In an effort to promote solidarity and progression in global climate discussions, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber formally handed over the UAE’s COP presidency to Azerbaijan on the first day of COP29. In his address, Dr. Al Jaber urged Parties to build on the UAE Consensus and take an inclusive, integrated approach to climate action, which ensures sustainable economic growth.
Negotiations at COP28 had “proved that multilateralism can move the dial and make a difference”, Dr. Al Jaber said, “In the end, determination conquered doubt and your hard work paid off with first after first for climate progress.”
In his speech, Dr. Al Jaber said he was “humbled by the experience” and thanked the many people who had helped deliver the “historic, comprehensive and groundbreaking UAE Consensus”, including His Highness Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and the entire UAE leadership.
The Consensus contains a series of firsts across the climate agenda, including an agreement on a just, orderly and equitable energy transition, and goals for tripling renewable energy capacity, doubling energy efficiency and ending deforestation by the end of the decade.
“To date, 55 companies have joined the Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Charter (OGDC), covering 44 per cent of global oil production”, said Dr. Al Jaber, he called the OGDC the “most comprehensive private sector partnership on decarbonisation to date.”
Dr. Al Jaber also highlighted the importance of collaboration, referencing a summit held earlier in November in Abu Dhabi that brought together leaders in climate, energy, artificial intelligence (AI) and an integrated effort to drive low-carbon growth.
ALTÉRRA, the world’s largest climate focused investment fund also launched at COP28, has placed $6.5 billion with impact investors – “a model that must be build on”, said Dr. Al Jaber.
The COP Presidencies Troika is a new “mechanism for momentum”, uniting the Presidencies of COP28, COP29 and COP30. The Troika will mobilise multilateral platforms, from the UN to the G20 to “solidify the legacy of the UAE Consensus.”
“History will judge us by our actions, not our words,” concluded Dr, Al Jaba in his speech. “Let positivity prevail and let it power the process. Let actions speak louder than words. Let results outlast the rhetoric and remember, we are what we do, not what we say”.