UAE: Global Dignitaries Honoured for Contributions to COP28 Outcome 

This week, an honouring ceremony was held in Abu Dhabi to recognise the contributions of politicians, former heads of state, policymakers, and indigenous people to COP28 and its outcome. There, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, awarded international officials the First Class Order of Zayed II medal.

At the ceremony, His Highness thanked recipients for their efforts towards the climate summit, which resulted in the UAE Consensus, an agreement to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems in “a just, orderly and equitable manner.” 

The ceremony was attended by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Adviser for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court; Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President; Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office (NMO), and a number of officials.

Honorees included: 

• Dan Jørgensen, Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy, Denmark, who was part of the Global Stocktake ministerial pair, which contributed to consultations with Negotiating Groups and Parties.
• Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, Egypt, who was highlighted as a “vocal advocate” of the UAE and COP28 Presidency, as well as part of the finance ministerial pair, which contributed to consultations with Negotiating Groups and Parties.
• Dr. Muawieh Radaideh, Minister of Environment, Jordan, a COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee member who reportedly advocated for COP28 among parties.
• Alioune Ndoye, Former Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development, and Ecology Transition, Senegal, and Chair of the Least Developed Countries Negotiating Group, who supported in garnering inputs and support among the most climate-vulnerable countries on the UAE Consensus outcomes.
• Ruslan Edelgeriev, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, Russia, who reportedly provided “key support” in driving consensus on the Global Stocktake and negotiated outcomes.
• Ambassador Pedro Luis Pedroso Cuesta, former Chairman of G77 and China, Cuba, who was a “strong supporter” of COP28 and played a key role in unifying the G77 and China around COP28 draft negotiated outcomes, especially the Global Stocktake.
• Ambassador Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Dr. Pa’olelei Luteru, Permanent Representative to UN, Samoa, and Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States, who helped to ensure small island developing states’ input and support in the final decisions, particularly on mitigation and Loss and Damage.
• Mark Carney, UN Special Envoy for Climate Action, who was called a “supportive partner” to the UAE, particularly concerning the delivery of key Presidential Action Agenda outcomes across climate finance and energy.
• Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, CEO, Sustainable Markets Initiative, who was a firm advocate of COP28 and facilitated the engagement of senior government leaders.
• Kate Hampton, CEO, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, a COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee member who provided valuable advice in the lead-up to and during the climate summit.
• Badr Jafar, CEO, Crescent Enterprises, a dedicated COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee member and Special Representative for Business and Philanthropy who mobilised multistakeholder engagement at the Business & Philanthropy Climate Forum to advance net zero and nature-positive goals.
• Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, who was a “firm advocate” for the UAE in the lead-up to the climate conference, especially on advancing climate finance outcomes and reform of the international financial system.
• Larry Fink, Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock, a COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee member who provided counsel to COP28 in the run-up to the conference and beyond.
• Dr. Vera Songwe, Chair and Founder of the Liquidity and Sustainability Facility, who was highlighted as “instrumental” in helping COP28 deliver the Global Climate Finance Framework and climate finance outcomes.
• Hindou Ibrahim, President of the Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad, who was a committed member of the COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee.
• Prof. Carlos Lopes, Chair of the African Climate Foundation Board, a member of the COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee who lent his support and guidance to COP28.
• Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, who provided expertise on food systems transformation and supported the delivery of the COP28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems and Climate Action.
• Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, who was a “supportive partner to COP28” and mobilised global cooperation and co-convened four high-level energy dialogues in the lead-up to COP28.
• Prof. Saleemul Huq, who was a “passionate advocate” for addressing climate challenges affecting the world’s most vulnerable, and was posthumously honoured. He passed away at 71 in October 2023, with his wife, son and daughter accepting the award from His Highness the President.
• Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, former President of Iceland, who provided “political guidance and counsel” as a COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee Member.
• John Kerry, former US Presidential Climate Envoy, who was described as an “active and loyal” partner to the UAE in the lead-up to and during COP28 by enhancing global cooperation and advocating for COP28.