On Thursday, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and President of COP28, received the conference flag from Emirati astronauts Sultan Al Neyadi and Hazzaa Al Mansoori. This took place after the flag was raised aboard the International Space Station, in celebration of the UAE hosting the most significant climate event globally, aimed at building a sustainable future and preserving the planet.
The event was held under the Al Wasl dome in "Expo Dubai," attended by several officials and a team from the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, along with school students eager to take commemorative photos with the Emirati astronauts.
On this occasion, Al Jaber stated, "Thanks to the visionary leadership, the UAE has established a leading position in the field of space sciences. Today, it gathers the world at COP28 to mobilize efforts and accelerate climate action to preserve Earth. We are pleased to welcome the visiting Emirati astronauts and the team from the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre to the conference, which underscores the close and integrative relationship between the experiences, research, and explorations conducted in space and their role in securing a deeper understanding of the climatic changes our planet is witnessing, contributing to effective scientific solutions."
For his part, Sultan Al Neyadi expressed, "I am pleased to visit COP28, which has already achieved significant accomplishments that will greatly impact global efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change. Humanity's achievements in space are clear evidence of what can be accomplished in climate action through collaborative efforts and a spirit of unity and commitment. Moreover, outer space serves as a vantage point for observing Earth, which is experiencing numerous climate changes, and the research conducted there will significantly affect the preservation of essential resources for life on this planet."
Additionally, Hazzaa Al Mansoori noted that "hosting COP28 represents a new achievement that adds to the UAE's ambitions and diligent work in space exploration to ensure a secure and sustainable future for the inhabitants of Earth. The UAE has once again demonstrated its capability to bring the world together and unify its efforts around crucial issues requiring swift practical actions, such as climate change, the impacts of which are now palpable and affect all countries worldwide."
