COP28 UAE Coffee Table Book

The cover of this book is made with an Al-Sadu “AlMidkhar” pattern.

Al-Sadu is a traditional weaving technique of the United Arab Emirates and is central to Bedouin culture. In the resource-scarce lands of the Arabian Peninsula, the craft emerged from Bedouin ingenuity and resourcefulness. A traditional technique of weaving camel fur, goat hair or sheep wool into material for blankets, carpets, pillows, tents and the decoration of camel saddles and belts, Al-Sadu has been practised by Emirati women since ancient times. Every pattern has a meaning. The one used for this book is aptly inspired by a traditional treasure box that holds valuable items.

Al-Sadu is an important element in United Arab Emirates culture and heritage and holds a place of honour in Emirati society, recognised for its essential role in Bedouin life and as an example of adaptation and creativity. The craft was also one of the most valuable economic contributions made by women and played a central role in the life of the community. Because of Al-Sadu's significance, it was inscribed in 2011 on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

CHAPTERS

Foreword

The Timeless Legacy of Sheikh Zayed

UAE: A pioneer in climate action and economic diversification

What is COP?

In Glasgow, Global Trust is Placed in the UAE

COP28: Listening to all, leaving no one behind

COP28 Unites Blue and Green Zones: Delivering real-world impact

Triumph on Day 1: COP28 kicks off with historic fund for loss and damage

World Climate Action Summit: A new dawn in climate action

COP28: Breakthrough declarations on health, relief, recovery and peace

6

The Higher Committee: An all-ofnation effort to drive success

14

Transforming Climate Finance

A Special Thanks to the COP28 Ministerial Pairs

COP28 Champions Global Energy Transition and Equity

Youth at the Forefront: COP28’s historic inclusion of young voices

Putting Nature at the Center of Climate Action

Together for Tomorrow: Transforming food systems for humanity

The Final Week: Seven days and nights of negotiations

22 5 13

The UAE Assembles a Diverse and Dynamic COP28 Team

Including More Local Leaders Than Ever Before

21

4 12 20 3 11 19 2 10 18 8 16 7 15

23 24 1 9 17

The Majlis: An Emirati tradition sparks change

Multilateralism Wins: The historic UAE Consensus

The COP Presidencies Troika is Born: Bridging COP presidencies for lasting impact Reflections

FOREWORD

WATCH THE COP28 UAE JOURNEY

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, launches COP28 with a Leaders March in Dubai (December, 2023)

FOREWORD

On November 30th, 2023, Ministers from 198 Parties gathered in Dubai for COP28. The following two weeks of global climate negotiations represented the largest multilateral gathering ever hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This event held particular significance as it included the first Global Stocktake since the Paris Agreement. The stakes were high, and heightened further by ongoing geopolitical tensions worldwide.

Over the next 14 days, all Parties needed to align around a progressive, ambitious, realistic, and concrete plan to bridge the gaps in the goals of Paris, keep 1.5°C within reach, drive sustainable socio-economic development, and protect nature, lives, and livelihoods. Against all odds, the world

united, acted, and delivered an unprecedented outcome that defied sceptics, inspired optimists, and proved that multilateralism can still work.

This outcome, known as the UAE Consensus, would not have happened without the constant guidance, far-reaching vision, and unwavering support of the UAE’s leadership, inspired by the legacy of Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father of the United Arab Emirates and driven forward by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

The UAE Consensus represents the most comprehensive set of climate breakthroughs since the Paris Agreement, delivering multiple world firsts across the climate agenda.

Official group photo of world leaders at COP28 (December, 2023)

For the first time in COP history, all Parties agreed on a common pathway for a just, orderly, and equitable energy transition, aligned with the science. The agreement included the first fixed targets for renewable energy, aiming to triple global capacity by 2030. It also set a 2030 deadline to end deforestation and marked a milestone for vulnerable communities across the Global South, with the formal launch of a fund for loss and damage on the first day of COP28. This was not only agreed to in record time, but 18 countries, led by the UAE, immediately contributed funds.

Inclusivity was the guiding principle that made COP28 a success. No voice was unheard, no perspective was excluded, and everyone’s contribution was welcomed.

The private sector collaborated alongside governments. CEOs engaged with NGOs. There was a designated day for Indigenous Peoples and a dedicated space for youth. The largest Green Zone ever hosted by a COP allowed industry leaders, established entrepreneurs, tech startups, and individual inventors to showcase practical, investable, scalable climate solutions.

This inclusivity culminated in a set of concrete deliverables known as the Action Agenda that complemented the negotiated outcomes. A landmark coalition of industrial energy consumers and energy producers united around decarbonization. The oil and gas industry committed to a milestone initiative, representing almost 43% of global production,

to achieve zero methane emissions by 2030 and net zero by or before 2050. The public and private finance communities pledged over US$85 billion dollars in new commitments. Breakthrough declarations on agriculture, food, and health added to COP28’s many accomplishments.

These outcomes were far from certain when the UAE was given the responsibility to host COP28 back in 2021. From that point forward, the UAE engaged in an all-of-nation effort, ultimately guided by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, along with a select Higher Committee representing key members of the UAE’s public and private sectors. A diverse and experienced COP28 leadership team was assembled, including Shamma Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Development, as the first Youth Champion and Razan Al Mubarak as the High-Level Champion.

The full COP28 team exemplified inclusivity, with over 50% being women, almost 50% aged 35 or younger, and 60% from the Global South.

In preparation for COP28, this team embarked on an unprecedented listening and engagement tour spanning over 50 countries across the Global North and South. They listened to everyone, learned a lot along the way, and did not shy away from difficult issues that have hindered progress in the past. By confronting realities head-on, they laid the foundations for open and honest dialogue at the final negotiations.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, embracing Zayed Sustainability Prize winner Tutuk Nuradhy, Managing Director of DoctorSHARE, winner of the Prize’s Health category (December, 2023)

Until the final hours, it was touch and go. Three days before the end of COP, negotiations were deadlocked. To break the impasse and positively disrupt the process, we convened all the lead negotiators in a traditional Majlis setting. Here, the UAE’s traditions of mutual respect, partnership, and constructive dialogue played a critical role. Formal titles were dropped, set talking points left behind, and people engaged with each other as individuals. The Majlis shifted the tone of negotiations and the contours of an agreement began to take shape.

After three long days and nights of tense negotiations that went into overtime, the world finally came together to deliver the historic UAE Consensus. When the final gavel came down, it was widely acknowledged that the world had made history.

Many people deserve thanks for this achievement. The leadership of the UAE provided steady support. The COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee offered great guidance. The Ministerial Pairs focused on mitigation, adaptation, finance, and the Global Stocktake, bridging many divides. The COP28 team worked tirelessly, often into the night, for two years

straight and Parties came together to deliver the most consequential COP since Paris.

The UAE Consensus is a landmark agreement that the world must now act on. Governments must lead with ambitious plans baked into their next crucial Nationally Determined Contributions.

Industry, particularly the energy industry, must remain at the table as active and essential contributors to solutions. Public, private, and development finance must collaborate to make climate finance more available, accessible, and affordable. To help maintain momentum, COP28 has joined hands with COP29 and COP30 in the COP Presidencies Troika, aimed at securing the legacy of the UAE Consensus by driving practical, tangible action. As we look forward to COP29, we understand that we are part of a continuum of progress. The task ahead will not be easy. It will not be achieved by a single country or by individual acts, but by countries, industries, communities, and people uniting in solidarity. The UAE Consensus laid out a clear pathway for pro-climate, pro-growth, and inclusive sustainable development. It is up to all of us, together, to follow it.

Sultan Al Jaber

COP28 President

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, posing for a photo with the COP28 wristband (March, 2023)

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, accompanied by a high-level delegation and members of the UAE protocol team following a tour to check on preparations for COP28 (November, 2023)

THE TIMELESS LEGACY OF SHEIKH ZAYED

THE TIMELESS LEGACY OF

SHEIKH ZAYED

Sustainability is a core value in the UAE, where our forebears exhibited ingenuity, resilience, and optimism to sustain in a land of extreme heat and scarce water. Our leaders are steadfast in their commitment to the well-being of the people and the wise stewardship of the land’s resources, a legacy passed down from our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

From his childhood in the harsh desert conditions, Sheikh Zayed developed a profound interest in the environment and a deep understanding of living in harmony with it.

On land and in the sea, our forefathers lived and survived in this environment. They were able to do so because they recognized the need to conserve it, to take from it only what they needed to live, and to preserve it for succeeding generations.

SHEIKH ZAYED BIN SULTAN AL NAHYAN

Sheikh Zayed’s vision, drive, and commitment have positioned the UAE as a global leader in climate action. He regarded the desert and its diverse flora and fauna as gifts from Allah (God).

Long before the UAE’s founding, he initiated an oryx captive breeding program, rescuing the species from the brink of extinction. Additionally, he established a hospital for falcons and launched breeding programs for the houbara bustard bird and flamingo birds.

Together with his sons - the late President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi - the UAE planted the early seeds of Abu Dhabi’s ambitious mangrove conservation project.

Today, this initiative plays a vital role in climate action. In his honour, the UAE has established the Sheikh Zayed Protected Areas Network, encompassing 19 marine and terrestrial protected areas.

In 1997, Sheikh Zayed was given the Gold Panda, a conservation award by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). In 2005, he was named 'Champion of the Earth' by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Sheikh Zayed’s enduring commitment to the natural world also led to the creation of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, a global award celebrating small businesses, non-governmental organizations, and high schools working on sustainability. This prize has empowered innovative solutions across health, food, energy, water, climate action, and global high schools, impacting hundreds of millions globally. The Prize has trans-

formed the lives of over 384 million people worldwide. Inspired by Sheikh Zayed’s legacy, the UAE leadership has taken bold steps to diversify the nation’s energy mix and future-proof its economy as it strives to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Sheikh Zayed was an early advocate for clean energy, having authorized a ban on routine flaring in 1978. Today, the UAE’s leadership is dedicated to developing clean energy sources such as nuclear power, is the host of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and established Masdar, one of the world’s leading renewable energy investors, with projects in over 40 countries.

