(Ecofin Agency) - The UN's COP 26 climate change conference initially scheduled to take place in November 2020 in the city of Glasgow, in Scotland, has just been postponed to 2021 because of the current coronavirus pandemic.

“The world is currently facing an unprecedented global challenge and countries are rightly focusing their efforts on saving lives and fighting Covid-19. That is why we have decided to reschedule Cop26,” said Alok Sharma (pictured), President of the COP 26 Conference.

According to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), this rescheduling will enable all parties to focus on questions to be discussed and have more time to get ready for the event.

“Postponing COP 26 is the right thing to do. Priority should be given to public health. The UK Presidency of the COP and all governments should use this time to devise exit plans that address resilience and integrate climate, biodiversity, development and social justice. This crisis shows that international cooperation and solidarity are essential to protect global well-being and stability. Next year's COP 26 will be an opportunity to revitalize global cooperation,” said Laurence Tubiana, Executive Director of the European Climate Foundation.