BY SINTAYEHU TAMIRAT
The world is at crossroads due to climate change, warned COP28 President, Sultan Al Jaber.
COP28 Climate Summit Officially Opened in Dubai, UAE Thursday afternoon at the presence of hundreds of world leaders.
“It’s a pivotal time in this critical decade of climate change. We know as you know the gravity of this moment. We feel as you feel the urgency of this work. And we see as you see the world has reached at crossroads,” said Sultan, addressing the gathering.
He also mentioned the progress made since the Paris Agreement, which is a legally binding international treaty on climate change and adopted by 196 Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, on 12 December 2015. It entered into force on 4 November 2016.
“But the road we have been on will not get us to our destination in time,” he warned. “The science has confirmed. The time is now to find a new road. A road wide enough to all of us and free of the obstacles of the past.”
Every nation has an immediate role to play in climate action, sultan noted. “I ask you to adopt a different way of thinking and I ask you to be flexible. We must ensure that this COP[28] delivers the most ambitious stock-take possible,” urged Sultan.
Former US Secretary of State John Kerry for his part said the United States underscores the importance of ensuring access by civil society to COP28. The success of the conference depends on the meaningful participation of climate activists, human right activists and others.
COP27 president, Sameh Shoukry for his part said his presidency has been amid challenging international contexts: as the world reviving from COVID19 impacts and facing the ramifications of the war in Ukraine.
“However, it was a time when commitment for greater cause was prevailed, a landmark in collective progress to ensure inclusive and effective global climate action,” said the Egyptian.