UAE: A PIONEER IN CLIMATE ACTION AND ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION

The 30MW Hywind Scotland, the world’s first floating offshore wind farm (October, 2017)

UAE: A PIONEER IN CLIMATE ACTION AND ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION

In a region where heat is extreme and water scarce, the UAE has long been committed to climate action that promotes positive socio-economic impact.

Decades ago, the UAE began diversifying its economy, and today, over 70% of its economy is non-oilbased. The country boasts three of the largest and lowest-cost solar plants in the world. It has been a regional pioneer in deploying industrial-scale carbon capture technology, zero-emission nuclear energy, and new zero-carbon energies such as hydrogen.

The UAE holds the distinction of being the first Middle Eastern nation to sign and ratify the Paris Agreement, commit to an economy-wide reduction in emissions and launch a strategic initiative to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Last year, the UAE updated its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), aiming for a 40% reduction in emissions compared to business as usual, a nearly 10% improvement from the previous disclosure measured against 2019 baselines. Additionally, the UAE announced a US$50 billion capital investment program over the next seven years to triple its renewable and clean energy capacity, expand hydrogen production, and exclude coal from its energy mix.

The UAE is a global leader in renewable energy, having invested over US$50 billion in renewable energy projects across 70 countries.

Domestically, the UAE has added renewable energy capacity at a faster rate than any other country over the past decade, expanding from 13MW in 2011 to 3.7GW in 2023, with a target of 14GW by 2030.

The UAE’s commitment to renewable energy was further demonstrated by its successful bid to be-

come the first permanent headquarters for the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in 2009. In line with its role as a bridge-builder within the international community and its commitment to addressing global challenges collaboratively, the UAE positioned itself to host COP28.

Through these initiatives, the UAE exemplifies leadership in climate action and sustainable development, setting a benchmark for regional and global efforts.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with the King of Spain, Juan Carlos I, in Spain at the inauguration of Gemasolar, scale solar power plant with a central tower receiver and an installed

Gemasolar, the world’s first commercialinstalled capacity of 19.9MW (October, 2011)

His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, inaugurates the 103.5MW UAE wind program (October, 2023)

AT HOME

27MW Wind Project, Delma island, Abu Dhabi (November, 2023)

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (MBR) Solar Park in Dubai (October, 2013)

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (MBR) Solar Park in Dubai, set to be the largest single-site solar park in the world with a planned production capacity of 5GW upon completion (October, 2013)

1.2 GW Noor Abu Dhabi solar plant, one of the largest standalone operational solar plants located in Abu Dhabi (April, 2019)

45MW Wind Project, Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi (October, 2013)

2GW Al Dhafra Solar Plant, Abu Dhabi (November, 2023)

GLOBALLY

600KW Solar Photovoltaic Plant, Marshall Islands (August, 2016)

UAE: A PIONEER IN CLIMATE ACTION

6MW Port Victoria Wind Power Project, Seychelles (March, 2012)

230MW Garadagh Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant, Azerbaijan (June, 2024)

145MW Cirata Floating Solar Photovoltaic Plant, Indonesia (November, 2023)

Aerial view of the central tower receiver of the 20MW gemasolar plant, Spain (October, 2011)

WHAT IS COP?

A QUICK HISTORY OF COPS

1992 1995 1997 2001 2005 2007

Earth Summit, Rio de Janeiro

UNFCCC is opened for signature along with agreements on conventions on biodiversity and combatting desertification (The Rio Conventions)

COP1, Berlin

The Berlin Mandate adopted, requiring Parties to initiate talks on emissions reduction

COP3, Kyoto

Adoption of Kyoto Protocol, first international treaty to set legally binding targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions

COP7, Marrakech

Agreement reached on Marrakech Accords, setting rules on implementing provisions of Kyoto Protocol

COP11, Montreal

Kyoto Protocol entered into force, with first Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol (CMP 1)

COP13, Bali

Adoption of Bali Action Plan, securing agreement on timeline and structured negotiation of post2012 framework

2012 2013 2015 2021 2022 2023

COP18, Doha

Parties set out a timetable to adopt a universal climate agreement by 2015, to come into effect in 2020

COP19, Warsaw

Establishment of Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage to address adverse impacts of climate change for developing countries

COP21, Paris

Adoption of Paris Agreement - first agreement binding all nations together to combat climate change and adapt to its effects

COP26, Glasgow

Agreement reached on Glasgow Climate Pact, first climate agreement explicitly planning to reduce coal usage

COP27, Sharm el-Sheikh

Agreement to provide loss and damage funding for vulnerable countries impacted by adverse effects of climate change

COP28, Dubai

Delivered the landmark UAE Consensus, which sets out an ambitious roadmap for keeping 1.5°C within reach

WHAT IS COP?

The Conference of the Parties (COP) are annual conferences held under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The treaty was signed in 1992 by 154 states at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), informally known as the Earth Summit, in Rio de Janeiro.

Since then, the COP meetings have served as formal gatherings of the UNFCCC parties to assess progress in dealing with climate change. The first COP was held in Berlin in 1995, and there have been 28 such meetings (with the exception of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). The most recent, COP28, took place in Dubai over two weeks in November and December 2023. The UNFCCC’s permanent secretariat is located in Bonn, Germany, and any final text of a COP must be agreed upon by all Parties.

While all COPs are important, several have served as notable landmarks in the fight against climate change. The Kyoto Protocol was negotiated at COP3, establishing legally binding obligations for developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. COP21 in Paris in 2015 resulted in the adoption of the Paris Agreement, governing climate change reduction measures from 2020.

COP28 was mandated to deliver the first Global Stocktake since the Paris Agreement and established a roadmap toward keeping a rise in global temperatures to 1.5°C by 2030 within reach.

It was the first COP to adopt language around “transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems”. It commits all signatory countries to move away from carbon energy sources “in a just, orderly, and equitable manner”, aiming to reach net zero by 2050. This global pact is referred to as the UAE Consensus.

Kyoto, Japan

Paris, France

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

IN

GLASGOW, GLOBAL TRUST IS PLACED IN THE UAE

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President and Mariam Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, meet with the youth delegation at COP26, Glasgow (November, 2021)

IN GLASGOW, GLOBAL TRUST IS PLACED IN THE UAE

On Thursday, November 11, 2021, during COP26 in Glasgow, the decision was made for the UAE to host COP28. COP26 President Alok Sharma announced, “There being no objections, it is decided.” This decision was greeted with humility, a deep sense of responsibility and a great sense of urgency.

UAE delegation celebrating the moment the UAE is announced as COP28 host (November, 2021)

HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, during a walk-through at COP26, Glasgow (November, 2021)

THE HIGHER COMMITTEE: AN ALL-OF-NATION EFFORT TO DRIVE SUCCESS

HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE and Chairman of the COP28 UAE Higher Committee, in a group photo with committee members (January, 2024)

THE HIGHER COMMITTEE: AN ALL-OF-NATION EFFORT TO DRIVE SUCCESS

Recognizing the significance of hosting a credible and inclusive COP28, the UAE leadership emphasized the need for a comprehensive national approach.

In June 2022, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, announced the formation of the COP28 Higher Committee.

The Higher Committee was established to ensure a coordinated whole-of-government effort. This approach aligned strategic, diplomatic, political, economic, and technical sectors to deliver effective outcomes.

Chaired by HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, with Dr. Sultan Al Jaber serving as Vice Chair, the Higher Committee held the executive authority to make strategic, policy, and operational decisions for COP28. It endorsed the strategic plan and vision while monitoring progress to ensure successful delivery.

16th Meeting of the UAE COP28 Higher Committee (January, 2024)

HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, chairing the last session of the COP28 UAE Higher Committee (January, 2024)

A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE COP28 MINISTERIAL PAIRS

A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE COP28 MINISTERIAL PAIRS

The unprecedented outcomes of the UAE Consensus owe a debt of gratitude to the efforts of many. But a special acknowledgement is due to the support, guidance and committed engagement of the COP28 Ministerial Pairs. Together they pushed for ambitious progress, navigated differences and found common ground across the climate agenda.

The COP28 Ministerial Pairs during a press conference at COP28 (L-R): Maisa Rojas, Minister for the Environment, Chile; Jennifer McAllister, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Australia; Dan Jørgensen, Minister of Climate and Energy and Utilities, Denmark; Barbara Creecy, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, South Africa; Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President; Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, Egypt; Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Canada; Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Singapore; and Espen Barthe Eide, Minister of Climate and Environment, Norway (December, 2023)

THE UAE ASSEMBLES A DIVERSE AND DYNAMIC COP28 TEAM

HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, unveils the COP28 logo at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (January, 2023)

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, introduces the COP28 negotiations team at the Annual UAE Government Retreat (November, 2023)

THE UAE ASSEMBLES A DIVERSE AND DYNAMIC COP28 TEAM

On January 12th, 2023, following a Presidential decree of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber was appointed as COP28 UAE President-Designate, Shamma Al Mazrui as COP28 UAE Youth Climate Champion, and Razan Al Mubarak as COP28 UAE UN Climate Change High-Level Champion.

Running a COP, like any other major event, requires a large, dedicated team to cover all organisational aspects. This includes supporting negotiations, the Action Agenda, communications, physical event organization, and day-to-day operations like IT support, human resources, and finance.

For COP28, a diverse team of UAE and global experts was assembled to ensure an inclusive, action-oriented COP that delivered a robust and pragmatic response to the world’s first Global Stocktake.

