The 2023 UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP28, is set to take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 30 to December 12, 2023.
The 2023 UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP28, is set to take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 30 to December 12, 2023. With a comprehensive agenda, COP28 aims to drive global transformation towards a low-emission and climate-resilient world, foster ambitious climate action, and facilitate implementation, alongside related support.
The conference comprises several key components, including the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28), the fifth meeting of the COP serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA 5), the 18th meeting of the COP serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 18), and the 59th meetings of both the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI 59) and the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 59).
In an announcement made on January 13, 2023, the UNFCCC Secretariat revealed that Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change, has been appointed as the COP 28 President-Designate. This appointment underscores the UAE’s commitment to playing a pivotal role in addressing the global climate crisis.
The COP 27 Egyptian Presidency and the incoming COP 28 Presidency are actively engaging governments at ministerial, Head-of-Delegation, and technical levels to set the stage for a successful COP 28. The goal is to drive global transformation towards a low-emission and climate-resilient world while fostering ambitious climate action and facilitating implementation and support.
One of the most significant milestones at UN Climate Change Conference will be the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake (GST) of the implementation of the Paris Agreement. This two-year process, occurring every five years, assesses the world’s collective progress towards achieving climate goals.
The first GST aligns with the mid-point in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as Goal 13 (climate action). A mandated workshop on GST outcomes is set to precede COP 28 in October in the UAE.
The incoming COP 28 Presidency has articulated four paradigm shifts that will be at the core of discussions:
- Fast-tracking the Energy Transition: COP 28 will prioritize slashing emissions before 2030, recognizing the urgency of the climate crisis.
- Transforming Climate Finance: The conference aims to deliver on existing promises and establish a new framework for climate finance, crucial for supporting climate action globally.
- Putting Nature and People First: Nature, people, lives, and livelihoods will be central to climate action, ensuring a holistic approach to addressing the climate crisis.
- Mobilizing for Inclusivity: COP 28 aspires to be the most inclusive conference ever, involving diverse stakeholders in climate discussions.
The COP 28 Presidency envisions a comprehensive approach, consisting of a negotiated outcome, an action agenda, and a call to action. This multifaceted strategy is designed to course correct and drive substantial progress towards global climate goals.
With COP28 fast approaching, the world looks to Dubai as a critical juncture for international climate efforts. The conference’s emphasis on transformation, inclusivity, and climate action aligns with the growing recognition that urgent and coordinated action is essential to address the pressing challenges posed by climate change.