After three weeks of virtual mid-year climate talks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Patricia Espinosa urged nations to set aside their differences and collaborate before the upcoming COP26 negotiations in Glasgow. Despite the challenges of remote work, governments have made progress in areas such as emissions-cutting goals and transparency in reporting climate action. However, disagreements remain regarding global carbon market rules, requiring higher-level political guidance. Espinosa emphasized the importance of ongoing efforts to make significant progress before COP26, as there is a lot at stake according to the top UN official. "I am encouraging all of us to meet the challenge of our time, to complete the task at hand, to bridge our differences, and to keep our promises." The June meetings were the initial official UN climate discussions since the conclusion of 2019, as a result of delays from the pandemic. The COP26 summit has been given the responsibility of finalizing regulations for the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change in order for the agreement to be fully enforced, according to UN officials. "Success at COP26 is essential," Espinosa stated to reporters on Thursday. "It is a crucial test of our efforts against the climate crisis - it is crucial for a sustainable recovery and it demonstrates the importance of global cooperation during this crucial time." Many countries have not yet submitted updated climate action plans as required by the Paris agreement, a delay caused by the pandemic. The emissions reductions pledged by governments are still far from what is necessary to achieve the Paris goals of limiting global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius, according to the United Nations. The failure of wealthy nations to fulfill their promises of climate finance to assist poorer countries in transitioning to renewable energy and adapting to climate change impacts is also causing concern. The pandemic has further complicated matters, with developing nations struggling to obtain vaccines, potentially affecting their ability to attend the COP26 summit in person. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, as the conference host, announced this month that his government is working with the United Nations to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to accredited delegations who may not have access otherwise. Diann Black-Layne of Antigua and Barbuda, representing the Alliance of Small Island States, expressed concerns about the uncertainty of the road to COP26 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. She also emphasized the need for substantial progress on climate finance, calling for a new financial goal at COP26 for nations vulnerable to climate change. Sonam P Wangdi of Bhutan, chair of the group of least developed countries at the UN talks, echoed the importance of delivering on climate finance for the success of the conference. Rich nations have been criticized for failing to meet their promise to raise $100 billion annually from 2020 to assist poorer countries in addressing climate change. Criticism was directed towards G7 leaders for not providing a clear plan on how they would fulfill their pledge at a recent summit, despite Germany and Canada committing additional funds. The virtual nature of this month's UN climate talks led to a lack of formal decisions and technical difficulties for some delegates. To expedite progress, Alok Sharma, the UK official overseeing COP26, intends to convene ministers from over 40 countries in London in late July. Britain's lead climate negotiator, Archie Young, acknowledged the need for more clarity on issues such as vaccinations and logistics for COP26. Sharma announced plans to collaborate with partners on offering vaccines to all accredited COP26 attendees, including government officials, green group representatives, and members of the media, with further details to be provided soon.