Shamma Al Mazrui, UAE Minister of Community Development and COP28 Youth Climate Champion, at COP28 (November, 2023)

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President and Hana Al Hashimi, Chief Negotiator, in a discussion at COP28 (December, 2023)

Razan Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28 (December, 2023)

Majid Al Suwaidi, COP28 Director- General (December, 2023)

Adnan Amin, COP28 CEO, delivering remarks at the Electrifying Cooking: A journey towards net-zero event on COP28’s Energy Day (December, 2023)

Mariam Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, with members of the ministry and the UAE Pavilion team at COP28 (December, 2023)

The team, comprising around 250 people, reflected the diversity of our world and the multifaceted nature of the climate challenge. It drew professionals from both the public and private sectors, including diplomats, engineers, scientists, policymakers, and representatives from all regions. This team included experts in climate policy, renewable energy finance, gender equality, nature, and other fields, all working together to develop, advance, and advocate for greater climate ambition.

Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), visits the COP28 headquarters in the UAE (August, 2023)

The wider team that delivered COP28 included thousands of women and men of many nationalities. The core team was supported by ministries, government and private sector entities, volunteers and NGOs.

COP28 team members and volunteers (December, 2023)

COP28 team members and volunteers (December, 2023)

The COP28 President and Mohammed Abdullah Al Junaibi, Chairman of the Presidential Protocol and Strategic Narrative Authority and member of the COP28 Higher Committee, posing for a photo with COP28 volunteers (December, 2023)

COP28 team members and volunteers (December, 2023)

Members of the COP28 team at the Dubai Expo site (December, 2023)

Members of the COP28 negotiations team (December, 2023) National Office Projects team at the UAE Pavilion at COP28 (December, 2023)

Team members of the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation at the UAE Pavilion during COP28 (December, 2023)

Members of the COP28 UAE negotiations team (December, 2023)

Members of the COP28 team (December, 2023)

Members of the COP28 team (December, 2023)

The COP28 President and Mohammed Abdullah Al Junaibi, Chairman of the Presidential Protocol and Strategic Narrative Authority and member of the COP28 Higher Committee, who is holding the gavel, moments after the announcement of the UAE Consensus (December, 2023)

Notably, over half (53%) of the team were women, with 49% being 35 years of age or younger, and an average employee age of 37. More than 50 nationalities were represented, with over 60% coming from G-77 countries, supporting the goal of hosting the most inclusive COP ever. Within the negotiating team, 70% were under 35, with an average age of 33.

The COP28 leadership team was composed of individuals who have dedicated their careers to climate action and possess deep experience across clean energy, nature-based solutions, international diplomacy, and inclusion.

Members of the COP28 Presidency celebrating the breakthrough UAE Consensus Agreement (December, 2023)

COP28: LISTENING TO ALL, LEAVING NO ONE BEHIND

COP28: LISTENING TO ALL, LEAVING NO ONE BEHIND

The COP28 team recognized the critical importance of listening to all perspectives and understanding that no single party possessed all the solutions. Success would hinge on contributions from every country, community, and citizen. Upon Dr. Sultan Al Jaber’s appointment as President-Designate of COP28, the COP28 team embarked on a global listening tour, visiting 50 countries across six continents. They engaged with a diverse array of stakeholders, from heads of state to scientists, women, youth, indigenous peoples, and the private sector.

What emerged from these conversations was a clear message: expectations were high, but trust was low, and many felt their voices were not being heard. COP28 needed to bridge this trust gap and foster inclusive progress through partnership.

In response, the COP28 Presidency emphasized representation and empowerment, especially for stakeholders often excluded from decision-making.

The year-long youth delegates program included 100 non-government representatives, with 75% from Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries.

COP28 institutionalized the Youth Climate Champion role for future COPs, secured participation from the oil and gas industry, and invited over 500 mayors and governors to the conference. Recognizing the importance of private finance in climate action, the Presidency created unprecedented platforms for private sector participants, building on successful COP initiatives like Race to Zero and Race to Resilience.

His Holiness Pope Francis welcomes the COP28 Presidency to the Holy See (October, 2023)

His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom welcomes COP28 President, Dr. Sultan al Jaber, at Buckingham Palace in London (February, 2023)

His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain receives the COP28 delegation at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid (July, 2023)

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, meets with COP28 President in Brussels (November, 2023)

Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, Annalena Baerbock, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany and COP28 President at the 14th Petersberg Climate Dialogue, Berlin (May, 2023)

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, and Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, in a group photo with Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of International Cooperation, Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High Level Champion for COP28 (August, 2023)

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, and Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, pose for a group photo on the sidelines of the Amazon Summit in Belém (August, 2023)

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, and Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, at a reception on the sidelines of the Amazon Summit in Belém (August, 2023)

Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, poses for a photo with Ministers and guests attending the 14th Petersberg Climate Dialogue, Berlin (May, 2023)

Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, and other Barbadian representatives welcome the COP28 Presidency team and members of the UAE delegation, including Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, in Bridgetown (August, 2023)

Espen Barth Eide, Minister of Climate and Environment of Norway, and Teresa Ribera, Minister of the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge of Spain, pose for a photo with Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President at the 14th Petersberg Climate Dialogue, Berlin (May, 2023)

COP28 President meets with the M-KOPA team, winners of the 2015 Zayed Sustainability Prize, on the sidelines of the Africa Energy Forum, Nairobi (June, 2023)

Majid Al Suwaidi, COP28 Director-General, visiting the Dadaab Refugee Camp, Kenya (September, 2023)

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, speaking at the 7th Ministerial on Climate Action, Brussels (July, 2023)

COP28 President at the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, Beijing (October, 2023)

Her Highness Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan attending the Enabling Urban Transformative Climate Innovation session at the Bonn Climate Change Conference (June, 2023)

This commitment to inclusivity also set COP28’s guiding principle of keeping the 1.5°C target within reach while ensuring no one, particularly the most vulnerable communities in the Global South, was left behind. This inclusive approach shaped COP28’s strategic pillars, announced at the midpoint of the listening tour at MOCA in July 2023. These pillars included fast-tracking the energy transition, fixing climate finance, focusing on people, lives,

and livelihoods, and reinforcing everything with full inclusivity.

Additionally, the Presidency introduced the firstever thematic workstreams for a COP, such as ‘Relief, Recovery and Peace,’ addressing areas that many stakeholders felt were missing from the agenda. This dedication to inclusivity and comprehensive engagement aimed to make COP28 a milestone in global climate action.

A plenary session at Pre-COP, Abu Dhabi (October, 2023)

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, meeting with Indigenous Peoples representatives at the SB58 Bonn Climate Conference (June, 2023)

Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, and Sherry Rehman, Minister of Climate and Environment of Pakistan, receive the COP28 team, Islamabad (July, 2023)

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, engaging with youth, Pakistan (July, 2023)

COP28 President standing for a photo with Akihiro Nishimura, Minister of Environment of Japan and Yasutoshi Nishimura, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, at the G7 meeting in Sapporo, Japan (April, 2023)

The COP28 Presidency’s visit to Bangladesh (July, 2023)

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, speaking at the opening plenary of the 10th World Government Summit, Dubai (February, 2023)

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, at a ceremony in Bangladesh (July, 2023)

the UN Secretary General-hosted Climate Ambition

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, joined by Shamma Al Mazrui, COP28 Youth Climate Champion and Minister of Community Development, and Badr Jafar, COP28 Special Representative for Business and Philanthropy, ringing the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange to raise awareness for climate finance in New York (September, 2023)

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, urges greater solidarity at

Summit on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (September, 2023)

COP28 UNITES BLUE AND GREEN ZONES FOR REAL-WORLD IMPACT

Volunteers at the COP28 site in Dubai (December, 2023)

COP28 UNITES BLUE AND GREEN ZONES FOR REAL-WORLD IMPACT

From the outset, COP28 aimed to be distinct, striving for the most inclusive COP ever. It brought the world to Dubai and demonstrated that the UAE could deliver the most significant climate outcome since the Paris Agreement.

COP28 operated on two parallel tracks: one engaging the 198 Parties, resulting in the UAE Consensus, and the other involving world leaders, civil society, sub-national leaders, Indigenous Peoples, and the private sector to drive real-world change, known as the Presidential Action Agenda.

To deliver a substantial action agenda that built on ambitious negotiated outcomes, the COP28 Presidency assembled the largest gathering of

non-state actors alongside negotiators, purposefully connecting the Blue and Green Zones.

The Blue Zone, led by the UN, is where heads of state, accredited officials, media, and delegates meet. The Green Zone, open to the public and managed by the host country, was situated side by side with the Blue Zone, fostering unprecedented public and private sector participation. Approximately 85,000 participants attended the Blue Zone, including over 150 heads of state and government, making it the largest COP in history, double the size of the previous one.

The Green Zone drew over 545,000 visits during the two weeks, larger than any previous COP.

A COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, joins UAE astronauts Sultan Al Neyadi and Hazza Al Mansouri with youth under the Al Wasl Dome in the COP28 Green Zone (December, 2023)

Celebration of UAE’s 52nd National Day at COP28 (December 2nd, 2023)

Dubai-based artist Sacha Jafri showing his art at COP28 (December, 2023)

A live dance performance by Koli Fishermen of Bombay: Guardians of Cultural Sustainability at the COP28 Green Zone (December, 2023)

A group of performers on stage at the COP28 Green Zone (December, 2023)

Emiratis performing the traditional Al Ayala Dance at the UAE House of Sustainability at COP28 (December, 2023)

Rami Kadi’s sustainable ocean-themed couture show at COP28 (December, 2023)

At the Sustainable Fashion Show in the Green Zone (December, 2023)

A person of determination on the runway at the COP28 Sustainable Fashion Show in the Green Zone (December, 2023)

Celebrated Indian designer duo Shantnu & Nikhil take the stage at the COP28 Sustainable Fashion Show in the Green Zone (December, 2023)

UAE-based celebrity and radio host, DJ Kris Fade, in talks with Maisvault at the Green Zone, COP28 (December, 2023)

Bassem Youssef, Egyptian-American comedian and television host, on stage at COP28 in the Green Zone (December, 2023)

Stella McCartney poses with a group of visitors at the Green Zone (December, 2023)

COP28’s Director General Majid Al Suwaidi in conversation with sustainable fashion designer Stella McCartney (December, 2023)

A conversation with supermodel Naomi Campbell at COP28’s Green Zone (December, 2023)

HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, with Lieutenant-General Talal Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, President of Dubai's State Security Department, and Mohammed Abdullah Al Junaibi, Chairman of the Presidential Protocol and Strategic Narrative Authority, at COP 28 (December, 2023)

Indigenous Peoples waving the COP28 flag in a procession (December, 2023)

Faith leaders gather at COP28 (December, 2023)

COP28 marked the largest-ever youth participation and engagement (December, 2023)

Indigenous Peoples, who make up only 5% of the population but protect 80% of the natural resources, featured prominently at COP28. For the first time at a COP there was an Indigenous Peoples pavilion were they could share their learnings.

