UAE President Awards Key Figures For Successful COP28 Organisation

In a significant gesture of appreciation for their instrumental roles in the successful hosting of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has conferred prestigious awards upon key figures within the United Arab Emirates. The ceremony, held at Erth Hotel in Abu Dhabi, saw the distribution of the nation's highest honors to those who played a pivotal role in the conference's organization and execution.

At the forefront of these accolades, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, along with His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, were both awarded the Order of Zayed. This recognition comes in light of their crucial contributions to COP28's success.

Additionally, the Order of the Union was bestowed upon several key figures including His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Advisor; His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Higher Committee overseeing COP28 preparations; Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation; His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President; and His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Al Junaibi, Chairman of the Federal Authority for Protocol and Strategic Narrative.

The UAE’s COP28 negotiating team, along with members of the COP28 Presidency Office and various working groups, were honored with the First Class Order of Zayed II for their dedication and hard work. In a similar vein, Her Excellency Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, received the Order of the Union for her significant role in Expo 2020 Dubai's success.

During the ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed his pride in the honorees' achievements. He highlighted their organizational skills, comprehensive knowledge in specialized fields such as diplomacy and law, climate policies, and their ability to maintain composure under strict timelines. These skills were crucial in fostering consensus among the 198 parties involved in COP28.

The President emphasized that COP28's success was a collaborative effort that underscored the UAE's commitment to addressing climate change, promoting international action in this critical field, and fostering sustainability. The historic UAE Consensus reached at COP28 was particularly lauded as a key turning point in global climate action.

The recipients expressed their gratitude for the recognition, thanking the UAE leadership for facilitating their work during COP28. They also acknowledged the COP28 Presidency for providing them with a historic opportunity to represent the UAE on such an important stage.

The ceremony concluded with a photo session featuring His Highness the President alongside all honored individuals and teams from COP28. This event not only celebrated their achievements but also reinforced the UAE's standing as a leader in hosting major international events and its commitment to global climate action.

With inputs from WAM