Abu Dhabi (WAM)
The General Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change has officially announced that the UAE will host the twenty-eighth session of the “COP28” Conference in 2023, which is the most important and largest international conference on climate action with the participation of world leaders and leaders.
The announcement came at the conclusion of intense two-week activities, in which about 200 countries participated in taking joint measures to put an end to greenhouse gas emissions globally, and to unify efforts to reduce the repercussions of climate change. The UAE had obtained the support of the Asia-Pacific Group to host the 2023 session. from the Conference of the States Parties.
On this occasion, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said: “We are pleased that the General Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change has chosen the UAE to host the Conference of Parties (COP28) in 2023, especially as this choice coincides with our preparations to celebrate the golden jubilee. of the UAE and we affirm our continued commitment to support the efforts of the international community aimed at intensifying cooperation with the aim of limiting the repercussions of climate change and the challenges it causes.”
His Highness added: “The founding father was keen on protecting the environment, and his approach was a catalyst and source of inspiration for the progress we have made in the field of environment and the development and diversification of the economy over the past fifty years, and this legacy will remain a beacon for us in our endeavors to ensure the well-being of today’s and tomorrow’s generations.”
His Highness continued, “We seek for the Conference of Parties (COP28) to be a forum for solutions, and I am sure that our young and open country will be able, through its deep experience, to push for practical solutions to the most pressing global challenges.”
His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan said that the UAE’s strategic initiative to achieve climate neutrality 2050 reflects our firm commitment to support climate action, and that our numerous investments and partnerships around the world demonstrate our determination to support other countries in facing the challenges of climate change.
His Highness added: “We look forward to welcoming the world to the UAE during COP28 to enhance the spirit of positive action that we are witnessing today, and we will make sure to amplify the voice of each country to ensure the reduction of global warming effects and open new horizons of opportunities that bring more growth, prosperity and progress towards building a life Better for future generations.
His Highness said in a tweet on the social networking site “Twitter”: “We thank the UNFCCC Secretariat for choosing the UAE to host the United Nations Climate Conference in 2023.”
His Highness added: “COP28 will be a conference for solutions, and we are pleased to share with the world our experience in providing practical solutions to pressing global challenges and benefiting from the expertise and experiences of others.”
comprehensive approach
For his part, His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and the UAE’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, delivered a speech during the Conference of the Parties in Glasgow, during which he explained that the confirmation of the UAE’s hosting of the Conference of Parties “COP28” in 2023 comes thanks to the vision of the wise leadership and commitment to the development approach. This decision reflects the world’s appreciation for the positive contributions made by the state in the field of climate action.
His Excellency said: “We are extremely pleased and proud that my country, the United Arab Emirates, has been confirmed to host the twenty-eighth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), explaining that “we appreciate this responsibility, and we realize that the time has come.” To take ambitious climate action, scientific bodies have warned that time is running out for the possibility of maintaining safe levels of rising temperatures.”
His Excellency added: “The UAE has great practical experience in initiatives to mitigate the repercussions of climate change and clean and renewable energy projects that create opportunities for sustainable economic and social growth. We look forward to welcoming the world to the twenty-eighth session of the Conference of Parties (COP28) in 2023 in Abu Dhabi to double Efforts and strengthening work to reduce emissions and adapt to the repercussions of climate change through a realistic, comprehensive and integrated methodology that focuses on finding practical and commercially viable solutions, and applying the latest advanced technology innovations to develop our economies and improve the lives of our people.”
His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber referred to the UAE’s focus on adopting a comprehensive approach, saying: “COP28” conference will witness the first global assessment of the progress of countries in implementing their specific contributions under the Paris Agreement, and will allow us to launch a comprehensive proactive approach that takes into account the needs and conditions of various developed countries. and developing countries, while uniting the efforts of the international community. His Excellency congratulated the brothers in the Arab Republic of Egypt on their winning of hosting the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties, explaining that the UAE will cooperate with partners everywhere to identify lessons learned in order to achieve effective results, stressing the keenness on the participation of all segments of society in these efforts to contribute to changing the course of humanity towards a better future.
