H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Chairman of the Higher Committee overseeing preparations for the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP28), announced the first COP28 Presidency-hosted and youth-led event, ‘Road to COP28’, will be held at Expo City Dubai on March 15.
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed said: “The UAE has embraced the vision of a climate-focused future with people at the center. As the host country of COP28, the UAE is dedicating significant resources at all levels of government to lead a transparent, innovative, and inclusive climate process that brings together key stakeholders and communities – particularly youth – to collectively drive a solutions-oriented COP28 agenda.”
This event represents a significant moment for the country’s youth to come together and join the wider community towards raising awareness and mobilizing an all-of-society effort towards COP28. The ‘Road to COP28’ event aligns with COP28’s goal to accelerate global climate action, with all parties and stakeholders across society working together to achieve the pledges made for future generations.
Program and Activities
The day-long event on March 15 consists of three programs, starting with a morning program of interactive workshops to inspire, educate, and empower young students ages 7 to 15 to understand and tackle climate change.
The afternoon program will include youth circles, debates, workshops, sustainability initiatives, and performances hosted by partners, including the Federal Youth Authority and the Arab Youth Center. The main evening program will be a platform for the UAE’s leadership to share their ambitions for COP28 alongside youth climate advocates.
With climate action at the center, the event will revolve around four strategic pillars: participation, action, voice, and education. The ‘Road to COP28’ will also see the launch of key initiatives to enhance youth participation within the UN climate process and amplify the efforts of youth-led and youth-focused organizations in the global climate community.
The ‘Road to COP28’ event will highlight the priorities and principles underpinning COP28, through a varied program of activities to engage with more than 3,000 people, including students, youth in national service, youth climate advocates, people of determination, senior citizens, and more. The event will be attended by COP28 leadership, senior government officials, and ambassadors to the UAE.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber: Driving an inclusive climate agenda with youth at the center
Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, President-Designate of COP28 and Vice-Chairman of the Higher Committee overseeing preparations for COP28 said, “The youth of today are the climate leaders of tomorrow. Central to the success of COP28, which is taking place later this year, we are keen to ensure that their perspectives, vision and skills are included to drive climate action. Led by COP28’s Youth Climate Champion, Shamma Al Mazrui, this youth-led event is a crucial milestone in the inclusion of and ongoing engagement with young people across the world. The COP28 Presidency firmly believes in delivering a COP for all, and this calls for active participation from all of society, all of government and the whole country as we prepare to welcome the world to the UAE for COP28.”