TRIUMPH ON DAY 1: COP28

KICKS OFF WITH HISTORIC FUND FOR LOSS AND DAMAGE

WATCH THE HISTORIC ADOPTION OF THE FUND FOR LOSS AND DAMAGE AT COP28

A bespoke gavel adorned with an Al-Sadu design (a traditional Emirati form of weaving which was placed on the UNESCO ‘List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding’ in 2011) specially created for the closing of COP28 (December, 2023)

TRIUMPH ON DAY 1: COP28 KICKS OFF WITH HISTORIC FUND FOR LOSS AND DAMAGE

On November 30, 2023, COP28 commenced with the UAE succeeding the Egyptian COP Presidency. Dr. Al Jaber, who officially became COP28 President called for solidarity and inclusive action.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, together with Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC; Adnan Amin, COP28 CEO, and Hana Al Hashimi, Chief Negotiator, congratulate parties on the adoption of the decision to operationalize the loss and damage fund and funding arrangements (November, 2023)

Sameh Shoukry, COP27 President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Egypt, and Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, during the official handover segment at the opening of COP28 (November, 2023)

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, and Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, join members and advisors of the Transitional Committee on the operationalization of the Loss and Damage fund and funding arrangements to celebrate its historic adoption (November, 2023)

“The science has spoken. It has confirmed that the moment is now to find a new road... a road wide enough for all of us… free of the obstacles and detours of the past. That new road starts with a decision on the Global Stocktake… a decision that is ambitious, corrects course and accelerates action to 2030.”

The day began with unprecedented pace and urgency. The agenda was approved within the first hour, and COP28 made history by adopting an agreement to operationalize a fund for loss and damage within the first few hours of the first day. This achievement,

representing a long-sought victory for the Global South, had eluded all previous COPs, and set a tone of positivity and optimism from day one.

This success was quickly followed by substantial financial commitments, beginning with a US$100 million pledge from the UAE. Germany, the EU, the UK, Japan, the US, and others also made pledges, bringing the fund to over US$700 million by the end of the first day. This early triumph set a positive tone, began to restore trust, and generated optimism among delegates that this COP would indeed be different and effective.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, congratulates members of the COP28 Presidency during a private ceremony, Abu Dhabi (February, 2024)

WORLD CLIMATE ACTION SUMMIT: A NEW DAWN IN CLIMATE ACTION

WATCH WORLD LEADERS COME TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TWO DAYS OF COP28

World leaders met at COP28 and delivered their national statements. The photos are shown in the order they were delivered (December, 2023)

WORLD CLIMATE ACTION SUMMIT: A NEW DAWN IN CLIMATE ACTION

The momentum of COP28’s opening day continued to build with the World Climate Action Summit (WCAS) on December 1 and 2.

The summit gathered 154 Heads of State and Government alongside 22 international leaders, marking the dawn of a new era in climate action.

Visionary industry leaders, civil society, youth, and Indigenous Peoples’ representatives joined them, fostering cross-sector collaboration and discussions on climate solutions.

WCAS underscored a powerful call for inclusive climate action and solidarity, emphasizing the vital roles of civil society, women, youth, local leaders, faith-based communities, Indigenous Peoples, and those on the frontline of climate change.

A hologram of the Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the UAE, at the Opening Ceremony of COP28’s Leaders’ Summit (December, 2023)

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, honors the winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize at COP28 (December, 2023)

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, together with Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, and António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, at COP28 (December, 2023)

HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, during a meeting at COP28 (December, 2023)

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, His Majesty Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain and Emmanuel Macron, President of France, attending the Opening Ceremony of COP28 (December, 2023)

Emmanuel Macron, President of France, delivering remarks at the launch of the Global Climate Finance Framework at COP28 (December, 2023)

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, and Marina Silva, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Brazil, in a heartwarming moment at the COP28 Leaders’ Summit (December, 2023)

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, in a candid moment at COP28 (December, 2023)

Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy, and Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, preparing for the World Leaders Group Photo at COP28 (December, 2023)

Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia, and Emmanuel Macron, President of France, greeting each other at COP28 (December, 2023)

John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, and Xie Zhenhua, China’s Special Envoy on Climate Change, at a joint press conference at COP28 (December, 2023)

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, joins Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of Nigeria; António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations; John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, and Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, on stage at the COP28 Methane Summit (December, 2023)

UK

and

Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni, Prime Minister of Tonga, and His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes' Affairs, at the COP28 Opening Ceremony (December, 2023)

António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, meets with youth at COP28 (December, 2023)

Keir Starmer, Leader of the

Labour Party,

António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, speak during COP28 (December, 2023)

Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States of America, speaks during day two of the high-level segment at COP28 (December, 2023)

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, hands the Zayed Sustainability Prize Global High School award to Colegio De Alto Rendimiento De La Libertad, Peru, who is representing the Americas (December, 2023)

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, in a touching moment with Mary Zayed at the Zayed Sustainability Prize awards ceremony. Mary Zayed was the first baby born in a well-lit healthcare facility in a remote village in Malawi, made possible by the Zayed Sustainability Prize. Named in honour of Sheikh Zayed, her grandmother Joyce, who was trained as a solar technician at the Zayed Solar Academy, chose the name to reflect the transformative impact of his legacy on their community (December, 2023)

Students from the Northfleet Technology College during the moment they are announced the winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize Global High School award for Europe and Central Asia (December, 2023)

Pakistan’s KORT Education Complex students celebrating the moment they are announced as Global High School Winners for the South Asia region at the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony (December, 2023)

A moment of celebration for Nigeria’s Gwani Ibrahim Dan Hajja Academy, who are announced as Global High School Winners for the Sub-Saharan Africa region at the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony (December, 2023)

His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence; Professor Salama Gomaa Ali Daoud, President of Al-Azhar University and representative of Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders; Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State for the Vatican City and representative of His Holiness Pope Francis; and Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, attend the inauguration of the first-ever Faith Pavilion at a COP (December, 2023)

HE Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, presents Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, with a Memory Medal to commemorate the inauguration of the first-ever Faith Pavilion at a COP (December, 2023)

Jennifer Jordan Saifi, CEO of the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI), delivering opening remarks at the SMI event at COP28 (December, 2023)

Michael Bloomberg, Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions to the UN Secretary-General, at the COP28 Opening Ceremony (December, 2023)

Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, UAE Minister of State, speaking at the first ever G77 ministerial meeting during a COP (December, 2023)

His Majesty King Charles III of the UK in a group photo at the opening reception of the Business and Philanthropy Climate Forum, co-hosted by the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) and COP28 (November, 2023)

Bill Gates, Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, attending the Business and Philanthropy Climate Forum at COP28 (December, 2023)

Managing Director of the IMF, and Badr

COP28 Special Representative for Business and Philanthropy, attending the COP28 Business and Philanthropy Climate Forum (December, 2023)

John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and Hillary Clinton, former U.S Secretary of State, together with Jennifer Klein, White House Gender Policy Council; Christina Chan, Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate; Shemara Wikramanayake, Macquarie Group; Inger Andersen, United Nations Environment Programme; Louise Mabulo, The Cacao Project; Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad; and Sue Biniaz, Deputy Special Envoy for Climate, at the Women Building a Climate-Resilient World event at COP28 (December, 2023)

Kristalina Georgieva,

Jafr,

COP28: BREAKTHROUGH DECLARATIONS ON HEALTH, RELIEF, RECOVERY AND PEACE

WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE COP28 HEALTH, RELIEF, RECOVERY AND PEACE OUTCOMES HERE

The official Health Day flagship opening at COP28, attended by Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, UAE Minister of Health and Prevention, and Dr. Maria P. Neira, Director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health at the World Health Organization, and other representatives of the health community at COP28 (December, 2023)

The launch of the COP28 Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery and Peace (December, 2023)

COP28: BREAKTHROUGH DECLARATIONS ON HEALTH, RELIEF, RECOVERY AND PEACE

The COP28 Action Agenda highlighted Health, Relief, Recovery and Peace within the global climate agenda, bringing unprecedented focus to these critical issues. COP28 united partners to advance solutions aimed at reducing carbon emissions, limiting air pollution, building low-carbon and climate-resilient health systems, and protecting global health.

The ‘COP28 UAE Climate and Health Declaration’ was launched, garnering endorsements from over 151 countries and securing US$1 billion in new climate-health financing commitments aligned with the transformative ‘Guiding Principles for Financing Climate and Health Solutions’.

COP28 was the first presidency to host a Health Day and a Climate-health Ministerial at a COP, with representation from over 100 countries. This marked a significant shift in the development of climate policies, placing health at the core of ambitious climate action.

COP28:

Dr.

Director-General of the World Health Organization, delivering remarks at the Health Day Opening (December, 2023)

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,

Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais, UAE Minister of Health and Prevention, delivering remarks at the first ever Health Ministerial to be held at a COP (December, 2023)

Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, delivering remarks at the Health Day opening at COP28 (December, 2023)

The ‘COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate Relief, Recovery and Peace’ united governments and entities to bridge the action and finance gap in climate-vulnerable regions facing humanitarian needs.

