Observers to the Conference of the Parties
Rules 29 to 31 of the Rules of Procedure of the Conference of the Parties define who may attend the public or open sessions of the Conference of the Parties or meetings of its subsidiary bodies as an observer, without the right to vote.
State non-Party
International intergovernmental organizations (IGOs)
As per Rule 30.1 of the Rules of Procedure, any international intergovernmental organization may apply to the Secretariat for observer status, which may be granted by the Conference of the Parties, taking into account the 17th and 18th preambular paragraphs as well as Article 5.3 of the Convention.
In the form of a letter addressed to the Secretariat, the application duly endorsed by the governing body of the organization concerned should be submitted, through the link below, to the Secretariat not later than 90 days before the opening of the session, according to the Rules of Procedure, Rule 30.1.
Apply for observer status to the COP * by 19 August 2025
(only application submitted through the link will be considered)
After this deadline no application will be considered during the COP11 session.
* In accordance with the Rules of Procedure, the Bureau of the COP will review the applications and submit its recommendations to the COP for final decision on granting the observer status.
International and regional Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)
As per Rule 31.2 of the Rules of Procedure, international and regional nongovernmental organizations whose aims and activities are in conformity with the spirit, purpose and principles of the Convention may apply to the Secretariat for observer status which may be granted by the Conference of the Parties, based on the report of the Secretariat, and taking into account the 17th and 18th preambular paragraphs as well as Article 5.3 of the Convention. Such applications should be submitted to the Secretariat not later than 90 days before the opening of the session, according to the Rules of Procedure.
Apply for observer status to the COP* by 19 August 2025.
(only application submitted through the link will be considered)
After this deadline no application will be considered during the COP11 session.
*In accordance with the Rules of Procedure, the Bureau of the COP will review the applications and submit its recommendations to the COP for final decision on granting the observer status.
--
NGOs reports
The Conference of the Parties shall review the accreditation of each NGO at any of its regular sessions and thus determine the desirability of maintaining its observer status. (Rule 31.3).
Deadline for reports submission at the latest six months before the opening of the COP session.