Tight security and last-minute hustle as Cop27 opens in Sharm El Sheikh

Red Sea resort is almost unrecognisable in some parts after major sprucing up

People look at a map while arriving for the COP27 U. N. Climate Summit, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. (AP Photo / Peter Dejong)

Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh prepared to receive global leaders for nearly two weeks of talks on curbing climate change with a flurry of last-minute activity before the formal opening of Cop27 on Sunday.

Long known for its pristine sea waters and golden beaches, as well as coral reefs at risk from global warming, many parts of the city are almost unrecognisable after four months of sprucing up at a cost of billions of pounds.

New five-lane motorways now connect hotels where the delegates will stay to the conference venue, the International Convention Centre. The roads have been built without speed breakers to allow the motorcades of presidents, prime ministries and other top-level officials to dart from their hotels to the conference venue and back without hindrance.

With about 200 heads of state and government representatives among the 45,000 participants, security is tight throughout the city, particularly at the venue.

A sign at the venue of the climate summit in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh. Getty

The police presence at hotels is heavier than usual, while armed officers in combat fatigues are posted along roads to the venue and plainclothes policemen, conspicuous in suits and ties, keep watch on roads near the conference centre. People entering the venue must go through airport-level security checks.

Egyptians coming into Sharm El Sheikh by road have been subjected to intense searches and identity checks in recent weeks, with police in some cases demanding documents to explain their reason for visiting. Passengers arriving at the city's airport on domestic flights are requested to scan their passports if they are participating in the conference.

The main entrance of the International Convention Centre in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh where the UN climate summit is being held. AFP

The roads to the venue are adorned with billboards bearing climate-related phrases such as “Return nature to its nature” and “From ambition to work”, but no billboards featuring President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, which can be seen on most main roads in the capital Cairo and other major cities in the country of 104 million.

As is usually the case with conferences of this size, last-minute work continued at the venue until just hours before the official opening on Sunday.

Technicians were connecting communication cables, porters were ferrying new chairs and desks still wrapped in nylon into conference rooms, and the rattling of trolleys laden with office equipment being pushed by workers in blue overalls filled the air in the venue’s hallways.

The opening day of Cop27 in Sharm El Sheikh — in pictures

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arriving in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, to attend the Cop27 summit. Getty Images

A dancer performs the 'Tanoura' during a street performance in Sharm El Sheikh. EPA

Cop27 President Sameh Shoukry speaks at the climate change conference in Sharm El Sheikh on Sunday. EPA

Participants and delegates meet in the Pacific Island pavilion at the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre, on the first day of Cop27. AFP

Participants meet at the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre on the first day of Cop27. AFP

Simon Stiell, the executive secretary of the UN's Framework Convention on Climate Change speaks at the climate summit in Sharm El Sheikh. EPA

Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Hoesung Lee attends the Cop27 opening ceremony. AFP

From left to right, the UN's climate change communications officer, Alexander Saier; Simon Stiell, the executive secretary of the UN's Framework Convention on Climate Change; and Cop27 President Sameh Shoukry listen to questions following the opening ceremony. AFP

Alok Sharma, president of the Cop26 climate summit, speaks at Cop27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. AP

Delegates arrive at Cop27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Mahmoud Nasr / The National

Delegates arrive at Cop27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Mahmoud Nasr / The National

Delegates arrive at Cop27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Mahmoud Nasr / The National

Activists demonstrate at the entrance of the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre. Reuters

Delegates arrive at the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre for Cop27. AFP

More than 120 world leaders plan to attend the crucial event in Sharm El Sheikh. Reuters

The summit comes at a critical moment with the world regularly experiencing extreme weather events that many – including the UN – have linked to climate change. Reuters

Two key areas on the agenda are trying to keep the Paris goal of 1.5ºC warming on pre-industrial levels alive and the issue of finance. AP

The summit begins in earnest on Monday when world leaders arrive at the summit for two days of intense talks. They will also deliver addresses to the event. Reuters

A delegate from the Cook Islands. AP

The main entrance of the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre in Egypt where the Cop27 climate summit is opening today. Reuters

Participants visit the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre. AFP

Participants at the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre. Reuters

The climate summit will run from Sunday to Friday, November 18 at the Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh. AFP

Participants at the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre before Cop27 opens. AFP

Finance and compensation are expected to dominate two weeks of tough talks in Sharm El Sheikh. Reuters

It is also expected Cop27 will hear calls for the historically controversial issue of 'loss and damage' funds to be placed on the agenda for the first time. AFP

Pledges on forests and methane made at last year’s Cop26 that are signed by more countries would be welcome. Reuters

An illumination of Khafre Pyramid, one of the three ancient pyramids of Giza. AFP