After three weeks of mid-year climate talks conducted online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Patricia Espinosa urged countries to set aside their differences and collaborate in the months leading up to the crucial COP26 negotiations in Glasgow. Despite the challenges of virtual work, governments were praised for effective engagement and progress in areas such as aligning emissions-cutting goals and enhancing transparency in reporting climate action. However, disagreements persist on the rules for global carbon markets, requiring higher-level political guidance, according to the UN climate body. Espinosa emphasized the importance of ongoing efforts to achieve significant progress before COP26, stressing the high stakes involved. "I am encouraging all of us to meet the challenges of our time, to complete the necessary tasks, to bridge our differences, and to keep our promises." The June discussions marked the first official UN climate talks since the end of 2019, as the pandemic caused delays. The COP26 summit has the responsibility of finalizing regulations for the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change to ensure its full implementation, according to UN officials. "Success at COP26 is crucial," Espinosa stated to reporters on Thursday. "It is a crucial test of our efforts against the climate crisis, it is vital for a sustainable recovery, and it demonstrates the importance of multilateralism during these critical times." Many countries have not yet submitted more ambitious climate action plans that were expected last year under the Paris agreement, as the pandemic disrupted the process. Governments have not made enough progress in reducing emissions to meet the goals of the Paris agreement, according to the United Nations. Wealthy nations failing to fulfill their promises of climate finance to help poorer countries transition to renewable energy and adapt to climate change is also hindering progress. The pandemic has further complicated matters, with developing nations struggling to secure access to vaccines, potentially affecting their ability to attend the upcoming COP26 summit. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, as the conference host, stated that his government was in discussions with the United Nations on how 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 COP 26 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. She also emphasized the need for 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 faced criticism for failing to meet their promise to raise $100 billion annually from 2020 to assist developing countries in addressing climate change. Critics of the G7 leaders at a recent summit were disappointed by the lack of a clear plan to meet their climate pledge, despite fresh commitments from Germany and Canada. The virtual nature of this month's UN climate talks also hindered progress, with technical difficulties causing delays in formal decisions. To expedite the process, Alok Sharma, the UK official leading COP26, plans to bring together 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 disclosed that London is collaborating with partners on a plan to provide vaccines to all accredited COP26 delegates, including government officials, green group representatives, and media personnel, with more details to be announced soon.