A Night Out In Warsaw

Following UNFCCC tradition, Saturday’s NGO party was held in Warsaw and was in sharp contrast to last years extravagant desert safari fiesta. Festivities instead were held in a typical Polish club. Apparently “there are better places to party in Warsaw”, according to the cloakroom clerk.

Regardless of the venue, the NGO party has become an institution within the process. It is both an opportunity for delegates to wind-down after a long week, but also connect more socially outside of the official negotiations.

It is a well attended event by both NGO observers and party officials with the secretariat often making an appearance as well. Whilst, Christiana Figueres the UNFCCC Executive Secretary was missing last night, the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth Ahmad Alhendawi was spotted with a sea of youth around him.

The opportunity to connect with people who would normally only communicate through diplomatic norms or lobbying is refreshing, and can also be quite productive. There’s also the added bonus of bad Polish pop music in the background.

Although the NGO party is something many delegates look forward to, the real party will be when the negotiations finally come to an end with an agreement that is fair, ambitious and legally binding.

By Andrew Johnson, no official photos are traditionally taken at the NGO party. Top photo by Kuba Bożanowski.