Stricter border controls hinder low-income countries from attending high-level meetings, affecting the representation of underprivileged nations.
In recent years, stricter border and visa regulations have been limiting the participation of citizens from the Global South in high-level international conferences, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), deepening inequalities in international representation and dialogue.
These restrictions are primarily due to complex, time-consuming visa processes that often require participants to apply well in advance. Host countries sometimes demand official documentation, such as Note Verbales or government credential letters, for visa approval, and participants without prior registration face difficulties entering the venue or country.
Furthermore, diplomatic or political tensions can lead to targeted visa restrictions or suspensions for particular nationalities. For instance, some countries have suspended visas for Russian or Belarusian nationals, and the U.S. has imposed visa constraints on officials from certain countries due to foreign policy concerns.
These restrictions disproportionately affect Global South participants, who may face longer processing times, visa validity limitations, single-entry allowances, or outright refusals – not because of merit but due to geopolitical dynamics and administrative hurdles. This hinders their ability to attend, engage, and influence international decision-making forums on pressing issues such as climate change.
One such example is Sudanese medical student Roaa, who was denied a visa to attend a medical workshop in Italy this month. Roaa, who had to leave Sudan in 2023 due to civil war, was preparing for the conference for over two months and had spent hundreds of dollars. Despite providing evidence, Roaa was told she did not submit sufficient proof to return home from Germany.
Similarly, Joseph Robert Linda, a medical student from the Middle East, was denied a visa for the International AIDS Conference in Munich, Germany, despite securing sponsorship. Linda's visa refusal was due to "reasonable doubts" about the authenticity of his documents and his intention to leave Germany.
These visa issues have led to a shift in the hosting locations for international conferences. The International AIDS Society (IAS) has been switching host cities for the International AIDS Conference since 2023 due to visa issues.
In an effort to diversify participation, the UNFCCC has taken steps to boost the quota for Global South delegates. Conference organizers are also urged to work more closely with authorities to get visas approved for more people to attend.
However, the issue extends beyond conferences, as virtual attendance requires stable and affordable internet, which is not available to many people worldwide. This further exacerbates the disparities in global representation and dialogue.
Saida, a Sudanese climate activist, emphasized the need for Global South citizens to keep demanding change regarding visa issues. Far-right and populist parties have made gains in Western countries, fueling anti-immigrant policies, which have contributed to the increasing rejection rates from the European Commission for Schengen visas, particularly for African applicants.
In 2024, Africans paid approximately 60 million euros for rejected Schengen visa applications, up from nearly 54 million euros in 2023. This highlights the need for a more equitable and accessible visa system that does not hinder the participation of Global South citizens in critical international discussions.
In conclusion, complex visa requirements, political considerations, and administrative delays constitute the main reasons why stricter border and visa regulations curtail Global South nationals’ presence at key global conferences, deepening inequalities in international representation and dialogue. Efforts must be made to address these issues and ensure a more inclusive and equitable global dialogue.
- Stricter visa regulations, despite leading to inequality in international representation at climate change conferences like the UNFCCC, are not just due to administrative hurdles but also the lack of access to education and self-development opportunities, as shown by cases like Roaa's denial for a medical workshop or Joseph Robert Linda's rejection for the International AIDS Conference.
- The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) should consider incorporating initiatives related to education-and-self-development and sports in its efforts to boost the quota for Global South delegates, as these sectors can provide additional avenues for representation and engagement, promoting a more inclusive global dialogue on climate change.
