Egypt: The sprawling event of COP27 UN Climate Conference in the Red Sea Resort of Sharm el-Sheikh hosted 35000 people from 195 countries. But this year, the participants complained about their wheelchair struggles, scarce drinking water, $15 sandwiches, and hotel price-gouging at the climate summit.
Pratima Gurung who works with a disability advocacy group said that the Disability Rights Fund’s Krishna Gahatraj was left in the middle of the road ‘multiple times’ while waiting for shuttle buses. Journalists in a hangar-like media center could be seen wrapped in jackets and shawls to protect themselves against the industrial-strength air-conditioning.
It is also reported that during the first week of the conference which extends till November 18, water dispensers stood empty for hours at a stretch. Moreover, the food items were levied exorbitant food prices that became problem for those who visited on a tight budget.
Earlier on November 6, tourist hotels in Egypt tripled or quadrupled their room rates, even if the bookings were confirmed in advance. Well before COP 27 kicked off, some delegates arrived to find their reservations canceled. Previously in February, a few activists raised inclusivity concerns. The tourism ministry established a list of minimum prices for hotels during the UN climate conference. Contrarily, a spokesperson from the hotel association claimed that the decision to raise hotel rates following a decision from the government committee in charge of organizing COP27.
The COP27 Summit was expected to highlight the inclusivity and focus on adaptation and resilience. It was expected to give voice to millions of Africans on frontline of climate crisis. However, the glitches of COP27 show a different picture.