ABU DHABI (WAM)

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Higher Committee for COP28 UAE, convened members to discuss implementation of the UAE Consensus, delivery on commitments and pledges, and to ensure continuity of the UAE's legacy.

During the meeting, Sheikh Abdullah stated, "COP28 was a historic event and with the UAE Consensus and through the Action Agenda we delivered a groundbreaking text that offers tangible, actionable solutions to climate change. We can’t lose momentum. We need to carry this promise into action.”

"When the UAE took on the Presidency of COP28, our goal was clear; we wanted to host a COP that was game changing, inspirational and transformative. We aimed to fulfill past commitments and set new ambitions, achieving this through building trust and the UAE’s dedication. There is no doubt that the COP28 Presidency did this and showed the world that the UAE is a place where people can come together and unite around a common goal," said His Highness.

Sheikh Abdullah lauded the legacy of the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in preserving the environment, from which the COP28 presidency inspired its vision and followed in its footsteps. He also expressed his appreciation to all participants in the conference from the federal, national and private sectors for their contributions and positive cooperation.

The UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs also thanked the members of the Higher Committee, noting that COP28 set a new global standard that strengthens the UAE’s ability to host and manage the most important international conferences with the highest levels of excellence.

During the meeting, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Deputy Chairman of the Committee, and President of COP28, emphasised that the historic success of COP28 was the result of the forward-looking vision of the UAE's leadership and its firm commitment to building a sustainable future for the country and the world.

He also thanked Sheikh Abdullah for his guidance, diligence and follow up and highlighted that the success of COP28 was a result of the leadership’s unwavering commitment to a sustainable future, the outstanding work of the higher committee members and the whole nation’s effort that helped produce a historic, global event.

He praised Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the Education and Human Resources Council and Chairperson of the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation (SHF), for her role in supervising the preparations and arrangements for hosting the conference and providing a unique experience for visitors. The committee, under her leadership, took all necessary supportive measures to achieve the high standards expected from the world, implementing innovative plans for construction and logistics design that empowered all participants to unite efforts, work together, and achieve success.

Over the two weeks of COP28, around 85,000 people attended various events in the ‘Blue Zone’ – 156 heads of state and government, 22 leaders of international organisations, over 780 ministers, 500 mayors, over 50,000 students and thousands of other key stakeholders, including parliamentarians, youth, businesses, philanthropies, civil society, and Indigenous Peoples. In the ‘Green Zone’, there were over 500,000 visits with people attending numerous events hosted by the Presidency and partners.

At COP28, through the UAE Consensus, global leaders agreed an unprecedented commitment to transition away from fossil fuels “in an orderly and equitable manner”, alongside a goal to triple renewable energy and capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030.

Leaders also agreed to an aim to reduce methane and other non-CO2 gases, end deforestation by 2030 and ensure that all future COPs have a Youth Climate Champion.

During the summit world leaders created, operationalised and began to capitalise the Loss and Damage Fund, which will help climate vulnerable countries adapt to the impacts of climate change and has secured $792million in pledges to date.

These outcomes, which were politically negotiated, were matched with an Action Agenda that engaged global leaders, business leaders, civil society, youth and Indigenous Peoples. As part of this agenda, over 52 oil and gas companies, representing 40% of production, endorsed the ‘Oil and Gas Charter’ which will see them target net zero emissions by 2030.

The agenda saw $85 billion pledged in new financial commitments – which includes the launch of the UAE’s ALTÉRRA Fund, the world’s largest catalytic private investor. The fund was launched with $30 billion in funding and will seek to mobilise $250 billion to drive positive climate action globally.

The agenda also delivered significant outcomes on adaptation, including pledges from 159 countries on food and agriculture and on climate and health, endorsed by 144 countries – these declarations were the first of their kind. In addition, a pledge on renewables and energy efficiency was endorsed by 132 countries. In total, eleven pledges and declarations were launched and received historic reports, which will galvanise practical, adaptive and mitigating responses to climate changes and protect the most vulnerable.