UAE Transfers COP Presidency To Azerbaijan: A New Chapter In Climate Action

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, delivered his handover speech as COP28 President at the start of COP29 in Azerbaijan. He reflected on a term marked by significant progress in climate initiatives. Dr. Al Jaber urged all parties to unite and act decisively over the next two weeks in Baku.

"By delivering the historic UAE Consensus, we accomplished what many thought was impossible," Dr. Al Jaber stated during the official transfer of the Presidency to Mukhtar Babayev. He emphasised that negotiators at COP28 demonstrated that multilateralism can drive meaningful change, achieving unprecedented milestones for climate progress.

The UAE Consensus, established at COP28, has become a key reference for global climate ambition and sustainable development. It includes agreements on a fair energy transition, tripling renewable energy capacity, doubling energy efficiency, and ending deforestation by 2030. Dr. Al Jaber noted that these initiatives have gained momentum since COP28 concluded.

Highlighting collaboration's importance, Dr. Al Jaber mentioned a recent summit in Abu Dhabi that united leaders from various sectors to promote low-carbon growth. "When sectors work together, we can lift economies and lower emissions," he said, stressing the need for integrated efforts to achieve socio-economic and climate progress.

Significant strides have been made in finance as well. The Philippines was appointed host country for the Board of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage. More than $850 million has been pledged to this fund since its operationalisation at COP28 last year.

The Oil & Gas Decarbonisation Charter (OGDC), described as "the most comprehensive private sector partnership on decarbonisation to date," now includes 55 companies representing 44% of global oil production. This initiative underscores the private sector's role in achieving decarbonisation goals.

Future Goals and Mechanisms

At COP29, parties are expected to establish a New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance that aligns with implementing the UAE Consensus fully. Dr. Al Jaber highlighted the creation of the COP Presidencies Troika as a mechanism uniting COP28, COP29, and COP30 Presidencies to maintain momentum.

This Troika aims to mobilise multilateral platforms like the UN and G20 to solidify the legacy of the UAE Consensus. Dr. Al Jaber encouraged all parties to adhere to this roadmap to keep global warming within 1.5°C.

A Call for Action

Dr. Al Jaber concluded his address with advice for incoming COP29 President Babayev: "The consensus we achieved in Dubai was historic. Yet history will judge us by our actions, not our words…. Let positivity prevail and let it power the process." He urged that actions should speak louder than words and results should outlast rhetoric.

With inputs from WAM