PRESS RELEASE — The ‘Road to COP28’ event brought together
over 350 prominent business leaders, entrepreneurs, and government officials,
in collaboration with 27 YPO Middle East/North Africa chapters.
اضافة اعلان
Co-hosted by Badr Jafar, COP28 Special
Representative for Business and Philanthropy, the event was attended by H.E.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, H.E. Abdulla Al Basti, Secretary General
of The Executive Council of Dubai, Lieutenant General Mohammed Al Marri,
Director General of the Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship, H.E.
Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, H.E. Mohammad Ali bin Rashed
Lootah, President & CEO of Dubai Chambers, and other officials. The event’s
primary goal was to rally collective efforts and raise regional business
ambitions in tackling climate change in preparation for COP28, and the COP28
Business and Philanthropy Climate Forum scheduled on 1 and 2 December 2023.
The event consisted of a number of keynote
speeches on the preparations for COP28 and opportunities for business to engage
across the COP28 Presidential Action Agenda, including from H.E. Razan Khalifa
Al Mubarak, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, and H.E. Helal
Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
H.E. Al Mubarak shared the goals and vision of
the COP28 Presidency, emphasizing the critical role of mobilizing private
investment to address climate finance gaps. The COP28 Presidency is fully
committed to inclusivity and recognizes that business and philanthropy are
essential stakeholders in developing collective solutions for achieving
net-zero pathways and sustainable development.
The event marked a significant step forward
for the regional business community, as the UAE prepares to host COP28.
Attendees had the opportunity to participate
in sessions focusing on critical aspects of climate action underscored by
COP28’s private sector initiatives; such as the energy sector’s role in global
emissions reductions and the policies driving it, the intersection of climate
finance and technological innovation,
the connection between the built environment and climate, and the
protection of natural assets and food systems in addressing the climate crisis.
COP28 President H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber said,
“In the battle against climate change, government and civil society cannot do
the job themselves. A just and responsible energy transition requires major
private sector investment if it is to become a reality. Businesses must partner
actively with governments and civil society to ensure the right conditions are
established for private sector investment in that transition.”
To drive collective action, COP28 will host
the Business and Philanthropy Climate Forum during COP28, running in parallel
with the World Climate Action Summit.
The Forum aims to coordinate strategies on how
the private sector can help address the financing gap of over USD 3 trillion
required annually to achieve net-zero emissions, support climate adaptation,
reverse nature loss and restore biodiversity.
Mr Jafar, who is also Chair of the Business
and Philanthropy Climate Forum said: “For too long, the climate narrative has
been seen through the prism of activism equals good, and capitalism equals bad.
Which is why the COP28 Presidency has called for a new paradigm of actionism,
which embraces the dynamism, capital, and action networks that business and
philanthropy must bring to the table, if we are to stand a chance in achieving
nature and climate goals. This CEO-level Forum will break down silos and mobilize
global business and philanthropy leaders, along with policy makers, to unlock
solutions and drive bolder results in line with the COP28 Action Agenda.”
UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for
COP28, H.E. Razan Al Mubarak said: "The future of our planet hinges not
solely on government resolutions, but on the innovation, commitment, and
ambition of the private sector. As we stand at this crossroad, it is essential
for businesses and philanthropies to channel their influence and resources,
closing the finance gap and crafting a green legacy for generations to
come."
Director General of Dubai Department of
Economy and Tourism, H.E. Helal Saeed Al Marri commented: “As we approach this
crucial global moment, we hope that Dubai’s unmatched infrastructure and global
accessibility serve as a unifying platform for nations and networks to foster
dialogue, share solutions, and drive climate action. The UAE stands as a beacon
for innovation and collaboration.”
Business leaders who addressed the event
included, Ahmed Galal Ismail, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim, Khaled Al Huraimel,
Group CEO of BEEAH, Rory James McCarthy, Partner at Yellow Door Energy, Samaila
Zubairu, CEO & President of the Africa Finance Corporation, Bader Ataya,
Co-founder of Kitopi, Edward Hamod, Founder & CEO of Switch Foods, Sean
Dennis, Co-Founder of Seafood Sooq, Riad
Bsaibes, President & CEO of Amana Investments Group, Sandeep Walia, Chief Operating
Officer of Mariott International Middle East, Ahmad Ali Alwan, Deputy CEO of
Hub71, and Najla Al Midfa, CEO of Sheraa
- Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center, among others.
The event put a spotlight on the important
role that private sector can play in meeting climate goals, while the COP28
Business and Philanthropy Climate Forum aims to strengthen this collaborative
climate action in line with the COP28 Action Agenda, which includes
fast-tracking a just and orderly energy transition; fixing climate finance;
putting nature, lives, and livelihoods at the heart of climate action; and
underpinning everything with full inclusivity.
Disclaimer:
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