The global body has requested its staff members to curb their involvement at the scheduled UN climate summit in Brazil this November, citing sky-high lodging prices in the host city of the Amazonian city.
Accommodation Issue Threatens Accessibility
Government teams are reportedly scrambling to secure affordable accommodations, as escalating rates have sparked calls from a number of countries to move the conference—a suggestion that Brazilian officials have clearly dismissed.
“Considering the capacity constraints in the host city, I would must kindly request that heads of the UN agencies review the number of their teams,” stated Simon Stiell in an official document.
Assistance to Developing Countries
The host country’s summit leadership emphasized its promise to arrange accommodations at discounted costs for delegates from lower-income nations.
However, rising rates and a scarcity of available rooms have fueled alarms that many smaller states may find it difficult to join the event.
Press and Civil Society Bodies Also Affected
News outlets and advocacy networks have additionally warned that they may have to reduce or drop their participation of the event due to unaffordable accommodation expenses.
Planners have been cautioned that inability to address the lodging crisis could result in what some are calling “the most restrictive Cop ever.”
Current Talks and Future Plans
At a recent discussion, the United Nations proposed that Brazil support hotel prices to enable lodgings at around $100 per night for representatives from the poorest countries and between $$400 and $500 for remaining attendees.
Yet, Miriam Belchior emphasized that the government is already bearing significant financial burdens related to organizing the event and cannot provide additional subsidies.
Officials from involved states and the United Nations are scheduled to hold further talks later this week to continue dialog on the lodging issue.