Additionally, the ‘Charter on Finance for Managing Risk: Getting Ahead of Disasters’ was launched, advocating proactive financial strategies to protect people and manage risks before climate disasters strike.

A panel discussion on Climate, Relief, Recovery and Peace taking place at COP28 featuring (L-R) Itonde Kakoma, Interpeace President; Mafalda Duarte, Executive Director, Green Climate Fund; Álvaro Leyva, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Colombia; Bendito Freitas, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Timor Leste; Salah Ahmed Jama, Deputy Prime Minister, Somalia; Ruqia Abdullah, COP28 Youth Representative; and Anne Bjerde, Managing Director of Operations, World Bank (December, 2023)

Bill Gates, Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, delivering remarks at the Health Day Opening (December, 2023)

Bill Gates, Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in conversation with Becky Anderson, Managing Editor of CNN Abu Dhabi at the Dubai Expo site (December, 2023)

HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE; HH Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes' Affairs; Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of Tanzania; Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President; Bill Gates, Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation; Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health of Sierra Leone, and others come together for a global pledging event raising over US$777 million to help defeat neglected tropical diseases and improve the lives of 1.6 billion people. The event was hosted by Reaching the Last Mile (RLM), the global health initiative supported by His Highness Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (December, 2023)

John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, and Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, participate in a panel at the COP28 Health Day opening session (December, 2023)

His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, providing opening remarks at the Climate, Peace, and Security in the Horn of Africa event (December, 2023)

High-level event on climate actions for food security in fragile settings with Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (December, 2023)

TRANSFORMING CLIMATE FINANCE

WATCH HIGHLIGHTS OF COP28 CLIMATE FINANCE OUTCOMES

Global Climate

Finance

Framework

M

n gFinanceAvailable, AccessibleandAffordable

HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, attends the opening of the special edition of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), alongside HE Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, HE Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President (December, 2023)

TRANSFORMING CLIMATE FINANCE

Finance was a critical pillar of COP28’s success. One key lesson from the Presidency’s listening tour was that climate finance was not available, accessible or affordable enough. COP28 highlighted this issue and convened key stakeholders from Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and private finance institutions, fostering a unique environment for creative and positive collaboration.

(L-R) William Ruto, President of Kenya; Gustavo Petro, President of Colombia; Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana; Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; Emmanuel Macron, President of France; Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President; Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India; Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; and Leo Varadkar, Prime Minister of Ireland, at the Climate Finance Framework event at COP28 (December, 2023)

This effort inspired the COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate Finance, endorsed by 15 countries, which set forth a ten-point plan to usher climate financing into a new era.

The UAE also inaugurated the Global Climate Finance Centre, an industry-leading facility designed to promote and scale up climate finance, especially within the private sector.

Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India; and Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, at the launch of the COP28 Finance Framework (December, 2023)

Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, and Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, at the high-level event on the COP28 Climate Finance Framework (December, 2023)

Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, participates in the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action Meeting (December, 2023)

Heads of Multilateral Development Banks join forces at COP28 to strengthen collaboration toward more ambitious action on climate, nature, health, and gender (December, 2023)

Ilan Goldfajn, President of the Inter-American Development Bank, and Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, in a candid moment during the event Available, Accessible and Affordable: Towards a Climate Finance Architecture that Delivers for all (December, 2023)

Emmanuel Macron, President of France; Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund; and Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, in a discussion on Finance Day at COP28 (December, 2023)

Mohamed Al Hussaini, UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs, at an event on available, accessible and affordable climate finance alongside Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank; Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund; Masatsugu Asakawa, President of the Asian Development Bank; Dilma Rousseff, President of the New Development Bank; Dr. Zamir Iqbal, Vice-President of the Islamic Development Bank; Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group; Jin Liqun, President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank; Ilan Goldfajn, President of the Inter-American Development Bank; and Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (December, 2023)

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization, delivers a speech at “Trade Solutions for Global Climate Action: Global Leaders Unite to Promote a Roadmap of Trade Policy Options for a Just and Ambitious Global Response to Climate Change” (December, 2023)

Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, at the event on “Trade Solutions for Global Climate Action: Global Leaders Unite to Promote a Roadmap of Trade Policy Options for a Just and Ambitious Global Response to Climate Change” at COP28 (December, 2023)

Furthermore, the UAE and Kenya hosted a landmark event to accelerate Africa’s green industrialization, building on the UAE’s existing US$4.5 billion ‘Africa Green Initiative,’ which aims to finance 15GW of renewable energy on the continent by 2030.

Finance will continue to dominate the climate agenda at COP29, where the world must unite to establish a New Collective Quantified Goal for climate finance.

(L-R) Jamal Saleh, Director General, UAE Banks Federation; Shayne Nelson, CEO Emirates NBD; Hana Al Rostamani, GCEO FAB; Khaled M. Balama, Governor of the UAE Central Bank; Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President; Abdul Aziz A. Al Ghurair, Chairman UAE Banks Federation & Mashreq; Ahmed M. Abdelaal, CEO, Mashreq; Ala’a Eraiqat, GCEO ADCB; and Dr. Adnan Chilwan, GCEO Dubai Islamic Bank, at the UAE Banking Sector’s landmark announcement to collectively mobilize over AED 1 trillion in sustainable finance by 2030 (December, 2023)

Launch of the Global Climate Finance Centre at COP28 (December, 2023)

COP28 CHAMPIONS GLOBAL ENERGY

TRANSITION AND EQUITY

WATCH HIGHLIGHTS OF COP28 ENERGY

TRANSITION AND EQUITY OUTCOMES

COP28 CHAMPIONS GLOBAL ENERGY TRANSITION AND EQUITY

The discussions included the critical subject of an energy transition that would ensure universal energy access, drive socio-economic growth, and improve lives and livelihoods globally.

In addition, various private, development, and government funding institutions committed a total of US$85.1 billion in real commitments.

Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, at the Methane Summit at COP28 (December, 2023)

Matai Seremaiah Nawalu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Trade of Vanuatu; Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis; Hage Geingob, President of Namibia; Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission; Paulo Teixeira, Minister of Agrarian Development and Family Agriculture of Brazil; and Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States, at the launch of the COP28 Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge (December, 2023)

Amos Hochstein, U.S. Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor for Energy and Investment, with Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the COP28 President (December, 2023)

Several significant energy and industry coalitions and declarations were established, including:

• 71 countries endorsing the Global Cooling Pledge.

• 37 countries supporting the COP28 UAE Declaration for mutual recognition of hydrogen certification schemes.

• 19 countries and major economies backing the Carbon Management Challenge.

• A special focus on the phase-out of coal and the early retirement of coal-powered plants.

Hillary Clinton, former US Secretary of State, Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Razan Al Mubarak, COP28 High-level Champion, during a group photo for the High-level Dialogue on Gender-Responsive Just Transitions & Climate Action (December, 2023)

Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, delivering the opening remarks for Energy Day at COP28 (December, 2023)

Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, speaking at the Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge High-level Roundtable at COP28 (December, 2023)

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, with Grace Balawag, Deputy Coordinator at Tebtebba for the Indigenous Peoples’ Partnership on Climate Change, Forests and Sustainable Development, and Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, President at the Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad, during a dialogue with the Indigenous Peoples Caucus (December, 2023)

As part of the Just Transition focus, the Presidency held the first-ever Indigenous Peoples Day at a COP.

This ensured a wide representation of views and perspectives on this critical issue.

The COP28 Presidency also prioritized the rights and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples in its approach to nature.

Although indigenous communities represent just 5% of the global population, they protect over 80% of the world’s biodiversity.

COP28 recognized that protecting and investing in the livelihoods and leadership of Indigenous Peoples is essential for meeting global biodiversity and climate goals.

Fred Krupp, President of the Environmental Defense Fund; Musabbeh Al Kaabi, Executive Director of Low Carbon Solutions and International Growth at ADNOC; Peter Abraam, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at International Holding Company; Greg Sharenow, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager at Pimco; Vicki Hollub, President of Occidental Petroleum; Demetrios Papathanasiou, Global Director for the World Bank’s Energy and Extractives Global Practice; and Giulia Ferrini, Programme Manager at UNEP, at a discussion on accelerating the elimination of methane emissions on Energy Day at COP28 (December, 2023)

Fred Krupp, President of the Environmental Defense Fund, at a panel session on accelerating the elimination of methane emissions and the decarbonization of oil and gas on Energy Day at COP28 (December, 2023)

Jasim Husain Thabet, Abu Dhabi National Energy Company’s (TAQA) Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, speaking at the launch of the Utilities for Net Zero Alliance (December, 2023)

Michael Bloomberg, Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions to the UN Secretary-General; Mark Carney, Former Governor of the Bank of England and UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance; Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC; and Faustine Delasalle, CEO of the Mission Possible Partnership and Executive Director of the Industrial Transition Accelerator (ITA), at the launch of the ITA at COP28 (December, 2023)

71 countries endorse the Global Cooling Pledge at COP28 (December, 2023)

INCLUDING MORE LOCAL LEADERS THAN EVER BEFORE

A group photo at the COP28 Urban Ministerial focused on multilevel, Paris-aligned actions (December, 2023)

Mayors at the first-of-its-kind Local Climate Action Summit at COP28 bringing together hundreds of national and subnational climate leaders to enhance global action at the local level (December, 2023)

INCLUDING MORE LOCAL LEADERS THAN EVER BEFORE

INCLUDING MORE LOCAL LEADERS THAN EVER BEFORE

Combatting climate change cannot be achieved solely at the national level. COP28, in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, hosted a historic presence of subnational leaders through the Local Climate Action Summit (LCAS), the first event of its kind at a COP, dedicated to Multilevel Action, Urbanization, Built Environment, and Transport Day.

