
The name COP refers to the english acronysm of the reunions of the State Parties on numerous International Treaties ("Conference of Parties"). However, due to the relevance of the subject within the international agenda, the name COP is related to Climate Change. These conferences are celebrated annually between the months of November and December. This year, the Conference will take place in Cancun, Mexico, yet it is important to highlight that it is the Convention ´s Secretariat that organizes them in conformity to the reunions standards established by the United Nations.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is composed of two general categories of participants: The State Parties and the observers. The observers are divided into Intergovernmental Organizations and Nongovernmental Organizations (article 7 section 6), who must register and accredit themselves before the Convention´s Secretariat in order to participate in the Conferences. Only the representatives of the registered organizations will be allowed to assist attend the sessions of the different bodies of the Convention, as observers.