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COP28 UAE: What, Why, When, Facts & Importance [2023]

With the increasing online discourse surrounding COP28, it is evident that a significant number of individuals lack specific knowledge about this COP28 conference. To bridge this knowledge gap, we present a comprehensive guide that delves into the details of the Conference of the Parties 28 United Arab Emirates aka COP28. This guide aims to provide a thorough understanding of COP28 Dubai 2023, encompassing its meaning, significance, and pertinent facts.

Let us now explore this topic in-depth:

What is COP28?

What is COP in COP28?

What is The Importance of COP28?

UAE’s Stance and Stated COP28 Goals

What are COP28 Goals?

Interesting Facts About COP28 UAE

Anticipated COP28 Delegates: How Many Will Attend?

What is COP28?

COP28 represents the 28th session of the Conference of Parties (COP), focusing on the pressing issue of climate change. This significant event is organised by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is selected as the COP28 hosting country, with Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber assuming the crucial role of conference president.

Starting Date30th November 2023
Closing Date12th December 2023
Location/Venue Dubai Expo City, UAE. You can check the details here.
Emailsecretariat@unfccc.int 
Websiteunfccc.int/
Event Detailsunfccc.int/calendar/events-list 

What is COP in COP28?

COP represents the Conference of the Parties, an annual International Cooperation on Climate Change organized by the United Nations for nearly three decades to address the critical issue of climate change. This Climate Change Conference provides a platform for global leaders and delegates to engage in discussions and find solutions to tackle the challenges posed by climate change. COPs serve as a forum to explore the latest scientific findings, policy advancements, and practical measures aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change.

What is The Importance of COP28?

The significance of UNFCCC COP28 lies in its role as a crucial platform for reviewing progress on previous initiatives like the Paris Agreement and assessing advancements towards its goals. The conference’s objective is to mobilize actions that expedite emission reduction while ensuring energy security.

Moreover, COP28 Negotiations holds importance as the culmination of the inaugural Global Stocktake, which began during COP26 in Glasgow. Furthermore, this conference addresses critical issues surrounding Global Climate Action and its consequential natural disasters. Consequently, the consensus reached at COP28 is said to profoundly influence future climate-related efforts and progress discussions.

UAE’s Stance and Stated COP28 Goals

As per the official stance of UAE foreign ministry, Abu Dhabi aims to galvanize efforts towards a “significant shift” that will hasten the reduction of Greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously ensuring Renewable Energy Transition

What are COP28 Goals?

According to the official website of COP28, COP28 Climate Action Plans are to unite the world during this critical moment for global transformative climate action. In order to fulfill its ambitious agenda, COP28 UAE aims to clean technology, foster inclusivity, transparency, pragmatism, and a results-oriented approach.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber has also emphasized the UAE’s role in bridging gaps to advance international efforts that support vulnerable countries, particularly those in the global south. He unveiled that the forthcoming climate talks will revolve around the official slogan of COP28, ‘partnership promotes progress.’ Moreover, he stated, ‘We are determined to make COP28 a COP for All and a COP of Action.’ The focus will be on reversing emissions while propelling economies forward and ensuring an inclusive and just transition that leaves no one behind.

Interesting Facts About COP28 UAE

There are some noteworthy and intriguing pieces of information about COP28 UAE. Some of them are mentioned below:

1. Abu Dhabi Oil Chief Appointed as COP28 President

Mr. Sultan Al Jaber, the Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, has been appointed to lead the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference 2023.

In his new capacity, Mr. Al Jaber will be responsible for overseeing the organization and execution of this important global gathering.

More interestingly, these two contradictory positions make Sultan Al Jaber a controversial figure. We and other World Groups have already written an open letter to António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, condemning the announcement of oil executive as COP28 president

2. Many Govt Official And NGOs Boycott COP28

A significant number of government officials and non-governmental organizations have chosen to abstain from participating in the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28). Prominent among them is Flemish Environment Minister Zuhal Demir who has openly boycotted COP28 UAE.

You can find here list of organizations and activists who boycott COP28

3. UAE Uses COP28 to Lobby For its Climate Reputation 

The United Arab Emirates wants to show its concern about climate change. With this conference hosted by the UAE, they will show the world their soft and clean face regarding Climate Resilience. UAE is already employing malpractices to whitewash its face by swarm of fake social media accounts, hiring PR firms and incorporating mislead information in Wikipedia.

However, the Climate Change Conference 2023 event in the UAE is expected to bring attention to and foster appreciation for the nation’s efforts towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as environmental sustainability. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the UAE’s ongoing actions towards this cause will persist in the background.

It is noteworthy to mention here that UAE’s biggest oil company ADNOC has recently managed to raise $2.5 Billion in IPO ahead of COP28. Moreover, ADNOC planned a $127 Billion investment to ramp up its Oil and Gas production capacity. These recent developments are clearing the dust from lobbying efforts of UAE’s oil boss disguised as president-elect COP28. 

Anticipated COP28 Delegates: How Many Will Attend?

Based on the latest available resources, COP28 is expected to witness a substantial attendance of over 80,000 delegates. This surge in participation underscores the increasing global significance of tackling climate change collectively.

Nevertheless, concerns have been raised by numerous organizations regarding the selection of Dr. Sultan Al Jaber as the president-elect for these crucial climate discussions. Explore the list of prominent global organizations united in opposition to this decision, expressing their dissent against the appointment of Dr. Al Jaber.

COP28 UAE Frequently Asked Questions

United Arab Emirates will host COP28 at Dubai Expo City.

13 days long COP28 will start from 30th novermber 2023 and end at 12th December 2023.

COP28 stands for 28th session of Conference of Parties (COP). It is UNFCCC-led climate talk conference where all UN member states discuss, formulate and analyze the Climate policies to combat Climate Change and Global Warming.

On Jan 12 2023, UAE elected Dr. Sultan Al Jaber as COP28 President. He is CEO of ADNOC and Founder of Masdar.

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