The COP 28 climate summit has officially opened.
UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change, Sultan Al Jaber, assumed the role of COP28 President in the formal passing of the gavel from his predecessor, COP27 President, Sameh Shoukry.
United Nation’s annual climate summit officially runs from November 30 to December 12, 2023 in Dubai.
Sameh Shoukry, COP27 President, said, “As I today perform my very last duty as COP President, as Egypt hands over the baton of responsibility for global climate action to the UAE, I am confident that addressing these challenges will be the focus of incoming President Sultan Al Jaber and his able team.”
“The science has spoken,” Sultan Al Jaber, the COP28 President told delegates.
“It has confirmed the moment is now to find a new road, a road wide enough for all of us, free of the obstacles and detours of the past. That new road starts with a decision on the Global Stocktake (GST), a decision that is ambitious, corrects course and accelerates action to 2030.”
Sultan Al Jaber
Global Stocktake (GST) refers to a scorecard analysing countries’ progress towards the Paris Agreement.
Starting two weeks of intense climate negotiations, Al Jaber used his first official speech as COP President to urge delegates to unite around the year’s agenda.
Sultan Al Jaber said, “Let’s rise above our differences to make the difference for future generations. You have the power to do something unprecedented.”
“Let’s unite around the agenda and restore our faith in multilateralism,” the COP28 President noted.
“I pledge that I will run an inclusive and transparent process, one that encourages free and open discussion between all parties,” Al Jaber added.
Al Jaber asserted that the UAE reflects the spirit needed at summit.
“We may be a young nation – but we have big ambitions, and hold fast to principles like collaboration, optimism, true partnership, determination and commitment. These are the ingredients that make up the DNA of the UAE.
“And it’s these core values of trust, purpose, partnership and pragmatism that I believe must define COP28.”
Sultan Al Jaber
In his address, Al Jaber reiterated calls to bridge the global adaptation finance gap, and urged parties to deliver on the promise of a fully operational Loss and Damage fund.
“Let’s put nature, lives, and livelihoods at the core of our national plans,” he said.
He urged the delegates to finally face the issues that are critical to adaptation, like water, food, agriculture, and health, adding that COP28 will be the first to host a climate health ministerial.
“This Presidency is committed to unlocking finance to ensure that the Global South does not have to choose between development and climate action,” he noted.
Al Jaber Seeks To Promote Clean Energy
The COP28 President also noted the importance of decarbonising the existing energy system.
He said, “Let history reflect the fact that this is the Presidency that made a bold choice to proactively engage with oil and gas companies.”
“We had many discussions. Let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. But now, many of these companies are committing to zeroing out methane emissions by 2030 for the first time. And many national oil companies have adopted net zero by 2050 targets for the first time.”
Sultan Al Jaber
Al Jaber also called for consensus around a framework for the future energy system.
“I know there are strong views about the idea of including language on fossil fuels and renewables in the negotiated text,” he noted.
“I ask you to work together,” he urged delegates.
He averred, “Be flexible, find common ground, come forward with solutions, and achieve consensus. And never lose sight of our North Star of 1.5.”
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