COP28 President-Designate reiterates call for inclusive approach to climate action

The UAE's COP28 President-Designate, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber has called for a more inclusive approach to climate action that leaves no one behind.

While addressing the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin, he underlined the importance of bringing everyone to the table and said that COP28 UAE will focus on uniting everyone in action.

Dr. Al Jaber, who also serves as the UAE's Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, repeated calls for phasing out fossil fuel emissions while focusing on developing zero carbon solutions.

"We know that the energies used today will continue to be part of the global energy mix for the foreseeable future. As such, we will work with the world to decarbonize the current energy system while we build a new one, capable of transitioning even the most heavy-emitting industries," he explained.

Dr. Al Jaber added that while "what happens inside the negotiations process is critically important, we need to match what is agreed in the negotiated text with concrete action in the real world. And this means countries and cities, investors and industries and businesses of all sizes, all stepping up."

He urged delegates to "put an end to delays and start delivery. Let’s turn passion into pragmatic solutions", saying that "the world demands transformational progress. The world needs transformational action.

The Emirati official highlighted that "COP28 must also provide tangible solutions to help people adapt to climate change and manage growing climate impacts. That is why we will be the first COP to dedicate a day to health and the first to host a health and climate ministerial."

The Petersberg Climate Dialogue is an annual meeting, hosted by the German Government with the objective of strengthening trust both in multilateral negotiations and between states.

It provides a platform between COP27 and COP28 for parties and constituencies to share views on priorities for the next United Nations Climate Conference or Conference of the Parties, more commonly referred to as COP.

Since his appointment as COP28 President-Designate in January 2022, Dr. Al Jaber and the COP28 Leadership Team have proactively engaged on a listening tour, where he has heard many voices from the global south, major economies, indigenous people, NGOs, youth, civil society, and the business community.

#COP28UAE President-Designate, #DrSultanAlJaber stressed the need for greater cross-sectoral mitigation and climate adaptation efforts at #PetersbergClimateDialogue. pic.twitter.com/0S3ajcHzvs

— COP28 UAE (@COP28_UAE) May 2, 2023

At #PetersbergClimateDialogue, #COP28UAE President-Designate #DrSultanAlJaber urged for the urgent delivery and mobilization of the $100bn #climatefinance target to support the world 🌍’s most climate-vulnerable countries and restore trust in the COP process. pic.twitter.com/q0ho0Ro5nh

— COP28 UAE (@COP28_UAE) May 2, 2023