The Conference of the Parties (COP28), currently being held in Dubai, is officially the largest ever organized. With 80,000 participants registered on a provisional list, this event far surpasses the previous record set by COP27. This impressive figure includes not only delegates, but also technical and security staff, bringing the total to around 104,000 people with access to the “blue zone”, an area dedicated to negotiations and the flags of states or organizations.
Analysis of Participants and their Influence
The composition of the delegations at this COP is remarkable, with figures that speak for themselves. For example, Brazil stands out with 1,336 delegates, followed by the host United Arab Emirates with around 620. France, the United States and other countries are also represented in force. In addition to the official delegates, there are a significant number of “overflow” participants including company directors, experts and representatives of professional organizations. This diverse group raises questions about the balance between official negotiations and the influence of private interests.
The Conflict of Interest Challenge
One of the most controversial topics of this COP28 is the management of conflicts of interest. Historically, the UN did not require full disclosure of participants’ affiliation, including their employer or financial relationship with the organizations providing their accreditation. This shortcoming has often made it difficult to identify lobbyists and raised concerns about the integrity of negotiations. The presence of prominent figures from major companies on the list of “overflow” participants adds to the complexity of this debate.
The “Green Zone”: A Space for Innovation
Alongside the formal discussions, COP28 is also proposing a “Green Zone”, a kind of public fair dedicated to innovation and business, located on the site of the 2020 World Expo. This zone attracted a considerable number of people, with 400,000 signing up for “day passes”. This area provides a platform for showcasing the latest innovations in sustainability and environmental technologies.
COP28 in Dubai stands out not only for its record size, but also for the challenges it presents in terms of managing conflicts of interest. This dynamic underlines the growing importance of transparency and balance between public and private interests in global environmental debates.
