COP31 press accreditation runs through a two-stage system: every journalist first registers individually in the UNFCCC Online Registration System (ORS), and then each newsroom’s single designated media focal point nominates the organisation’s whole team through the Indico UN platform. Journalists who want to report from the summit in Antalya should complete both stages well ahead of the conference.
FAKTA
- Event: the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31), 9–20 November 2026, Antalya, Türkiye.
- Two stages: (1) each journalist registers individually in the UNFCCC Online Registration System (ORS); (2) the organisation’s single media focal point submits the team’s nomination on the Indico UN platform.
- One focal point: each media organisation designates one person authorised to assign staff for the meeting — no individual registrations are approved before the focal point’s nomination.
- Who can apply: professional journalists representing bona fide media organisations formally registered in a country recognised by the UN General Assembly.
- Cost: none — there is no accreditation fee.
- Decision: accreditation decisions rest solely with the UNFCCC secretariat; denied applicants may request a written explanation and file one appeal.
How the two-stage COP31 press accreditation works
The process is deliberately sequenced. First, each assigned journalist creates a personal account and application in the UNFCCC’s Online Registration System, uploading the required documentation. The secretariat states that online accreditation is the only official channel — nominations sent by any other method are not processed.
Step 1: individual registration in the ORS
Each reporter, photographer, camera operator or audio technician applies as an individual through the ORS. The application sits pending until the organisation’s focal point completes the second stage, at which point approved personnel have their registrations confirmed automatically.
Step 2: the media focal point nominates the team
The organisation registers one person as its media focal point on the Indico UN platform. The focal point submits a letter of assignment on official letterhead — addressed to the UN Climate Change Press Office and signed by the focal point’s supervisor — confirming the organisation, the meeting and dates to be covered, and the planned type of coverage, together with a list of assigned personnel including full names, email addresses and roles.
Who qualifies for a COP31 press badge
Accreditation is reserved for media professionals working in print, photography, radio, television, film, news agencies and online media. The UNFCCC secretariat must be satisfied that each applicant represents a bona fide media organisation formally registered as a media organisation in a country recognised by the United Nations General Assembly. The secretariat may withdraw or deny accreditation to outlets whose activities run counter to the principles of the UN Charter, and it may cap the number of accredited media to manage the conference.
Decisions, appeals and what accreditation does not guarantee
Accreditation is decided at the UNFCCC’s discretion, applied consistently and without discrimination. If accreditation is denied, the applicant or their editor may request a brief written explanation and submit one appeal with additional supporting information. Changes to an organisation’s personnel list after nomination should be sent to the UNFCCC press office.
Newsrooms should also note that accreditation does not guarantee a visa — host-country visa arrangements are handled separately — and accreditations from earlier UNFCCC conferences do not carry over to COP31.
What this means for newsrooms
The single-focal-point model means a newsroom cannot simply send reporters who registered on their own: without a completed nomination from the designated focal point, individual ORS applications stay pending. Organisations planning coverage from Antalya should designate their focal point early, gather assignment letters and staff lists, and complete both stages of COP31 press accreditation well before the November summit.
Read more on Watan News: COP31 media access.
