HANY ABDEL BAQI/SHAABAN BILAL (CAIRO)
The issue of climate change and its repercussions is at the forefront of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA78). World leaders are expected to present their vision on how to address the effects of climate change, in light of the Paris Agreement and the UAE’s hosting of the COP28 climate summit at the end of next November.
Experts and specialists stated that addressing climate change and achieving sustainable development are of the highest priority during the current UNGA78 session. They pointed out the importance of these discussions in achieving the international community’s goals during COP28 and determining the future course of action.
Dr. Osama Salam, an expert in climate and sustainable development, believes that the discussions taking place at the UNGA78, especially concerning climate challenges, food security, and water, are an opportunity for an exchange of ideas and visions on how to confront them.
In remarks to Aletihad, Salam explained that the repercussions of climate change, food security, and water are real threats to humanity due to their direct impact on the lives of millions of people worldwide. He emphasised that discussing these challenges during UNGA78 draws attention to them and strengthens international cooperation in addressng them.
He stressed the importance of the discussions’ outcomes in determining the future course of action to tackle these problems, which could lead to the adoption of new agreements or initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving food security, and protecting water resources. The international expert noted that the UAE’s hosting of the COP28 summit is an essential opportunity to enhance the international efforts in combatting climate change. The summit will be a platform for discussion and dialogue about the challenges and opportunities related to climate change and could lead to taking tangible steps and enhancing climate action.
Regarding the points that the UNGA78 could focus on climate challenges, food security, and water, Salam anticipates that the discussions will revolve around reducing greenhouse gas emissions, financing climate change efforts, ensuring that everyone has adequate food, and guaranteeing access to clean and suitable water.
Thaer Youssef, an expert in climate and environmental issues, said that climate change is the defining issue of our era, placing the world at a pivotal moment. He noted that the climate change impacts are unprecedented in terms of scale and spread, starting from changing weather patterns that threaten food production, to rising sea levels and the associated risks of catastrophic floods.
Thaer clarified in statements to Aletihad that adapting to these impacts will be costly and more challenging if radical measures and solutions to address the rise in greenhouse emissions are not taken now, as the rise has reached levels not seen in 3 million years.
Thaer pointed out that the current UNGA78 session takes all these repercussions into account and tops its priorities, especially with the UAE’s upcoming hosting of COP28. He indicated that the discussions taking place among leaders and heads of state at UNGA78 contribute to supporting the COP28 conference, in addition to the intense activities happening in the corridors of the UAE, aiming to support the fight against climate change.
The climate and environmental expert highlighted that COP28 continues to unify global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The conference gathers parties that have signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to assess the progress made in combating climate change.