UNFCCC Online Registration System is an instrument that supports the nomination of participants for the UNFCCC sessions.

It allows each individual seeking accreditation as media to create a personal account, enter personal data and upload required documentation e.g. letter of assignment. Status information on the requested accreditation will also be available through the system.

Accreditation online is the official channel to obtain registration for the media for a conference or event. The secretariat does not accept accreditations via any other channel.

All media must be accredited for each conference or event; previous approved accreditations do not apply.

Media representatives who have previously been duly accredited to UNFCCC conferences will be able to retrieve their personal data by logging into their ORS account and uploading a new letter of assignment and copy of a valid press card, if it has expired since the last conference.

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 (driver’s license, etc.)
• Email address

Go to UNFCCC Online Registration (ORS) 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.

If you already have the ORS account you can log in. 

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 FAQs for more information.

Materials are scanned into a graphics format (pdf, gif, jpg, tif) and uploaded into the system.

The secretariat will not accept materials sent separately by e-mail.

If there are any problems with your application, or additional information is needed, you will be contacted.

Please check your ORS profile regularly for updates.

Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and applicants should check their profile for the status of their application.

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

Please be aware that we receive credentials for thousands of applicants and there may be a delay between the time we receive your credentials and when they are processed.

Delays in processing the application could occur:

• If the request does not have the required documents or the documentation is not in order (unsigned letter, expired press card, etc)
• If documents are not provided in the working languages of the U.N.

Please check the status of your application online, in the personal ORS profile that you created.

Once you have received confirmation of your accreditation, you will be registered for the conference.

Print out the Registration Acknowledgement Form and bring it with you to the conference (alternatively you can show Registration Acknowledgement Form at the registration desk from your mobile device).

You may collect your badge on-site at the media registration desk at the conference venue. Registration usually opens the weekend before the meeting starts.

Your photo will be taken at the registration station; it is not necessary to send a photo in advance.

You must present the same valid photo ID you have used in your ORS profile.

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.

All Parties, UN organizations, Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) duly admitted by the COP and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) duly admitted by the COP can only apply for a press conference slot if they wish to hold one.

The list of admitted NGOs can be found here. The list of admitted IGOs can be found here.

Current applicants for admission and provisionally admitted organizations are not eligible to apply for a press conference slot.

For information on the admission process for observer organizations, please click here.

Press conference rooms booking requests should be submitted through this designated form: https://forms.gle/6Ez681etuuNVeTGy8.

There is no fee associated with the use of the press conference room.

Press conferences are booked under the name of the requesting organization, and at least one representative of the organization must be present to lead or moderate the session for accountability reasons.

All press conferences are webcast live and made available on-demand. They are accessible to the public through the Schedule of Events page and the UN Climate Change mobile application.

A laptop and projector are available in the press conference room. Presentations must be provided directly to the technical team on site prior to the start of the press conference.

The press conference room is configured in a theatre-style seating arrangement, featuring a head table equipped with microphones.

Each press conference is allotted a maximum of 30 minutes. As press conferences are scheduled back-to-back, it is essential that the time limit is strictly observed.

Food and beverages are not permitted inside the press conference room.

Participants are responsible for supplying their own nameplates and for organizing any interpretation services needed for their press conference.

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 our designated page.

Media advisories and press releases submissions can be made through this designated form (direct link: https://forms.gle/7rDv9BMvZpgbUvVu9). 

Kindly make your submission only as a link to a website where your materials are available. 

Please note that e-mail attachments or content embedded into an e-mail will not be processed.

For further information and questions, contact us under releases-COP@unfccc.int.

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

Disclaimer: UN Climate Change is not responsible for third party content and reserves the right to decide against publishing individual submissions.

The UNFCCC Secretariat has established guidelines for admitted observer organizations on how to book press conferences during official sessions.

The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure that all admitted observers have a fair opportunity to make use of the limited number of press conference slots to communicate their messages to the media, while also maintaining the orderly flow of press conference activities. They outline:

• the procedures for requesting a press conference slot,
• the selection process,
• the criteria for eligibility,
• operational rules for the use of press conference rooms.

Clear and accessible rules help promote efficient scheduling and support the broader goal of transparent and multi-stakeholder communication to media on climate action during critical international negotiations.

Guidelines are published and can be viewed and downloaded here.