His Excellency concluded: “We will work to make this hosting a platform for finding successful and viable solutions that are in line with the vision of the wise leadership to create opportunities for sustainable economic and social growth.”
Turning challenges into opportunities
Her Excellency Maryam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Al Muhairi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said: With the escalation of climate risks that threaten all countries of the world, we are honored to assume the responsibility of hosting the Conference of the Parties (COP28). We will be keen to support the international community to develop an ambitious plan that focuses on actual progress and transforming challenges into opportunities for economic growth ».
Her Excellency added: “Thanks to the forward-looking vision of our wise leadership, the UAE has become a global leader in the global movement for climate action, and in 2023, on the land of the UAE – the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency, and the incubator of many international events focused on achieving sustainability and protecting the environment – world leaders will meet To continue and enhance the process of addressing the challenge of climate change.”
Her Excellency Maryam Al Muhairi continued: At COP28, we will focus on dealing with the global challenges posed by climate change on the planet and the global economy as two sides of the same coin, and we will enhance the exploration of innovative, economically viable solutions capable of supporting and accelerating our work to reduce global warming when 1.5°C, we are eager to share our successful approach to turning challenges into growth opportunities to ensure a healthier and more sustainable planet for future generations.”
Her Excellency added: “In the UAE, we believe in empowering young people and involving them in shaping the future, and we will be keen to support the highest levels of youth participation in delegations and all the work and events of the Conference of the States Parties to COP28.”
Launching the “Agricultural Innovation for Climate” initiative
The “COP26” conference witnessed the official announcement of the launch of the “Agri-Climate Innovation Initiative”, a major global initiative led by the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America with the participation of 30 other countries. The initiative, whose initial commitments amount to $4 billion, aims to accelerate work on developing Climate-smart food and agricultural systems over the next five years.
The UAE pledged an additional investment of $1 billion as part of this initiative, which focuses on accelerating the innovation of agricultural and food systems that support climate action. The initiative seeks to enhance the economic contribution of the agricultural sector and provide greater job opportunities in this vital sector, which today provides more than two billion jobs and provides food. For all the inhabitants of the planet.
The UAE has also joined the Global Methane Pledge based on its position as one of the lowest emitters of methane in the world. The country will share its best practices in managing methane emissions with members of the initiative led by the European Union and the United States, which aims to reduce global methane emissions by 30% % by the end of the current decade. The UAE has always played a leading regional role in reducing methane emissions. Over the past five decades, the country has succeeded in reducing natural gas flaring levels in the local energy sector by more than 90%.
In turn, the oil and gas sector in the UAE today has one of the lowest levels of methane emissions intensity in the world at just 0.01%. The country will work to enhance its methane performance based on this very low base in the energy sector. During the COP26 conference, the UAE, in cooperation with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), announced the launch of a platform to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy solutions and projects, which aims to provide new global funding to accelerate the transition to renewable energy solutions in developing countries.
The UAE pledged to provide $400 million through the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development to support this platform in raising at least $1 billion in funding. The UAE, represented by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, also announced a roadmap to achieve leadership in the field of hydrogen, a comprehensive national plan aimed at supporting low-carbon local industries, contributing to achieving climate neutrality and strengthening the country’s position as a hydrogen exporter. The road map includes three main objectives, which are to provide new sources of value creation through the export of low-carbon hydrogen and its derivatives and products to the main import areas, and to enhance opportunities for new hydrogen derivatives through low-carbon steel and sustainable kerosene, in addition to other priority industries, which contribute to achieving Climate neutrality by 2050.
The country has also raised the goal of planting mangroves – according to the second report of its nationally determined contributions – from 30 million to 100 million trees by 2030, as a step in support of the country’s leading position in relying on nature-based solutions in the face of the challenge of climate change, and through this goal, forest areas will reach Crimea in the country to 483 square kilometers and will capture 115,000 tons of carbon dioxide.
.