5 tips for making the most of COP 28

Every year, tens of thousands of people flock to the Conference of Parties — known as COP — to review and accelerate action on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This year, COP 28 will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and it’s estimated to be the biggest one yet, with the host expecting over 70,000 delegates to descend on the venue, Expo City. Making the most out of such an action-packed week can be challenging — not least logistically. Devex spoke to several seasoned COP attendees for their tips on how to prepare for the event and make the most of the opportunities that COP presents. 1. Find out what’s going on A lot of conferences offer an app where people can connect with other attendees. That’s not the case with COP. Instead, follow thought leaders on social media to make sure you stay on top of the conversations and get an understanding of what’s happening in the negotiations, advised Robyn Camp, RTI International’s associate director of energy and climate. “And don’t be afraid to DM the person you want to talk to,” she added. A lot of reception invitations and after-hours activities are shared via WhatsApp groups, so it’s worth asking people you meet about adding you to any relevant groups, said Kate Warren, Devex’s executive vice president who is leading the Devex @ COP28 summit. To find out about the many side events, it’s also worth having a look at Eventbrite — and don’t shy away from contacting event organizers even if an event is listed as invite-only. On that note, Devex will be hosting a series of invite-only events, which Devex Pro members are welcome to join — simply register here. Warren also suggests checking out the many international restaurants and hotels in Dubai’s financial district, DIFC, if you’re looking to host a meeting or event somewhere with an alcohol license. 2. Navigate Expo City Expo City isn’t quite downtown but it does have a stop on the metro — red line. There are also plenty of taxis and Ubers available, although traffic can be challenging. Paul Newnham, executive director of the SDG2 Advocacy Hub Secretariat, recommends avoiding peak times — head to the venue early and get some meetings or work done there, he said. Unlike past COPs, the blue zone — where negotiations happen — and the green zone — where the public and civil society gather — are right next to each other. While it makes the space easier to navigate, it also means it’s bigger, so prepare for a lot of walking. You might also want to pick a spot to meet up with people and stick with it rather than running around to different places, said Warren. Make sure to factor in enough time to get around the vast area — and wear a good pair of shoes. This year’s host is also putting a lot of effort into making the green zone a more dynamic space with lots of dialogue, explained Camp. So don’t despair if you don’t have a blue zone pass. “Frankly, you could keep yourself busy for a full week … without ever stepping into the blue zone,” said Warren. There will also be more than 80 pavilions — small spaces where the parties to COP and other relevant organizations can host events and discussions (official ones are in the blue zone). Camp recommends making a shortlist of the pavilions most relevant to your work and the conversations you want to be a part of and focus on showing up for those. “It's really like a choose-your-own-adventure experience,” she said. 3. Prepare provisions In the past, cafeterias and restaurants in the blue zone have quickly run out of — expensive — food options. This year’s host has a so-called Sustainable Catering Strategy which will deliver a two-thirds plant-based menu, but it’s worth bringing snacks in case lines get long or you find yourself hungry after an intense day of walking around the venue. There will be lots of water fountains, so bring a bottle to fill up, advised Newnham, as well as sunscreen since some activities and zones will be outdoors. 4. Focus on meaningful connections It can be hard to stand out during an event this big and busy. When it comes to your message, it’s important to be clear about what you’re there for, what you’re trying to communicate, and the solutions that you bring to the table, explained Newnham. To him, the biggest opportunity of COP is that it’s “multilevel”. “It's really important to think about how you build bridges and connections both horizontally and vertically. For me, the benefit of these events is to not just talk to the same people that you talk to everywhere else, all year, but to also try and make some new connections and to work across issue areas.” Similarly, for Camp, part of the COP magic is connecting with people and ideas that can help you see things differently. If you’re attending COP hoping to connect with potential funders, think about how you can offer multilevel solutions. “They’re looking for intersectionality and for things that hit multiple levers,” said Newnham. Keep in mind that many funders will be busy showcasing investments they’ve already made, so while it might be a good place to meet them, put more focus on following up afterward. However, remember that many people have holidays soon after COP wraps up, so you might want to put some effort into planning your follow-up ahead of time. 5. Pace yourself For many organizations it’s quite an investment to go to COP, so it’s easy to feel the pressure to make the most of it. However, “you also don’t want to burn out, so you need to pace yourself somewhat,” said Newnham. He recommends taking some downtime to ensure you have enough processing time and that you’re able to bring your best self to the conversations you’re having. “Be strategic about where you're going to put your energy and what you're going to invest in,” he said.