COP28 President-Designate Dr Sultan Al Jaber has said, “It is critical that we focus on the needs of the most vulnerable communities and make transformational progress across mitigation, adaptation, finance and loss and damage.”
He came up with the observation at UN Climate Change Conference in Born, Germany on June 11.
Events at the Bonn conference, running from June 5-15, include discussions on issues such as the global stocktake, adaptation goals, transition, the loss and damage fund, and other mitigation efforts, said a media release from the United Arab Emirates embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday.
“We will prioritize an inclusive approach to guide the highest level of ambition in our response to the Global Stocktake… ensuring a just and balanced energy transition that leaves no one behind.” Sultan Al Jaber said.
“It is critical that we build on the successes of COP27 to focus on the needs of the most vulnerable communities and make transformational progress across mitigation, adaptation, finance and loss and damage,” he said. “The phase down of fossil fuels is inevitable. The speed at which this happens depends on how quickly we can phase up zero carbon alternatives, while ensuring energy security, accessibility, and affordability.
We are committed to ensuring all groups, all stakeholders, are fully engaged. We need a COP of action, a COP of solidarity, and a COP of unity”, he added.
In his remarks to the Heads of Delegation of all Negotiating Groups and Parties under the UNFCCC, Al Jaber said, “The COP28 Presidency recognizes the views of many in this room that the Global Stocktake, and by extension COP28, must be a turning point. We must respond to the Stocktake with a pragmatic and effective way forward to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.”
Dr Sultan Al Jaber, met with heads of delegations and key negotiating groups including those from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) at the Bonn UN Climate Change Conference, being held in the run up to COP28, emphasizing the need to engage and listen to all voices in the climate change discussion ─ especially those of the Global South.
Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion highlighted her longstanding commitments to nature and biodiversity and the critical role they will play in delivering a successful outcome. She also emphasized the importance for inclusion to cut across every aspect of the COP process especially those most vulnerable to ensure that every voice is heard and that every stakeholder feels empowered to participate in the shared commitment to combatting climate change.
It is noted that COP28 UAE will take place at Expo City Dubai from November 30-December 12, 2023.
The Conference is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors.
As mandated by the Paris Climate Agreement, COP28 UAE will deliver the first ever Global Stocktake – a comprehensive evaluation of progress against climate goals.
The UAE will lead a process for all parties to agree upon a clear roadmap to accelerate progress through a pragmatic global energy transition and a “leave no one behind” approach to inclusive climate action, it said.
Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul
