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MENA Climate Week increases countries engagements in COP28 |
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The MENA Climate Week (MENACW), which was hosted recently by Saudi government in collaboration with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Riyadh, provided an effective qualification process for countries, institutions and organizations to participate in the United Nations Convention on Climate Change Conference (COP28), which the UAE will host in Expo City Dubai from November 30 to December 12 of this year. MENACW 2023 convened under the theme, “Advancing Inclusivity and Circularity for Just and Equitable Energy Transitions.” It focused on three main pillars: transformation, inclusion, and solutions. Four thematic tracks were discussed during the meeting: Energy Systems and Industry;
The event, which brought together policymakers, private sector firms, youth campaigners, and other key stakeholders in the climate change and sustainability sphere, was convened at a crucial time when a majority of the countries have identified climbing temperatures as a problem and have since promised to take measures to curb the effects of global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius between 2030 and 2050. Participants in Riyadh spoke about the challenges and opportunities for climate action and support in the MENA region, which will help inform the global stocktake and accelerate implementation of the Paris Agreement. The global stocktake, which concludes at COP28, is an opportunity to critically assess where the world stands on climate action and to chart the course forward through increased ambition and action to limit global warming to 1.5°C. ‘’We must work together in order for COP28 in Dubai to become a successful summit that will remain in the memory of all of us,’’ he added. For his part, Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said: “We cannot stop the energy system we are dealing with today, but rather build a new system for the future, before we have sustainable energy.” The ministerial statement commends the four pillars of COP28: fast-tracking the energy transition; fixing climate finance; focusing on people, lives and livelihoods; and underpinning everything with full inclusivity. MENACW 2023 marked the highest-ever attendance of any UN Regional Climate Week to date, convening over 9000 participants and over 240 sessions. |
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