UAE’s bid to host COP28 receives backing from Asia Pacific Group

The Asia Pacific Group of nations has endorsed the UAE’s bid to host the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) in 2023.

The backing came at the COP26 summit in Glasgow, which aims to bring nations together to accelerate action on the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, leading the UAE delegation to COP26, said: “We are grateful and honoured with the endorsement to host COP28 in the UAE in 2023, and look forward to the confirmation of the UNFCCC. As a young, inclusive country that celebrates its Golden Jubilee this year, we believe partnership is the key to progress and to solving global challenges.”

“Guided by this trust and our 30-year legacy of positive climate action, culminating in the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative announced before this year’s UN Climate Conference in Glasgow, we are even more determined as a nation to forge ever stronger partnerships, and to innovate new technologies and solutions, to bring about a more sustainable future, both for present and future generations of UAE citizens, and the citizens of countries around the world.”

Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, added: “The UAE’s steadfast commitment to building bridges with the international community in the face of global challenges has significantly contributed to winning international support for its COP28 bid.”

“We will make sure to bring everyone on board and give climate change the urgency and priority it deserves to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.”

Since the UAE ratified the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer in 1989, it has joined the UNFCCC (1995), signed the Paris Agreement (2015) and ratified the Kyoto Protocol (2005), official news agency WAM reported.

#AsiaPacific Group endorses UAE’s bid to host #COP28 in 2023 #WamNews
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— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) November 2, 2021

The UAE has taken several initiatives in recent years to stem environmental degradation and tackle climate change. Last month, it announced a new Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative to reduce carbon emissions.

Read: UAE reveals Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative

The UAE plans for 50 per cent of its energy to come from renewable sources by 2050, targeting an energy mix that combines renewable, nuclear and clean energy sources. It is also keen to support the international community and find practical ways to implement and drive change.

Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change, said: “COP28 will be especially significant as the first stocktake of national commitments after the Paris Agreement. Our goal will be to make COP28 as inclusive and action-oriented as possible.”

In recent years, the UAE has invested an estimated $17bn in renewable energy projects in 70 countries with a focus on developing countries. In 2021, it organised the regional climate dialogue and participated in the Leaders Summit on Climate, where it extended its commitment to sustainable agriculture and farming, the statement added.

The UAE also partnered with the US to launch the Agriculture Innovation Mission (AIM) for Climate that has garnered the support of 30 countries to date.

State-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company also announced that it will decarbonise its power grid at scale through nuclear and solar clean energy sources starting January 2022.

Read: Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed launches clean energy partnership between ADNOC, EWEC

ADNOC, Mubadala and ADQ, meanwhile, signed an MoU in January this year to establish the Abu Dhabi Hydrogen Alliance.

Read: Mubadala, ADNOC and ADQ form alliance to grow green hydrogen economy in the UAE

The UAE’s Barakah nuclear power plant also started up its second unit in August, a year after the start-up of Unit 1, and within five months of its start of commercial operations. When fully operational, the four units of the plant will produce 5.6 gigawatts of electricity while preventing the release of more than 21 million tons of carbon emissions every year.

Read more: UAE’s ENEC announces start-up of Unit 2 of Barakah nuclear power plant