UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Briefed On Status Of COP28 Preparations

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice-President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum were briefed on the status of the preparations for the 28^th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), which the country will host later this year.

Members of the Cop28 organizing committee conducted the briefing Monday, with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Dr. Sultan Al Jaber as the presenters.

In his presentation, Sheikh Abdullah, who is also the Chairman of the COP28 Higher Committee, noted that the UAE's location in the globe puts it in an ideal position to build bridges that would link the Global North and the Global South. He also reiterated that the country could be instrumental in bringing about tangible development for a climate-secure world.

Sheikh Abdullah stressed that the upcoming conference should pave the way for the pledges to become concrete actions, with stakeholders working hand-in-hand to contribute to curbing the effects of climate change and ultimately meeting the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

In a tweet following the meeting, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed urged Emiratis to take part in the upcoming conference and contribute to the sustainable development of the country's society and economy. "My brother Mohammed bin Rashid and I were briefed on the ongoing preparations to host the COP28 conference. I invite all state institutions and segments of society to participate and contribute to this global conference," he wrote.

"Climate action and environmental preservation are at the core of the UAE's development strategy to achieve sustainable social and economic growth," he added.

Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed echoed the same sentiment in a separate tweet, inviting everyone to work together to protect the Earth. "Today, I was briefed, accompanied by my brother, the President of the State, may God preserve him, on the ongoing preparations in the country to host the COP28 Conference of the Parties, in which 70,000 people from 198 countries are expected to participate. Our national team is ready. Protect the planet," he wrote.

COP28 will be held from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12 at Expo City Dubai. It is expected to draw more than 70,000 participants from around the world, including government officials, heads of state, foreign diplomats, climate advocates, students, and representatives of sustainable businesses.