COP21 Day 1: Welcome to the Circus

COP21 kicked off with the arrival of 150 Heads of State (including Barack Obama, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Samoa’s Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi). The plenary sessions today were, therefore, filled by opening speeches. While this may seem like a lot of hot air taking up precious negotiation time, Su Wei (Head of the Chinese Delegation) made the important point that the presence of these Heads of State will help create the political momentum and pressure needed to arrive at an agreement.

As an addition to the official Samoan delegation, I am unfortunately unable to attend the plenary sessions, so my day largely consisted of taking in my surroundings. By the end of the afternoon I had attended an informative side event on key issues for COP21 and begun conducting background research for the delegation. But for now, let’s focus on setting the scene.

The conference center essentially consists of a series of very large, warehouse-style buildings. What they have done with these buildings is truly impressive. (Whether or not it is too impressive is perhaps a topic for another post.) 

For starters, art work – including a mini Eiffel Tower – is scattered throughout the conference center.

Vegas is not the only place with a mini Eiffel Tower

Flags at the main entrance of the conference center

The delegation offices and pavilions are beyond anything I could have imagined. From the dance performance outside the Peruvian pavilion to the large, hanging globe with moving meteorological images at the US Center, you almost feel like you’re at a world fair. And behind all the pomp and circumstance are offices where delegation members can privately meet and strategize. It’s important to note that not all delegations have these pavilions/offices; it’s a plus that a country – or, in the case of Samoa, an intergovernmental organization like the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) – elects to pay for.

A cultural performance at the front of the Peruvian pavillion

The main presentation area for the US Center comes complete with a floating globe 

Finally, the conference center is filled with crowds. Lots and lots of crowds. While each hall has a large amount of seating, people were still circling in search of available chairs, plugs, and computers. And while it may not have been the original intention, much of the larger artwork also become spillover seating.

Work spaces are available throughout the conference center - and fill up very quickly.

Conference center artwork also serves as extra seats when there are no free spots to be found.

Overall, Day 1 was a very full day of discovery. And now, let the actual negotiations begin!