- Crown Prince: The organisation of COP28 reflects the UAE’s commitment to bringing together nations and institutions from across the world to generate solutions for critical global issues

- Dr. Sultan Al Jaber provides His Highness updates on the COP28 Presidency’s global listening tour and the preparations & community engagement undertaken in the run up to the event

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, attended a meeting of the Higher Committee overseeing preparations for the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP28 UAE) held at Expo City Dubai.

His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President-Designate and Vice Chairman of the Higher Committee, provided His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed updates on the COP28 Presidency’s global listening tour, and the preparations and community engagement efforts undertaken in the lead up to the climate conference, which will be held at Expo City Dubai from 30 November to 12 December 2023.

His Highness highlighted the importance of local and federal government entities working together as one team to ensure the success of COP28. He said the UAE looks forward to host a dialogue on environmental issues at COP28 that will have an enduring impact on global sustainability and the future of humanity. The organisation of the event reflects the UAE’s commitment to bringing together nations and institutions from across the world to generate solutions for critical international issues. Consistent with the UAE’s success in hosting mega

global events, COP28 promises to open new pathways to resolve global environmental and climate-related challenges, His Highness added.

The meeting built on the discussions at the previous Higher Committee meeting chaired by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Chairman of the COP28 UAE Higher Committee.

His Excellency Dr. Al Jaber said: “The COP28 Presidency is actively consulting with and listening to all stakeholders on the first leg of our listening tour, to connect the efforts of all stakeholders in co-creating concrete solutions across mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage and climate finance. This is crucial to COP28’s vision for an open, transparent and inclusive process that builds on previous climate progress, enhances the buy-in of diverse stakeholders and advances groundbreaking outcomes, solutions and partnerships towards achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.”

Dr. Al Jaber highlighted that rallying global, regional and national efforts in a concerted drive towards meaningful climate action, and ensuring all segments of society, from businesses and non-government organisations to youth, women and civil society, have a constructive role to play in the lead-up to and at the climate summit, are key to COP28’s success.

During the meeting, Her Excellency Shamma Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Development and COP28 Youth Climate Champion, highlighted efforts undertaken to accelerate local and international youth participation, and prioritise the voices, needs and skills of young people on the global climate agenda.

Her Excellency Mariam Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, affirmed the UAE’s commitment to bold national climate action that aligns with COP28’s vision for transformative progress and the UAE’s 2023 theme ‘Year of Sustainability’.

The meeting also included an in-depth discussion of all logistical preparations that will create a seamless experience for delegates and visitors, from maximising accessibility to creating opportunities for all groups to engage in discussion and activities.

The COP28 UAE Higher Committee is comprised of ministers and government officials who represent the collective efforts of the government, various industries and sectors, at all levels, to prepare for the COP28 UAE climate summit.

Members of the Higher Committee include His Excellency Mohamed Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs; Her Excellency Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; His Excellency Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment; His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade; Her Excellency Shamma bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Development; His Excellency Muhammad Abdullah Al Junaibi, Chairman of the Federal Authority for Protocols and Strategic Narratives; and His Excellency Lieutenant-General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police.

Members also include His Excellency Lieutenant-General Talal Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Director General of the State Security Department at Dubai Police; His Excellency Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Commander-in-Chief of the Abu Dhabi Police; His Excellency Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), His Excellency Rashid Saeed Al Ameri, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Presidential Court for Government Coordination Sector; His Excellency Major General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaili, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Interior; His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism, His Excellency Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and His Excellency Dr. Jamal Mohammed Al Hosani, representing the Supreme Council for National Security.