UAE Sets Stage For COP29 With Strategic Climate Action Plans, Led By Sheikh Abdullah

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Chairman of the Preparatory Committee for the UAE’s Participation in COP29, has emphasised the need to follow up on the historic UAE Consensus to limit global temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees Celsius. This was discussed during the committee's fourth meeting, held remotely to review progress over the past six months and plan for COP29 in Azerbaijan this November.

Sheikh Abdullah highlighted the growing relationship between the UAE and Azerbaijan across various sectors, including climate action. He expressed his desire to build on the success of the UAE Consensus and COP28 to enhance COP29's agenda and global climate efforts. He also praised Azerbaijan's efforts in advancing global climate action and wished them success in hosting COP29.

The committee reviewed future plans and initiatives to support COP29's success, scheduled for November in Baku. Discussions included the COP28 Presidency’s participation in related events, progress on its action plan, and collaboration with the COP29 team. The working teams highlighted key points from the COP29 Presidency’s messaging, such as raising ambitions, climate finance, empowering climate action, international cooperation, loss and damage, and the action agenda.

The meeting also touched on the UAE’s water-related initiatives, stressing their importance during participation in Azerbaijan. Additionally, discussions focused on enhancing the role of the UAE’s national negotiating team at COP29 to represent the country’s positions effectively. The UAE’s efforts to submit transparent reports on its climate commitments were reviewed, including joining the Partnership for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC Partnership), which promotes sustainable development and tools for climate adaptation.

Sheikh Abdullah praised intensive diplomatic efforts made by working teams since COP28 concluded in December. He stated, "COP28 was a historic event where the UAE Consensus and the COP Presidency’s action plan provided a successful model for multilateral diplomacy, producing a comprehensive negotiation text with practical solutions to mitigate climate change." He added that COP29 in Azerbaijan presents an opportunity to build on those achievements and continue turning agreed outcomes into reality.

Committee's Preparations for COP29

The Preparatory Committee for the UAE’s Participation in COP29 includes ministers and officials from various sectors. During the meeting, committee members outlined their preparations for ensuring cohesive government efforts across strategic, diplomatic, economic, and technological sectors. This aims to ensure an active role for the UAE at COP29 while reinforcing its international climate commitments and legacy from COP28.

The committee discussed pivotal roles within its national negotiating team at COP29. They focused on enhancing representation of UAE positions effectively. The meeting also reviewed transparent reporting efforts on climate commitments aligned with UNFCCC membership.

At the close of the meeting, Sheikh Abdullah thanked committee members and urged them to continue supporting efforts to raise ambitions and enhance climate action.

With inputs from WAM