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31 July 2023

In 2023, the Conference of the Parties (COP) will celebrate its 28th year as the decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This year, the event is scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 30 November to 12 December.  

Behind the successful execution of these global summits is the complex planning and intensive coordination led by UNDSS. Since the treaty came into force in 1994, the department has secured all previous 27 summits and is currently preparing for the upcoming 28th. This year, the security preparation for the event is made more challenging due to a series of complications. 

We interviewed Kevin O Hanlon, Senior Security Coordination Officer in Safety and Security Services (SSS) and COP 28 Security Coordinator, to learn about the unique challenges in preparing for a global event of the magnitude of COP28. 

1. What is the conference¡¯s anticipated size and who are the participants? 

The scale of this year's conference is set to surpass previous benchmarks, with a daily participant count expected to reach 30,000. This marks a 20% increase from the attendance at last year's COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.  

The participant list is extensive and diverse, including approximately 160 heads of states or governments (which is even more than the usual number at the General Assembly) and their delegates, 2,500 press and media personnel, 10,000 representatives from various NGOs, and 3,000 to 4,000 technical staff, all in initial estimation. 

2. Which venue hosts the COP 28? 

The hosting nation selects the specific venue, and this year's conference will take place at the same location as the International World Expo 2020. The venue is a circular arena that sits at Dubai's southern boundary with Abu Dhabi, and it is known for its striking magnificence.  

The site is well-developed, modern, and capacious. Picture the General Assembly Hall, but the side walls of a circular movie screen, and larger. It has a size that spans 4.4 square kilometers, equivalent to over 600 soccer fields, and can accommodate up to 20,000 individuals simultaneously. 

3. What are the security considerations related to the venue? 

During the COP event, the venue is split into two zones: the Blue Zone and the Green Zone. The Blue Zone is the hub for all Ãå±±½ûµØactivities, meetings, and negotiations. On the other hand, the Green Zone serves as a platform for the host country to display its climate innovations and advancements. It is more like a commercial exhibition that features private interests and initiatives. The security of the Blue Zone is under the control of UNDSS, while the Green Zone falls under the security jurisdiction of the Dubai police. 

Previously, the Blue and Green Zones were far apart from each other. However, for the COP conference this year, they will be adjacent to each other at Expo 2020. This presents a new challenge in effectively managing the flow of participants between the two zones every day. 

4. How does this year differ from previous ones? Are there any notable highlights? 

This year's event has set itself apart from previous ones due to its grand scale and the elevated expectations set by the UAE, which aims to make this COP the largest and most impactful one yet. However, with greater ambitions come higher stakes, which puts added pressure on the UNDSS security team.  

In addition to the high number of participants and unique venue requirements, the UAE is also hosting a parallel event - the World Climate Action Summit (WCAS). The WCAS features Heads of State and Government and serves as an opening event to COP 28. Despite being separate from the standard Ãå±±½ûµØplenary sessions, we have been tasked with securing it, and it will run concurrently with COP 28. 

5. Could you describe the coordination process with the host government?  

Our collaboration with the UAE police force is instrumental in establishing a comprehensive security plan and coordinating activities between the Blue and Green Zones. 

From the UNDSS side, we are deploying a team of 100+ personnel to the field who will operate within the Blue Zone. They will work in conjunction with local security personnel, including airport police, X-ray screeners, and private security, to form a united security team. The Dubai police will also provide us with assistance from outside venues. 

6. How many related missions have you completed and what future projects are planned? 

My first planning mission took place in July last year when we visited the Expo site. We assessed the area to discern what sections would be required for the Blue and Green Zones. Since then, we have undertaken three subsequent missions. 

During my most recent mission, I attended a 5-hour on-site meeting in UAE to review the national police¡¯s final comprehensive security plan. After their presentation on testing and contingency planning, we expect to have one more mission, which is a 'tabletop' exercise to simulate scenarios with the host country's support elements in the weeks preceding the conference.  

I expect all testing to be completed before our full deployment in November. My team is scheduled to arrive on November 24th and will undergo orientation for four days. On the 28th, we will take control of the venue, and the Blue Zone will function similarly to the Ãå±±½ûµØheadquarters.