His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, were briefed on the latest preparations for hosting COP28, in the presence of members of the Higher Committee overseeing the planning.
H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said: “Since its inception, the UAE has embarked on a journey of transformative change. Sustainable development and climate action are integral parts of our strategy to achieve continued economic and social growth for both present and future generations.”
His Highness emphasized the UAE’s commitment to its global convening role, in line with the legacy of its Founding Father, the Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and pledged to advance the environmental and economic well-being of communities worldwide, both in the present and future, according to WAM.
His Highness highlighted the importance of engaging all sectors of society in COP28 and urged the Higher Committee to encourage stakeholders across government, private, academic, and civil society spheres to participate actively in the lead-up to the event.
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid reiterated the UAE’s approach to tackling climate change by unlocking innovative and feasible opportunities for sustainable development and shared prosperity. His Highness stressed the importance of uniting the global community at COP28 UAE, inviting participants from all over the world to continue the UAE’s mission of “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.”
H.H. Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Chairman of the COP28 Higher Committee and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, emphasized that the UAE is ideally situated at the crossroads of the world, enabling it to bridge the gap between the Global North and the Global South. He further stated that the UAE can play a vital role in delivering tangible progress towards a climate-secure world while offering opportunities for sustainable socio-economic development. His Highness urged COP28 UAE to move from pledges to actions and collaborate with all stakeholders who want to contribute to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement across key climate pillars.
H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President-Designate, summarized the “Road to COP28” event, the first event hosted by the COP28 Presidency. The event, held at Expo City Dubai on 15 March, focused on increasing youth engagement and raising awareness about climate change to mobilize all sectors of society in the lead-up to COP28. The event drew over 3,000 participants, including government officials, foreign diplomats, students, young climate advocates, people of determination, senior citizens, and representatives of sustainable businesses.
