The UAE is ready to host the upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP28) this November, and is playing a pivotal role in advancing global climate initiatives, safeguarding our natural environment and the Earth, and paving the way for a brighter future for subsequent generations, a top UAE government official has said.
With the 100-day countdown to the COP 28 beginning today, Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, the UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, has affirmed the country’s readiness to host the event in collaboration with all associated partners and entities.
With 2023 being the UAE’s ‘Year of Sustainability’, the 100 days before COP28 will see a myriad of initiatives unveiled by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, along with other governmental and private entities in the country. The minister said these endeavours will “further our environmental and climate objectives across different sectors”.
“Today marks the start of the 100-day countdown to the Conference of the Parties events in the UAE. This is a moment we have been looking forward to, as it highlights the UAE’s efforts in tackling climate change on both a national and international scale. We see COP28 in the UAE as a living testament to our achievements and a hopeful glimpse into the future. It represents a crucial juncture in our commitment to assist humanity in confronting one of its most profound challenges,” Almheiri said.
“The UAE’s approach to climate action hinges on inclusivity and synchronised efforts across a spectrum of stakeholders, encompassing federal and local government bodies, the private sector, and community members from diverse backgrounds. This united strategy guarantees broad participation, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to tackle climate change, adjust to its socio-economic impacts, meet our international environmental pledges, and aim to aims to limit the global temperature rise to well below 2°C and to pursue efforts to further limit it to 1.5°C. This objective remains within the world’s reach.
Gearing up for COP28
“As we gear up for COP28, our focus remains on forging a resilient climate and ecological future, collaborating closely with all stakeholders to amplify our conference’s global goals. Recent times have showcased the UAE’s unwavering commitment to its climate pledges, especially with the update of our Nationally Determined Contributions and the bold target of cutting emissions by 40% by 2030, based on the business-as-usual scenario.
“This aligns with the UAE’s goal of reaching Net Zero by 2050, complemented by the introduction of the National Hydrogen Strategy and the revised National Energy Strategy 2050. Additionally, there has been a surge in collaborative endeavours with the local community and the private sector, all aimed at bolstering the UAE’s environmental initiatives, from emission reduction and sustainable food security to biodiversity conservation, nature preservation, sustainable financing, the circular economy, and more.”
She added that the UAE will host COP28 with a developmental blueprint that “emphasises sustainability and reinforces the UAE’s leading position in this crucial domain” with “collaboration and inclusivity” at the heart of the country’s endeavours.
“We will transform climate change challenges into opportunities and, united in our efforts, we will ensure that COP28 becomes a defining moment in the UAE’s and humanity’s pursuit of a sustainable future marked by prosperity, development, and global advancement,” Almheiri added.