webcast (live and on-demand), unless otherwise noted.

Participants are responsible for creating their own media distribution lists and informing the media of their press conferences. 
UN Climate Change staff will make media advisories and other information available to accredited press through a page designated to third parties press releases and media advisories. Please follow the instructions on how to submit your press materials.

In order to reduce paper consumption, scheduled press conferences are announced on the UN Climate Change website and on the CCTV screens throughout the conference premises.

Interview-requests

Interview requests

UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell is the organization’s principle spokesperson. In addition, interviews with other UN Climate Change experts can be arranged based on the specific field of interest. To arrange for an interview with representatives of the Parties to the Convention, please refer to the list of National Focal Points.

Interview requests can be sent to the UN Climate Change Press Office. In order to help us to determine if your interview will be feasible, please include your media organization and the following details with your request:

  1. What is the preferred date and time for the interview?
  2. How much time is needed?
  3. Will the interview be conducted in-person or virtually?
  4. Will a television/radio interview be live or pre-recorded?
  5. In which language will the interview take place?
  6. Where will the interview be held: Studio or on-site?
  7. Who will conduct the interview?
  8. Which topics will be covered in the interview?
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