The summit gathered over 500 subnational leaders, including mayors and governors from more than 60 countries, to transform climate finance, enhance global action, accelerate the energy transition, and strengthen resilience and adaptation at the local level. Nearly US$500 million was mobilized towards urban climate action.

Michael Bloomberg, Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions to the UN Secretary-General and Founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies, speaking at the Local Climate Action Summit (December, 2023)

The COP28 Presidency and Bloomberg Philanthropies announced the groundbreaking Coalition of High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP), endorsed by 72 countries.

This coalition fosters collaboration between national and subnational levels to adopt a new, inclusive, and ambitious approach to updating Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and other climate plans and strategies.

The Multilevel Action, Urbanization, Built Environment, and Transport Day also featured the second Urban Climate Ministerial, co-organized with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28. The Ministerial produced the ‘Joint Outcome Statement on Urbanization and Climate Change,’ integrating efforts across housing, urban development, and environment ministries. Other multilateral outcomes included the launch of initiatives such as the Cement Breakthrough, the Buildings Breakthrough, and the Waste to Zero initiative.

INCLUDING MORE LOCAL LEADERS THAN

The Buildings Breakthrough agreement at COP28 (December, 2023)

YOUTH AT THE FOREFRONT: COP28’S HISTORIC INCLUSION OF YOUNG VOICES

WATCH HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AT COP28

The Dubai Youth Climate Dialogue takes place on Youth Day at COP28 (December, 2023)

YOUTH AT THE FOREFRONT:

COP28’S HISTORIC INCLUSION OF YOUNG VOICES

The COP28 Presidency recognized that young people are disproportionately affected by climate change, yet their voices are often underrepresented. To address this, Youth Day was hosted to amplify their perspectives and agency, redefining what an inclusive COP entails. Young people are frequently marginalized and excluded from decision-making processes, and this initiative aims to change that.

To underscore the importance COP28 placed on youth and children, the Presidency appointed Shamma Al Mazrui, UAE Minister of Community Development, as the first ever COP Youth Climate Champion.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, visiting young delegates at the Youth Hub in the COP28 Green Zone (December, 2023)

Delivery of the Global Youth Statement to Shamma Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Development and the Youth Climate Champion of COP28 (December, 2023)

Young people at an event in COP28’s Green Zone (December, 2023) UAE Astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri meets youth at the COP28 Green Zone (December, 2023)

Youth engage in a capacity building workshop at COP28 Green Zone (December, 2023)

Group photo marking the graduation ceremony of the COP28 International Youth Climate Delegates (December, 2023)

Youth delegates on stage deliver the first-ever report of the Youth Stocktake to COP28 Director-General Majid Al Suwaidi at COP28 (December, 2023)

Group photo at a Minister of Culture’s Program session during the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 (December, 2023)

Youth volunteers at the COP28 Green Skills Fair in the Green Zone (December, 2023)

This appointment ensured a high-level advocate who could effectively represent and raise the voices of young people at the highest levels.

COP28 also featured the presentation of the Global Youth Statement ― a document representing the views of over 750,000 young leaders and survivors of climate change. This Statement compiled their collective policy priorities and concerns and was presented to heads of state and negotiators, showcasing what young people believe the solutions could be.

Another flagship initiative was the Youth Climate Delegate Program, which fully funded and trained 100 young people from the most climate-affected countries to attend COP28. Ensuring that those most impacted by climate change had a voice at the table was crucial to the Presidency.

Additionally, COP28 hosted a Green Jobs Fair, connecting 3,000 young people to leading employers in the sustainability and environmental sectors.

HE Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivers remarks at a special youth event: Investing in Health for Today and Tomorrow at COP28 (December, 2023)

The UAE Ministry of Education hosted the first-ever Greening Education Hub, leading to 40 countries signing UNESCO’s Declaration on the Common Agenda for Education and Climate Change.

The Declaration recognized the vulnerability of young people to climate change and the importance of climate-smart education systems.

The Children, Youth, Education, and Skills Day, which included the second mandated youth-led forum known as the Dubai Youth Climate Dialogue, offered unprecedented direct engagement between youth and government negotiators. The day also featured the launch of the Youth Stocktake Report, the first-ever research analysis of youth engagement in the UNFCCC process.

COP28 will also be remembered for creating a lasting legacy of youth inclusion in climate decision-making by agreeing to institutionalize the role of the Youth Climate Champion in the COP process, ensuring that all future COPs will have a champion representing and advocating for youth.

HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, tours the Ministry of Education's Greening Education Hub - Legacy from the Land of Zayed (December, 2023)

PUTTING NATURE AT THE CENTER OF CLIMATE ACTION

WATCH HIGHLIGHTS OF NATURE OUTCOMES AT COP28

Nature, Land Use and Ocean Day at COP28 (December, 2023)

PUTTING NATURE AT THE CENTER OF CLIMATE ACTION

On December 9, COP28 dedicated the day to Nature, Land Use, and Oceans, emphasizing their crucial roles in both adaptation and mitigation. Unprecedented measures were announced to protect mangroves, forests, and oceans, with significant policy and financial commitments from both public and private sectors.

Dinamam Tuxá from the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities at an event during Nature, Land Use, and Ocean Day at COP28 (December, 2023)

Sônia Guajajara, Brazilian Minister for Indigenous Peoples, speaks at a panel during Nature, Land Use, and Ocean Day at COP28 (December, 2023)

Razan Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and UN Climate Change High Level Champion for COP28, with other climate champions at the Global Climate Action High-Level Event ‘Uniting on the Pathway to 2030 and Beyond’ (December, 2023)

during

Indigenous

Land

and

emphasizing their critical role in the preservation and conservation of nature, biodiversity, and our climate, and their ability to help guide us to achieve Mission 1.5 (December, 2023)

Peoples lead a session during Nature,

Use,

Ocean Day at COP28,

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil; Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia; Dr. Sultan Al Jaber; Marina Silva, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Brazil; Razan Al Mubarak; Maria Jose Andrade Cerda; indigenous leaders from the seven UN sociocultural regions; Professor Johan Rockström and other nature advocates, at the high-level event on nature

COP28’s Leaders’ Summit (December, 2023)

Mariam Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, hosts a panel during Nature, Land Use and Ocean Day at COP28 (December, 2023)

Nearly US$2.7 billion was mobilized to further protect and restore mangroves, 21 countries endorsed the Mangrove Breakthrough, and 30 new countries joined the Mangrove Alliance for Climate since its launch at COP27.

The UAE has long been a global leader in mangrove protection, recognizing their triple benefits as carbon sinks, coastal protectors and biodiversity preservers.

Dr. Johan Rockström, Director of Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, speaking at the Nature segment of the World Climate Action Summit during COP28. The session was presided over by Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28 (December, 2023)

TOGETHER FOR TOMORROW: TRANSFORMING FOOD SYSTEMS FOR HUMANITY

TOGETHER FOR TOMORROW: TRANSFORMING FOOD SYSTEMS FOR HUMANITY

Food systems and agricultural transformation emerged early on as potential climate game changers, given that food production accounts for over one-third of all carbon emissions.

To address this, December 10 was designated as Food, Agriculture & Water Day, bringing together diverse stakeholders to drive systemic change.

Under the COP28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action, signed by 160 countries, the day raised US$3.2 billion and bolstered several key initiatives.

These include the Action Agenda on Regenerative Landscapes, a private sector commitment to transition 160 million hectares of land to regenerative agriculture by 2030, as well as ‘innovation sprints’ and funding through the Agriculture Innovation for Climate platform, the largest R&D initiative for food and agriculture in climate action.

Farmers and traditional food producers, integral to sustainable food systems, join forces to discuss food systems transformation at COP28’s Food, Agriculture, and Water Day (December, 2023)

Bill Gates, Co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Mariam Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, launch a US$200 million UAE-Gates Foundation partnership on food innovation at the Aim for Climate event at COP28 (December, 2023)

Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia; Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy; Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa, Prime Minister of Samoa; Anthony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State; Mariam Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment; Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, Minister of International Development, Norway; Sir David Nunes Nabarro, Director of 4SD Foundation; Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director of CGIAR; Antoine de Saint-Affrique, CEO, Danone; Roberto Waack, President, Renova Foundation; Elizabeth Nsimadala, President of the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation, and others celebrate key outcomes of COP28 on food systems, including the COP28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action (December, 2023)

Indigenous Peoples’ representatives at the Non-State Actors event on Food and Water Security at COP28 (December, 2023)

COP28 also introduced the Emirates Framework for Global Climate Resilience, part of the UAE Consensus, to galvanize global adaptation efforts, particularly in food systems.

Supported by the High-Level Champions, over 200 farmers, cities, businesses, financial institutions, civil society groups, and other non-state actors united behind the Call to Action for Transforming Food Systems for People, Nature, and Climate. This commitment prioritizes actions aimed at building resilient and sustainable food systems for the future.

Juan Carlos Jintiach, Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon River Basin and a member of the Shuar People of the Ecuadorian Amazon, speaks at COP28’s Food, Agriculture and Water Day (December, 2023)

THE FINAL WEEK: SEVEN DAYS AND NIGHTS OF NEGOTIATIONS

Hana Al Hashimi, COP28 Chief Negotiator, reviewing the final text with negotiators in the last hours of COP28 (December, 2023)

THE FINAL WEEK: SEVEN DAYS AND NIGHTS OF NEGOTIATIONS

Following a historically successful first week, COP negotiators got down to the difficult task of finding consensus on an agreed text that would set the direction in response to the Global Stocktake.

The COP28 Presidency and its team of negotiators recognized that more effort was needed to overcome entrenched views. To achieve consensus, the COP28 Presidency met with Heads of Delegations to discuss more ambitious scenarios.

The COP28 team engaged with all negotiating groups to address concerns and seek unity.

These groups, aligned by interests, coordinate positions across the agenda, with countries belonging to one or more of these coalitions.

