The following statement was delivered during the Arrangements for Intergovernmental Meetings (AIM) negotiations on observer participation on June 12 2026 on behalf of the ENGO-DCJ and ENGO-CAN constituencies during the 64th meeting of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB64) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC):

Thank you, co-facilitators. I am Ann Harrison and I speak on behalf of ENGO. 

Without inclusive and effective participation of observers, the whole of the UNFCCC agenda is undermined.  

The right to freedom of expression includes the right to impart and receive information and that requires presence in the rooms.

The voices of Indigenous Peoples, affected communities, workers, women, children, youth, older persons, Afro-descendants, those living with disabilities and other marginalised groups must be present and be able to be heard where important decisions that affect the whole of humanity are discussed. 

Yet this week we have heard how barriers to accessing visas are still hindering colleagues’ presence here in Bonn, and how others – such as Daria Egereva highlighted by the IPO – are prevented from attending by their own governments who have put them behind bars for their vital climate activism, including here in the UNFCCC.

This is a clear demonstration of why open civic space and the protection of human rights are vital wherever climate action is being discussed, including here in Bonn, at COP31 and all UNFCCC meetings. We therefore urge you, in line with earlier statement of Parties, to ensure that the agreed conclusions:

• Recommend all Host Countries, including Germany for the SBs, to implement a unified, simple, equitable, digital visa system for for all accredited participants to all UNFCCC meetings that provides decisions within one week.
• Continue to strengthen human rights protections in Host Country Agreements including through the new HCA template.
•  Support increased funding to prevent exclusion. Parties should meet financial commitments to the UNFCCC.
• Mandate the Secretariat to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to intimidation, harassment, violence, and reprisals against Environmental Human Rights Defenders and all observers participating in UNFCCC processes, and appoint a dedicated UNFCCC focal point to monitor incidents, collect relevant data, and support accountability and redress. This includes training in incident response involving vulnerable groups including children and young people and reviewing the child safeguarding practices within the UNFCCC.

Thank you