"Pandemic Complicates Preparations for COP26 Climate Summit"

"The United Nations event, known as COP26, will be one of the largest international gatherings during the Covid-19 pandemic. Challenges abound."

"In a few weeks, an estimated 20,000 ministers, activists and executives from nearly every country in the world are set to descend on Glasgow to hammer out how to make progress on climate change.

And yet, the Marshall Islands chief negotiator still doesn’t know how many people from her country are coming with her. An activist from Kenya has no idea when, or if, he will get vaccinated against Covid-19, while another from Mexico has flown to the United States to get a dose. And the British government hosts are still trying to figure out how to get Scotland’s health labs ready to process coronavirus tests in case of an outbreak.

The climate summit, known as the 26th session of the Conference of Parties, or COP26, will be one of the biggest international gatherings held during the Covid-19 pandemic when it starts Oct. 31. Among those expected to attend are Queen Elizabeth, Pope Francis and at least 100 presidents and prime ministers, including President Biden of the United States."

Somini Sengupta and Lisa Friedman report for the New York Times October 5, 2021.

Source: NYTimes, 10/07/2021