Cop28
COP28, the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, is scheduled to be held from November 30 to December 12, 2023, in Expo City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This event is a crucial gathering of UNFCCC member countries to address and advance global efforts in mitigating climate change and adapting to its impacts.
Leadership:
Sultan Al Jaber serves as the President of COP28. The conference president plays a crucial role in guiding and overseeing the proceedings, negotiations, and agreements during the event. Their leadership is instrumental in ensuring the conference’s success.
Key Objectives:
Host Country:
Role of Civil Society and Technology:
Key Themes and Discussions:
COP28 President's Pledge
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the head honcho at COP28, spoke at the Global Faith Leaders' Summit in Abu Dhabi. He got handed the Abu Dhabi Interfaith Statement about climate change from religious leaders and vowed to spread their message far and wide during COP28.
High-Profile Summit
This summit went down with a lot of big names in the mix. It was hosted by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who's the President of the UAE. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, was there too, along with Professor Mohamed Al Duwani from Al Azhar Al Sharif and Cardinal Pietro Parolin from the Vatican. They all came to show their support for tackling climate change.
Pledge for Planetary Resurgence
At this gathering, 28 faith leaders got together to put their names on the 'Confluence of Conscience: Uniting for Planetary Resurgence,' also known as 'The Abu Dhabi Interfaith Statement for COP28.' Basically, they promised to step up and deal with climate change before COP28 kicks off in Dubai later in November.
Diverse Participation
The summit wasn't just a bunch of religious folks; it had some brainy academics and green experts too. Even António Guterres, the head honcho of the United Nations, beamed in via video to say his piece.
COP28's Crucial Mission
Dr. Al Jaber didn't hold back, saying that COP28 is a make-or-break moment for the world. It's a chance for everyone to come together and get ambitious plans in place to safeguard our planet, no matter where we come from, what we believe in, or who we are.
Collaborative Effort
This statement didn't just happen overnight; it was the result of months of teamwork between the Muslim Council of Elders (MCE), the COP28 Presidency, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), and the UAE Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence.
A Powerful Statement
Dr. Al Jaber was pretty pumped about this statement. He called it a "powerful statement of intent" and said the world needed to hear it. He also praised the unity and urgency it represented. He told the religious leaders that they're the voices for a lot of communities, and they inspire people to protect our planet.
Unity in a Divided World
He pointed out how they managed to unite different faiths in a divided world for a common cause, which is pretty cool.
Action for Climate and Vulnerability
This statement wasn't just about talk; it demanded action to keep global warming in check and help those who are most vulnerable to climate impacts. The signatories were all about expressing their shared concern and commitment to tackling this global crisis.
Progress Towards Climate Resilience
Just a couple of days before this summit, there was another meet-up in Abu Dhabi to establish a Loss and Damage Fund to help folks affected by climate disasters. Dr. Al Jaber was happy to report that they're making progress on that front, showing that when people come together, they can make multilateralism work for everyone, especially those most at risk.
