The Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) Centre for Climate Diplomacy is actively participating in COP28 by hosting five unique events and participating in a further five, with the participation of more than 45 diplomatic and climate experts.
AGDA’s participation in the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) comes through the auspices of its Centre for Climate Diplomacy and aims to showcase the Academy’s commitment to advancing climate diplomatic efforts, both in the UAE and globally.
Nickolay Mladenov, Director-General of AGDA, stated, ‘AGDA’s active involvement in this critically important global gathering underscores our commitment to co-shaping the global climate diplomatic arena, in line with the objectives set by the COP28 Presidency. The world needs a transformative shift and a re-doubling of everyone’s diplomatic efforts in order to tackle the grave environmental challenges that we all face.’
For his part, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Dhaheri, Deputy Director General of AGDA, undersco
red the importance of actively supporting the discussions, adding, ‘In our pursuit of nurturing highly skilled diplomats ready to address pressing global climate challenges, AGDA plays a pivotal role in fortifying the UAE’s diplomatic initiatives. At COP28, we proudly highlight our dedication to sustainability and resilience, embodying our nation’s commitment to effective climate action.’
Dr. Moustafa Bayoumi, Project Manager of GDA’s Centre for Climate Diplomacy, said, ‘Utilising cutting-edge diplomatic endeavours, the Centre for Climate Diplomacy strives to amplify the capabilities of the UAE’s future diplomatic corps. Our strategic focus on sustainable and climate finance, energy transition, adaptation and resilience, and climate security and diplomacy, is instrumental in addressing the intricate nuances of the climate change landscape.’
Climate diplomacy stands as a cornerstone of the UAE’s commitment to mobilising global collaboration among organisations and both public and private sectors, translating
into concrete actions that reinforce global climate initiatives. This commitment seamlessly aligns with the UAE’s hosting of COP28 and the nation’s historical support of climate change mitigation, having been the first country in the region to sign and ratify the Paris Agreement, and the initial advocate in the Middle East and North Africa for a strategic initiative aimed at achieving climate neutrality by 2050. As such, the UAE places significant emphasis on nurturing fruitful international partnerships in sustainability and climate resilience.
AGDA’s presence at COP28 saw the organisation hosting and co-partnering a number of high-profile events, discussions and panels at COP28, including a panel discussion entitled, ‘From Ideas to Impact: AGDA’s Journey in Promoting and Driving Sustainability’, held at the Greening Education Hub (Green Zone).
AGDA’s co-partnered a discussion entitled ‘Addressing Climate Risks: Cooperation on transboundary climate adaptation in the MENA region’, at the Connect Conference
Centre Auditorium in the Green Zone. This event was held in joint partnership with COP28 Presidency and the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP. VIP speakers included Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme; Clare Dalton, Head of UAE Delegation at the International Committee of the Red Cross; David Harland, Executive Director of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue; Rafat Assi, Vice President of Royal Scientific Society of Jordan and Nickolay Mladenov, Director-General of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy who will Moderate the event.
Also, the academy has organised the Blue Finance at the Royal Majilis, Emirates Golf Course, at which Nickolay Mladenov, Director General of AGDA delivered an opening remarks, with the attendance of Marina Antonopoulou, Chief Conservation Officer of Emirates Nature-WWF, the Rt. Hon. Sir Alok Sharma, KCMG, MP, COP 26 President, Finance and Climate Fellow at the Rockefeller Foundation, Dr. Frank Rijsberman, Director General of Globa
l Green Growth Institute, and Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General, CEO Executive Director, United Nations Global Compact.
The academy will host, tomorrow, 4th December, a session on the issuing of a report entitled, ‘Addressing the Women, Climate Security Triple Nexus in the Arab Region’, at the UAE Pavilion in the Blue Zone, in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On 6th December, AGDA will host a session at the UAE Pavilion in the Blue Zone, under the heading, ‘Accelerating Net Zero: The role of private and state actors’.
Source: Emirates News Agency