The first-ever participation of Kosovo, a non-UN member, at the UN Climate Conference in Dubai, reinforces that COP28 will ‘leave no one behind’ as envisaged by the host UAE, Kosovan President Dr. Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu told the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
‘And finally, it has given us a voice, a voice that we did not really have at COP before. So, we are so very grateful to President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for sending me the invitation to be the very first president in our history to represent Kosovo at COP’, she told WAM on the sidelines of the UN conference.
Leaving no one behind
Osmani-Sadriu was referring to the announcement made by Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President, that the UAE wants the COP28 to be practical and show solidarity between the global north and south that “leaves no one behind”.
The Kosovan President added, ‘We have been trying to put the emphasis on this principle… leaving no one, truly no one, behind.’
Kosovo, a western Balkan nation, became independent in 2008 and waiting for membership in the UN as well as the European Union. Osmani-Sadriu became the youngest president of Kosovo in 2021. Occupying the top post at 38, she is one the youngest heads of state in the world. With a doctorate in Law from University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania in the US, she has worked as a lecturer at several prominent universities.
Climate change, she pointed out, affects everyone irrespective of the borders. ‘It is a problem without a passport. It doesn’t really ask your nationality or your country. So, we need to make sure that this principle [leaving no one behind] is overreaching to countries big and small around the world, irrespective of their status in the UN.’
Access to climate funds for all
‘This has been an amazing COP in terms of the financial pledges and commitments made to fight climate change,’ the President emphasised.
She expressed hope that these commitments would make meaningful results with all countrie
s around the world, including Kosovo, getting access to such support.
Not being a member of the UN meant Kosovo did not have access to any of the financial support projects that were introduced so far at previous COPs, she noted.
Therefore, Osmani-Sadriu revealed that Kosovo is trying to find access to such financial support mechanisms, bilaterally to begin with, and then to alternative funds, many of which have been introduced this year by the UAE, the United States, the EU and other countries.
‘COP28 has been an amazing platform for us to build on partnerships with countries around the world. I had the opportunity to sit down with friends from different continents and see how we can take these relationships to new heights.’
At COP28, Kosovo has the opportunity to present its first voluntary NDC, or Nationally Determined Contribution, and to speak at many panels to tackle the global challenges, she said, referring to the climate action plan of each country to cut emissions and adapt to climate impacts.
It is also an opportunity for the young leader ‘to advocate that each and every country has its specificities and there must be local ownership for the solutions that we push forward.’
Kosovo-UAE cooperation
The UAE has been a great example of renewable energy, the President said.
Kosovo wants to take courageous actions in the energy transition, and she expects the UAE’s partnership in this regard.
Agriculture sector is another potential area of cooperation. ‘But unless we really build on technologies and infrastructure that will protect our agricultural sector and the agriculture communities from the damages caused by climate change, especially through floods, we will not be able to actually invest in food security as much as we can,’ Osmani-Sadriu explained.
Another area to work together is technology, she noted. ‘Kosovo has an amazing youth that has been doing wonders in the information and technology sector.’
She said her country has gained high ranks in international reports on IT competitiveness.
‘I think we can work pretty well with the UAE in this regard to make sure that the biggest technological advancements can be used to combat climate change.’
Economic relations
Talking about prospects in bilateral economic relations, the President said, ‘I am very optimistic that very soon the people of Kosovo and the UAE will see the first fruits of this partnership.’
She is satisfied with the current status of bilateral ties and optimistic that ‘we can take this relationship to new heights. There is an enormous potential that has not been touched so far. We need to make sure that both parties work in that direction, and we deliver for our people. I think we owe that to the very special relationship that exists between people of Kosovo and the UAE”.
Kosovans are very proud to continue on the legacy of the founders of the UAE who always made sure that Kosovo has a voice and always made sure that the people of Kosovo have the support and the helping hand of the UAE during some difficult moments, Osmani-Sadr
iu explained.
‘So now when we see that the future of Kosovo is very bright not only because of its people, but also because of the partners, allies and friends that we have. It is up to us to make sure that this partnership grows by the day and delivers more for our people,’ the President said.
Source: Emirates News Agency