This ‘shuttle diplomacy’ occurred across two days and nights, continuing through into the early hours of the morning.

COP28 President, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, addresses the media in the final hours of COP28 (December, 2023)

John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate; Jennifer McAllister, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Australia; Shintaro Ito, Minister of Environment, Japan; Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Canada, and others deliberate in the final hours of COP28 (December, 2023)

Negotiators and delegates gather for the final stretch of the negotiations at the COP28 offices at Expo (December, 2023)

COP28 President, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, in a tense moment (December, 2023)

The COP28 President and the COP28 CEO discuss strategy (December, 2023)

Eamon Ryan, Minister for the Environment,

Environment, Climate and Communications of Ireland, speaks to the media (December, 2023)

Delegates awaiting the final negotiations text from the Presidency team (December, 2023)

John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate; Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy of Australia; COP28 President and members of the Ministerial Pairs discuss the text (December, 2023)

Journalists in the COP28 media center (December, 2023)

Hana Al Hashimi discusses the final text with Ministers and delegates (December, 2023)

A delegate working in the closing hours of COP28 (December, 2023)

Member of the Presidency team working throughout the night (December, 2023)

Susana Muhamad, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia, walking over to plenary (December, 2023)

COP28 President taking a last look at the text before the plenary (December, 2023)

COP28 President in the final hours of negotiations (December, 2023)

COP28 Director General addresses the media at COP28 (December, 2023)

COP28 President making calls throughout the final hours to ensure a deal can be reached (December, 2023)

Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, walking over to the COP28 Presidency’s office to review the text (December, 2023)

COP28 President, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, reviews the new text in the COP28 Presidency Office (December, 2023)

COP28 President closely following the final discussion with all the Heads of Delegation (December, 2023)

Espen Barthe Eide, Minister of Climate and Environment, Norway, making final suggestions on the text in the last hours of shuttle diplomacy (December, 2023)

Delegates discussing text in final hours of negotiations (December, 2023)

COP28 President with the CEO and team in the final moments of COP28 before putting the text to delegates for adoption (December, 2023)

THE MAJLIS: AN EMIRATI TRADITION SPARKS CHANGE

As COP28 entered its final stages, intractable disagreements among Parties remained. To foster consensus, the COP28 Presidency called a Majlis, inviting all the Heads of Delegations.

The Majlis begins with the COP28 President urging delegates to speak from the heart (December, 2023)

In his introduction to the Majlis, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, set the tone: "I hope that this setting is going to give us the opportunity to focus on us coming out of this discussion bridge our gaps. I do care about the time that we spend in this discussion. We need to chin

discussion with a set of understandings that will allow us to create the necessary solutions to chin up and look at each other, and to have a proper and direct conversation." (December, 2023)

A Majlis, a uniquely Emirati tradition, allows for open, protocol-free discussions where participants can express their concerns, hopes, and wishes in an informal and relaxed setting.

The Majlis centred around two key questions:

• How do we build transformative ambition on mitigation while addressing just and equitable transitions and corresponding support requirements?

• How do we credibly tackle the gap in adaptation finance and action?

For many Heads of State, the free-flowing, unstructured format of the Majlis was unfamiliar but necessary to positively disrupt the process, break the deadlock, and move Parties closer to consensus. As the Majlis unfolded, negotiators set aside their notes, deviated from pre-prepared national statements, and spoke from the heart.

The change in tone and atmosphere was palpable, and the impact of the Majlis on the final negotiations became evident in the days that followed.

The question remained: would it be enough to pass a text that matched the ambition of the Presidency and gain the agreement of all Parties?

You talk about speaking from the heart, so I am going to do that. By 2040 if nothing is done, then the Marshall Islands will be forced to relocate people. They will have abandoned their home and of course, the bones of their ancestors will be swept under the waves.

JOHN M. SILK, MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND COMMERCE, MARSHALL ISLANDS

What I would encourage everyone to do is not look at it in terms of what your head says. Explore your heart. Put yourself in the position of Bangladesh, in the position of Tuvalu, in the position of the Marshall Islands. It is only when we have empathy; it is only when we are able to put ourselves in the shoes of someone else; it is only when we feel what they feel… that is when we will get progress..

SABER HOSSAIN CHOWDHURY, SPECIAL ENVOY FOR ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE, BANGLADESH

Now the question is, of course, who has the power and where is the power that allows us or not to take decisions.. certain decisions. When our President said last year that he was not going to sign new exploration contracts, the Peso devaluated next week. Then the credit rating agencies came to our Finance Minister and said we are going to downgrade you… because you are putting, on the line, the resources that pay for your debt.

SUSANA MUHAMAD, MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, COLOMBIA

This is the peace project of our time. The power comes from the heavens. It drives the weather systems. It exists in every country and continent in different forms. I absolutely agree with my Colombian colleague Susana. What you say. It needs a complete change to the global financial architecture. That’s no small feat we have. Unite, Act, Deliver. That is what we need to do in the next two days.

EAMON RYAN, MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE AND COMMUNICATIONS, IRELAND

MULTILATERALISM WINS: THE HISTORIC UAE CONSENSUS

WATCH THE FINAL MOMENTS OF COP28 AND THE UAE CONSENSUS COME TO LIFE

MULTILATERALISM WINS: THE HISTORIC UAE CONSENSUS

In the early hours of December 13, the UNFCCC released the negotiated text, unprecedented in its ambition. For the first time in COP history, the text included a clear direction for a just, orderly, and equitable energy transition and set the first global goals to double global energy efficiency and triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030. The text also set a 2030 deadline to end deforestation, a signature victory for nature. The final package of decisions was balanced, addressing issues of mitigation, adaptation, and means of implementation and support, while also considering key priorities for both developed and developing countries.

Although the text matched the Presidency's ambition and was crucial to keeping the 1.5°C target within reach, it needed unanimous approval from all Parties to close COP28 with a decision.

Following protocol, Parties were given three hours to review the text before gathering in the main plenary. The COP Presidency then took to the podium for the final time, announcing the decision on each agenda item and asking if there were any objections.

This collection of six outcomes, including the first Global Stocktake, became known as the UAE Consensus and marked a new era for climate action. The UAE had positioned itself as a leading global power in the fight against climate change, demonstrating that multilateralism could still deliver.

The COP28 President brings down the gavel to mark the historic UAE Consensus Agreement in the closing of COP28 (December, 2023)

HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, Minister of Energy for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Xie Zhenhua, China’s Special Climate Envoy, in a standing ovation at COP28 (December, 2023)

COP28 President, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, at the closing ceremony of COP28 (December, 2023)

Delegates applauding at the closing of COP28 (December, 2023)

Xie Zhenhua, Special Envoy for Climate Change, China (December, 2023)

Selwin Hart, Special Adviser and Assistant Secretary General for Climate Change, United Nations and Saber Chowdhry, Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Bangladesh, shake hands at the closing of COP28 (December, 2023)

Dan Jørgensen, Danish Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities and Saber Chowdhry, Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Bangladesh, celebrate the successful closing of COP28 (December, 2023)

Marina Silva, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change of Brazil at the closing ceremony of COP28 (December, 2023)

Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC and Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President at the closing ceremony of COP28 (December, 2023)

André Corrêa do Lago, Secretary for Climate and Environment of the Ministry of External Affairs, Brazil (December, 2023)

Delegates celebrate at the closing ceremony of COP28 (December, 2023)

John Kerry, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and Marina Silva, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change of Brazil at the closing ceremony of COP28 (December, 2023)

THE COP PRESIDENCIES TROIKA IS BORN: BRIDGING COP PRESIDENCIES FOR LASTING IMPACT

A historic agreement is only as good as its implementation. To improve cooperation and continuity between current and future COP presidencies, Parties at COP28 mandated a unique partnership called the COP Presidencies Troika.

This initiative aims to maintain political momentum, stimulate action, and raise climate ambition in support of ‘Mission 1.5°C’.

This partnership includes the COP28 Presidency represented by Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan’s

Minister for Ecology and Natural Resources, and Minister Marina Silva, Brazil’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. This marks the first time that a current COP presidency has been formally mandated to unite with two future presidencies to foster international cooperation and stimulate ambition.

The Troika will ensure the delivery of the Presidencies’ collective responsibilities and support global priorities, transforming agreements into actions by government and non-government stakeholders.

WATCH THE LAUNCH OF THE COP PRESIDENCIES' TROIKA WITH THE HOSTS OF COP28, COP29 AND COP30 (UAE, AZERBAIJAN AND BRAZIL)

COP29 President-Designate, Muktar Babayev, COP28 President, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, and Brazil’s National Secretary for Climate Change, Ana Toni, at the launch of the COP Presidencies Troika, Dubai (February, 2024)

REFLECTIONS

WATCH THE IMPOSSIBLE BECOME POSSIBLE

As COP28 concludes in the UAE, I thank all the participating delegations that worked together to achieve the historic UAE Consensus to accelerate climate action. I also commend the local and international teams that contributed to the successful organisation of the event. The conference produced significant results, and we will continue to work hand-in-hand with the global community to advance all efforts aimed at securing a more sustainable future for our planet and its people.

HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH MOHAMED BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES AND RULER OF ABU DHABI

We welcome the final announcement of the “UAE Consensus” of the COP28 conference, and we value international cooperation and global consensus for the success of the conference, which was able to reach a set of global declarations and pledges for the first time... and was able to raise $85 billion to launch a new era of global climate action.

We thank all the participating countries, with their leaders, delegations, and specialists, who worked as one global team to make the conference a success, which established new standards in climate action and consolidated the UAE’s position as a major player in building a sustainable future for our planet.

Our thanks extend to all our governmental, security, organizational and political teams, led by my brother Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan, and brother Sultan Al Jaber, and the thousands of employees and volunteers who contributed to producing an exceptional version of this global event in a manner that befits the UAE and commensurates with this international responsibility that the UAE has held through hosting this global event.

HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN

RASHID

AL

MAKTOUM, VICE PRESIDENT, PRIME MINISTER OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES AND RULER OF DUBAI

I have spent a large proportion of my life trying to warn of the existential threats facing us over global warming, climate change and biodiversity loss. But I was not alone. For instance, Sheikh Mohammed’s dear father, Sheikh Zayed, was advocating for clean energy at a time even before the United Arab Emirates, as such, came into being.

After all, ladies and gentlemen, in 2050 our grandchildren won’t be asking what we said, they will be living with the consequences of what we did or didn’t do.

So, if we act together to safeguard our precious planet, the welfare of all our people will surely follow.

We need to remember that the indigenous worldview teaches us that we are all connected. Not only as human beings but with all living things and all that sustains life. As part of this grand and sacred system, harmony with Nature must be maintained. The Earth does not belong to us, we belong to the Earth.

HIS MAJESTY KING CHARLES III OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

COP28 occurred at a decisive moment in the fight against climate change. It is important that the outcome of the Global Stocktake clearly reaffirms the need for limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C and that this requires drastic reductions in emissions in this decade. For the first time, there is a recognition of the need to transition away from fossil fuels –after many years in which the discussion of this issue was blocked.

ANTONIO GUTERRES, SECRETARYGENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS

COP28 delivered some serious strides forward - tripling renewables and doubling energy efficiency, operationalizing the Loss and Damage Fund, and a framework for the Global Goal on Adaptation. The crucial years ahead must keep ramping up ambition and climate action.

SIMON STIELL, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

It has been agreed in the G20 that climate action requires several trillion dollars of climate finance by 2030. Climate finance that is available, accessible and affordable. I hope that UAE’s Climate Finance Framework initiative will provide impetus in this direction. India welcomes the historic decision taken yesterday to operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund. This has brought new hope to the COP28 summit.

NARENDRA MODI, PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA

Let us work constructively, with all countries, to pave the way between this COP28 and COP30, which we will host in the heart of the Amazon.

LUIZ INACIO ‘LULA’ DA SILVA, PRESIDENT OF BRAZIL

At the heart of our discussions at this COP28 must be a package of ambitious energy transition and investment goals and incentives. The strong participation of traditional hydrocarbon energy leaders has transformed the conversation and brought us closer to consensus based on democratic inclusion and the best spirit of collective action, as well as multilateralism.

WILLIAM RUTO, PRESIDENT OF KENYA

South Africa applauds the landmark decision of COP28 to operationalize the new Fund on Loss and Damage and welcomes the pledges that have already been made. We would like to see the fund grow along with the implementation of all other commitments that have been made thus far.

CYRIL RAMAPHOSA, PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICA

The role of water in climate adaptation is gaining recognition. Yet, the relevant interplay between freshwater and mitigation is not generally accepted. Therefore, I applaud our hosts’ attention to water security at COP28 in both adaption and mitigation.

PIRC MUSAR, PRESIDENT OF SLOVENIA

The COP28 Presidency; the UAE has demonstrated real action for Nature, one that is backed by significant financial commitments. The journey to 1.5°C as we all know, is not possible without Nature, and this level of action must be expedited to achieve real progress by COP30.

NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFO-ADDO, PRESIDENT OF GHANA

NATASA

Today, at COP28, world leaders reached another historic milestone-committing, for the first time, to transition away from the fossil fuels that jeopardize our planet and our people, agreeing to triple renewable energy globally by 2030, and more. While there is still substantial work ahead of us to keep the 1.5°C goal within reach, today’s outcome puts us one significant step closer.

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

I want to salute the UAE for establishing the ALTÉRRA fund. The initial US$30 billion, with a goal to scale to US$250 billion, will be critical in mobilizing private sector funds.

MIA MOTTLEY, PRIME MINISTER OF BARBADOS

After 31 years of debates, and for the first time, we have a result that takes into consideration a trajectory of transitioning away from these fossil fuels. Obviously, this road map is an effort we will have to pursue from now on. Developed countries and developing countries must all be committed to having a common responsibility. Developed countries should take that lead.

MARINA SILVA, MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE, BRAZIL

I have great respect for what His Highness and the entire team from the UAE accomplished and the consensus that they built is really important to the world. People came together. Everybody understands the depth of the challenges, and I think people left here reinvigorated. The UAE helped to lead people to see that we can provide wind power, solar power, geothermal power, hydropower, and those are the key ways in which we transition our economies into clean energy economies.

JOHN KERRY, U.S. SPECIAL PRESIDENTIAL ENVOY FOR CLIMATE

I congratulate the COP28 Presidency and countries for this major outcome that clearly states the goal of transitioning away from fossil fuels in line with 1.5°C.

FATIH BIROL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY

WHO thanks the UAE for making health a key priority in its COP28 Presidency, and welcomes this declaration, which emphasizes the need to build climate-resilient and low-carbon health systems, to protect the health of both the planet and people.

DR. TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

Within 20 minutes of your Presidency, you have not only operationalized the Loss and Damage Fund but also capitalized it by getting pledges. This is unprecedented and shows the COP Presidency means business.

COLLINS

NZIVU MP, MINISTER OF GREEN ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT, ZAMBIA, CHAIR OF AFRICA GROUP

For the first time at a COP, trade is front and centre of the climate debate. In conjunction with the leading players in the trade, Trade Day will explore ways to drive real-world solutions and break down the barriers holding up the implementation of game-changing policies and technologies.

DR. THANI AL ZEYOUDI, UAE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN TRADE

Ensuring that nature in its total and most holistic form is recognised, supported, and funded as a prerequisite to climate action has been a priority for the COP28 Presidency. This remarkable political leadership coupled with support and finance from nonstate actors is a testament to the fundamental role of nature not just for this COP, but for all future COPs to come.

RAZAN AL MUBARAK, COP28 UN CLIMATE CHANGE HIGH-LEVEL CHAMPION AND PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE

Today signals a turning point, embedding sustainable agriculture and food systems as critical components in dealing with climate change and building food systems fit for the future. Together we will deliver lasting change for families, farmers and the future.

MARIAM ALMHEIRI, UAE MINISTER OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENT

People felt that this COP may not deliver what they thought. In fact, all that was proven wrong… we got a Consensus. Much was achieved at COP28, principally because of the focus on outcomes.

AJAY BANGA, PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD BANK

One of the unique elements of the UAE Consensus, and the process, was that it helped to unite nations by having a very strong and determined sense of purpose. It is an enormous accomplishment and it was only possible by two elements… uniting all stakeholders from around the world, but with a shared sense of purpose, and a very pragmatic approach to accomplish that purpose.

MARK CARNEY, FORMER GOVERNOR OF THE BANK OF ENGLAND AND UN SPECIAL ENVOY FOR CLIMATE ACTION AND FINANCE

Today was historic for us. For the first time in the COP series, there is some focus on conflict-affected countries. The declaration’s elements are a matter of our survival.

HABIB UR REHMAN MAYAR, DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE G7+ GROUP OF CONFLICTAFFECTED COUNTRIES

For me, the high point of today was clearly the Oil and Gas Decarbonziation Charter, which calls for the virtual elimination of methane emissions, the end of routine flaring and a commitment to independent and public reporting of emissions, using recognized international standards. Now coupled with the oil and gas methane standards that were finalized by the U.S government also today, and the methane initiatives outlined in the UAE, China, U.S Summit…in terms of the temperatures that we will otherwise see in the next decade, today could be the single most impactful day of announcements from any COP in my thirty years at the Environmental Defense Fund.

FRED KRUPP, PRESIDENT, ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND

THE UAE has gone much further than what people could have expected by making sure this was not just talk.

PROFESSOR CARLOS LOPES, CHAIR OF THE AFRICAN CLIMATE FOUNDATION BOARD GUINEA-BISSAU

The COP28 Presidency was able to really bring together so many different views… competing views on the conversation. The planet needed concerted, deliberate action around fossil fuels. The UAE Consensus brings together a number of things like the announcement… to put financing and investment behind the conversation… we are already seeing that six months later that implementation has begun.

DR.

VERA SONGWE, CHAIR AND FOUNDER OF THE LIQUIDITY AND SUSTAINABILITY FACILITY

The Farmers Constituency welcomes the ‘COP28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems and Climate Action’ and strongly agrees that a systems-based approach is essential not only to reduce agricultural emissions but also to deliver a step change in global food security and the well-being of farmers and rural communities.

UNFCCC FARMERS CONSTITUENCY

The major reason for the success of COP28 was that they were wise enough to employ a new model in bringing the world together. The UAE Consensus thus provides a global agenda which is unique but is also new, because never before have we had such a comprehensive, multi-dimensional agreement in the climate efforts.

OLAFUR RAGNAR GRIMSSON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF ICELAND

Friends… it has been a personal privilege for me to have the opportunity to guide this conference. I am humbled by the commitment I have seen and the unwavering efforts I have witnessed. On behalf of the COP28 team, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all who made this happen. To every country who came and made this COP a success, we say thank you. To every single participant, everyone we met in this special place, we say thank you. You have come in record numbers, you care deeply about the future of this wonderful planet… and so do we. And to you, the delegates, who met us at 4 and 5am, we also say thank you.

And to my family, who I have seen far too little of over the last year ― you inspire and motivate me. I would not be standing here without you. Thank you. To my team, who have worked non-stop for over a year… and who have supported me every step of the way in this historic process, I also say thank you. I want to thank His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE and Chairman of the COP28 UAE Higher Committee, for your guidance and support... and every member of the committee for your time and effort. Thank you also to Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the COP28 Hosting Committee and Executive Chair of the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, for her support, her diligence and her continued encouragement.

Finally, allow me to take this opportunity to express my deepest respect and gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. I am deeply grateful for his confidence, guidance and constant support. I hope we made you proud.

DR. SULTAN AL JABER, PRESIDENT OF COP28 UAE