UN climate conference kicks off in Bonn - but not everybody is invited

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day, reviewed by our editorial team. Read the full piece on Euronews or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Climate talks in Bonn ahead of COP31 (SB64) are facing criticism for restricting access to civil society and journalists
• Visa delays, high travel costs, and limited press slots are excluding delegates from developing countries, while fossil fuel lobbyists gain influence, raising concerns about equity and transparency in global climate negotiations

🔭 The context: SB64 convenes amid mounting pressure to translate climate pledges into action on adaptation, fossil fuels, food systems, and just transition
• Climate Action Network (CAN) was initially allocated only five press briefings for the conference, prompting outcry
• Last year, 223 delegates from Africa and Asia experienced visa issues, and reports indicate the problem has worsened in 2026, limiting participation from frontline communities

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Excluding civil society and frontline representatives undermines accountability and may weaken climate action
• Without input from those directly affected by climate change, decisions on fossil fuel phase-outs, adaptation strategies, and sustainable development could overlook critical environmental risks and reinforce inequitable policy outcomes.

⏭️ What’s next: UN organizers have added two additional CAN press slots, but visa and access issues persist
• Calls for inclusive participation highlight the need for procedural reforms ensuring equitable representation of vulnerable nations and communities in climate decision-making.

💬 One quote: “Climate justice cannot be negotiated without the people who need it most. Every visa denial is not just a paperwork problem, it is a person erased from a conversation about their own survival.” – Baboucarr Nyang, CAN Africa

📈 One stat: Reported cases of delegates struggling with visas to UN climate talks rose to 298 in 2026, reflecting increasing barriers to participation for developing countries

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