Youth-led. It will be held at Expo Dubai on March 15

Abdullah bin Zayed announces first 'Road to COP28' event

Abdullah bin Zayed: "The UAE adopts a people-centered future vision in focusing on climate action, and leads a transparent climate process that includes everyone."

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Chairman of the Supreme National Committee to oversee preparations for the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), announced the first event of the "Road to COP28", organized by the Presidency of the Conference, and led by youth, and will be held at Expo City Dubai on March 15.

His Highness said: "The UAE adopts a people-centered vision for the future in focusing on climate action. As the host country of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), it allocates significant resources at all levels of government, and leads a transparent, innovative climate process that includes everyone, as well as all key stakeholders and communities – especially young people – to contribute to the inclusion of practical solutions on the agenda of the Conference."

This event is an important milestone for youth and society in the process of raising awareness and mobilizing efforts towards COP28, as the "Road to COP28" is in line with the conference's endeavor to promote and accelerate global climate action, through the cooperation of all stakeholders and all segments of society in order to achieve the pledges made by the world for future generations.

The event will take place on 15 March and is divided into three programmes, starting with the morning programme of interactive workshops, which aim to inspire, educate and empower students aged 7 to 15 to understand and deal with climate change, in collaboration with Expo School programmes, followed by an afternoon programme for youth, through youth circles, discussions, workshops, sustainability initiatives, and presentations organised by event partners, including the Ministry of Culture and Youth and the Arab Youth Centre. The core of the event, during which the COP28 leadership team will discuss with young climate action leaders the team's aspirations for the upcoming Conference of the Parties hosted by the UAE.

The event will focus on four strategic pillars: participation, action, expression and education, and will witness the launch of initiatives to support youth participation in the United Nations climate efforts and enhance the presence and efforts of youth-serving bodies in the global climate action system. The "Road to COP28" event highlights the priorities and principles of COP28, through a diverse program of interactive activities, with the participation of more than 3000,28 people, including youth joining national service, youth climate activists, people of determination, senior citizens, and others, and the event is attended by a number of senior government officials and ambassadors of brotherly and friendly countries to the UAE.

For his part, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, President-designate of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) and Vice Chairman of the Supreme National Committee to oversee the preparations for the conference, said: "In line with the vision of the leadership in the UAE, we are keen to empower youth and stimulate their active participation in all sectors believing in their energies and capabilities, and we are confident that today's youth will be the leaders of climate action in the future. The young generation has a pivotal role to play in the success of COP28, and we are keen to benefit from their perspectives, insights and skills, as they are important in promoting climate action, and this youth-led event, with the support of the Minister of Community Development, Climate Pioneer, Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrouei, is an important platform to amplify, engage and engage with young people from around the world." He added: "This event confirms our commitment to be a successful, inclusive, and inclusive conference, and we extend an open invitation to the public and private sectors, as well as to all segments and members of society, especially the youth, to participate actively and effectively in the UAE's preparations to welcome the world into COP28."

For her part, the Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, said that climate and environmental action in the UAE is an institutional and societal commitment, especially with the country's leadership declaring 2023 the Year of Sustainability. She stressed that the UAE's hosting of COP28 is an opportunity for everyone to participate in promoting environmental awareness, climate action and strategic partnerships in order to achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. The Minister of Community Development, Climate Pioneer for Youth at COP28, Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrouei, stressed that building youth capacities and raising awareness of climate issues enhances the pivotal role of youth in global climate action, and builds a new path to bring about the desired transformations, calling on young people to achieve change by adopting a culture of resilience, innovating solutions and seizing opportunities, indicating that the UAE's creation of the role of youth climate leader consolidates a sustainable impact for COP28, and ensures the continuity of the leadership role of youth in international climate conferences and events. in the future, and in environmentally friendly practices. Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and CEO of Expo City Authority, said: "Collaborating with and engaging young people can push climate action towards wider horizons that cannot be reached without joint work with future generations, and Expo City Dubai is proud to be a meeting place that brings together change-makers, provides learning and engagement opportunities for young people, and is committed to sustainability and supports the organization of COP28 to be a conference that includes everyone, and focuses on finding real solutions to the challenges facing the world."