The COP28 Presidency officially presented the COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery, and Peace, emphasizing its dedication to intensifying global initiatives for enhancing the resilience of fragile and conflict-affected countries and communities against the impacts of climate change.
The declaration, endorsed by 70 governments and 39 organizations, underscores a collective commitment to boost investments and actions aimed at bolstering resilience in regions and communities impacted by conflict, fragility, or humanitarian crises.
Ambassador Al Suwaidi, COP28 Director-General, highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on fragile and conflict-affected settings, where extreme weather events affect three times as many people annually compared to other regions. Despite this, people in extremely fragile states receive significantly less climate finance, up to 80 times less, than those in non-fragile states. The COP28 Presidency is dedicated to driving action and consensus to address this imbalance.
On the same day, the 'Getting Ahead of Disasters Charter' was launched, outlining principles for collaborative action to manage climate-related risks and safeguard vulnerable populations. Both the declaration and the charter are part of various initiatives at the UN Climate Change Conference to expedite global resilience efforts.
The COP28 Presidency UAE, IGAD, and the UN collaborated to introduce a regional climate security strategy for countries in the Horn of Africa. Additionally, the COP28 Presidency partnered with the UN Secretary-General to garner new support for 'Early Warnings for All,' an initiative aiming to cover the entire globe with early warning systems by 2027.
December 3 was dedicated to health, focusing on protecting communities from climate change threats. The day featured the first-ever Climate and Health Ministerial at a COP, bringing together Health Ministers and senior health delegates from over 100 countries. The ministerial garnered support for the COP28 Climate and Health Agenda and the 'COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health,' endorsed by over 120 countries, mobilizing over $1 billion in climate health financing.
Ambassador Al Suwaidi emphasized the need to concurrently address current health and well-being needs while building the energy system of the future, particularly in rapidly enhancing the climate resilience of healthcare systems and reducing climate-health risks. 'Protecting Lives and Livelihoods' is a central pillar in the COP28 Presidency's Action Agenda, focusing on people, nature, lives, and livelihoods.
(With Agency Inputs)
