His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the State, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, congratulated the UAE on winning the bid to host the important global climate conference "COP28" in 2023. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum affirmed that the announcement by the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change about the UAE hosting the 28th session of the "COP28" conference is a well-deserved choice for our nation, which will utilize all its capabilities to ensure the success of the conference.
In a tweet on his Twitter account, he stated: "We congratulate the UAE on winning the hosting of the most important global climate conference COP28 in 2023... A deserving choice for our nation... We will dedicate all our capabilities to ensure the success of the conference... The UAE will remain committed to global climate action to protect the planet."
For his part, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasized that the UAE welcomes cooperation with the international community to ensure human prosperity. He said in a tweet on his Twitter account: "We are pleased to host the UAE Climate Conference COP28 in 2023... Coordinating climate action efforts among the world's nations is an opportunity to enhance environmental protection and achieve sustainable economic growth, and we welcome collaboration with the international community to ensure human prosperity."
The secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change officially announced the UAE as the host for the 28th session of the "COP28" conference in 2023, which is the most significant international climate action conference with the participation of world leaders. This announcement came at the end of intensive activities that lasted for two weeks, during which approximately 200 countries participated to take joint action to curb greenhouse gas emissions globally and to unify efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change. The UAE had received the endorsement of the Asia-Pacific Group to host the 2023 session of the Conference of the Parties.
On this occasion, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, expressed his pleasure at the selection of the UAE by the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to host the COP28 conference in 2023, especially as this selection coincides with our preparations to celebrate the UAE's Golden Jubilee. He reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to supporting the international community's efforts to intensify cooperation aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change and the challenges it causes.
He added: "The founding father was keen on protecting the environment, and his approach has been an inspiration for the progress we have made in the field of environmental protection and the development and diversification of the economy over the past fifty years. This legacy will remain a beacon for us in our endeavors to ensure the welfare of today’s and future generations."
He continued: "We strive for the COP28 conference to be a forum for solutions, and I am confident that our young and open nation to the world will, through its extensive experience, drive towards finding practical solutions to the most pressing global challenges." His Highness clarified that the UAE's strategic initiative aimed at achieving climate neutrality by 2050 reflects our steadfast commitment to supporting climate action and that our many investments and partnerships around the world demonstrate our determination to assist other countries in facing the challenges of climate change.
He added: "We look forward to welcoming the world to the UAE during the COP28 conference to enhance the positive spirit we witness today, and we will ensure to amplify the voice of every country to guarantee the reduction of global warming impacts, and to open new horizons of opportunities that bring more growth, prosperity, and progress towards building a better life for future generations."
In turn, His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and the UAE's Special Envoy for Climate Change, delivered a speech during the COP conference in Glasgow, explaining that the confirmation of the UAE hosting the COP28 conference in 2023 comes thanks to the vision of wise leadership and the commitment to the sustainable development approach established by the founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace, and that this decision reflects the world's appreciation for the positive contributions that the UAE has made in the field of climate action.
He said: "We are very proud that my country, the United Arab Emirates, has confirmed hosting the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. We appreciate this responsibility, and we realize that the time has come for ambitious climate action, as scientific bodies have warned that time is running out to maintain safe temperature levels."
His Excellency added: "The UAE has extensive practical experience in initiatives to mitigate the impacts of climate change and in clean and renewable energy projects that create opportunities for sustainable economic and social growth... We look forward to receiving the world at the 28th session of the COP conference in 2023 in Abu Dhabi to double efforts and enhance work to reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change through a realistic, comprehensive, and integrated approach that focuses on finding practical and commercially viable solutions and applying the latest advanced technological innovations to develop our economies and improve the lives of our people."
His Excellency noted the UAE's focus on adopting a comprehensive approach, saying: "The COP28 conference will witness the first global assessment of how countries are progressing in implementing their Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, and it will allow us to launch a proactive, comprehensive approach that considers the needs and circumstances of various countries, both developed and developing, while unifying efforts within the international community."
Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Al Muhairi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, stated: "With the increasing climate risks that threaten all countries, we are honored to take the responsibility of hosting the COP28 conference. We will strive to support the international community in setting an ambitious plan focused on tangible progress and transforming challenges into opportunities for economic growth."
She added: "Thanks to the forward-looking vision of our wise leadership, the UAE has gained a global leading position in the international climate action movement. In 2023, on UAE soil - home of the International Renewable Energy Agency, and host of many international events focused on achieving sustainability and protecting the environment - world leaders will gather to continue and enhance efforts to face the climate change challenge."
She continued: "At COP28, we will focus on addressing the global challenges posed by climate change to the planet and the global economy as two sides of the same coin. We will further explore innovative, economically viable solutions capable of supporting and accelerating our efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. We are keen to share our successful approach in transforming challenges into growth opportunities to ensure a healthier and more sustainable planet for future generations."
