NEW YORK, 21st September, 2023 (WAM) — Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President-Designate, delivered a powerful address at the UN Climate Ambition Summit in New York today, rallying the international community to confront the climate crisis with determination and resolve. He emphasized that despite the challenges, “we are not powerless” and called for bold action on a global scale.
The UN Climate Ambition Summit, convened by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, drew world leaders, representatives from the private sector, and civil society to discuss critical climate issues.
In his impassioned speech, President-Designate Al Jaber urged the world to be courageous and resolute in achieving its climate ambitions. He stressed the importance of getting “back on track” and reaffirming the founding principles of the UN, transcending political boundaries, and focusing on long-term goals. Al Jaber emphasized that “climate change is our common enemy, and we must unite to fight it.”
Referring to recent data from the first Global Stocktake, which indicated a shortfall in climate efforts, Al Jaber acknowledged that time is running out but firmly stated that it is not too late to alter the course. He challenged the global community to respond to this assessment with heightened ambition, stating, “We know the size of the problem. The numbers are straightforward: 22 gigatons. That’s the amount of greenhouse gas emissions we need to cut in the next seven years to keep 1.5 degrees Celsius within reach.”
Al Jaber expressed his belief in humanity’s capacity to collaborate, overcome differences, and harness the power of collective action. He underlined that in the face of the climate crisis, the world will rediscover its greatest strength: the ability to work together for a common cause.
The speech by Dr. Al Jaber at the UN Climate Ambition Summit took place just 71 days before COP28, the global climate summit scheduled in the United Arab Emirates. Dr. Al Jaber emphasized the relentless efforts to advance an ambitious climate agreement among all 198 Parties. He also stressed that addressing climate change requires more than just agreements; it demands action. This is precisely what the COP28 Action Agenda aims to achieve.
The COP28 Presidency’s ‘Action Agenda’ outlined by Dr. Al Jaber focuses on several key pillars:
- Fast-Tracking Energy Transition: Dr. Al Jaber called for a rapid transition to renewable energy sources, emphasizing the need to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030. He highlighted the importance of energy efficiency improvements and urged a realistic approach to transition heavy-emitting sectors, recognizing that they cannot solely rely on renewables.
- Fixing Climate Finance: Addressing the financial aspect of climate action, Al Jaber emphasized the importance of delivering on the $100 billion climate finance pledge. He also called for the mobilization of private capital and urged reforms in international financial institutions and carbon markets to unlock trillions for climate investments.
- Focusing on People, Lives, and Livelihoods: Al Jaber highlighted the need to prioritize the well-being of individuals and communities. He advocated embedding nature-positive investments in national climate strategies, promoting sustainable agriculture, and addressing global health concerns within the COP agenda. He also stressed the importance of adaptation finance and support for Loss and Damage.
- Full Inclusivity: Dr. Al Jaber called for unity and collaboration among all stakeholders, including negotiators, the private sector, world leaders, subnational leaders, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and philanthropists. He emphasized the inclusive nature of COP28, aiming to facilitate the participation of diverse groups.
Dr. Al Jaber concluded his speech with a call to action, urging leaders to turn pledges into tangible projects and ambition into concrete action. He implored the global community to be brave, bold, and resolute in their pursuit of gigatons of emissions reductions, emphasizing unity and collective action as the keys to success in combating climate change.
