Razan Al Mubarak Calls for Collective Climate Action at Road to COP28 Event

COP28
Razan Al Mubarak at the Road to COP28 event hosted by Dubai Chambers.

Razan Al Mubarak, UN High-Level Climate Champion for COP28, highlighted the importance of collective climate action among non-state actors including businesses, cities, financial institutions, civil society, and academia.

The event, titled “Road to COP28: Driving Collective Action in the UAE,” was hosted by the High-Level Champions and the Dubai Chamber, with support from the COP28 Presidency. It brought together various stakeholders to mobilize efforts towards inclusive climate progress, focusing on climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience, as well as finance.

Read Ms. Al Mubarak’s statement below:

Yesterday, I had the incredible opportunity to engage with the vibrant business community in the UAE in fostering climate action. Hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, the event was a chance to capitalize on my charge as High-Level Climate Champions: to engage companies, cities, regions, financial institutions, educational bodies, and healthcare organizations on a transformative journey towards halving emissions and building a nature-positive world by 2030. 

As we embark on the road to COP28 UAE, I am keen to engage the non-state actor community in the UAE as they lead the charge towards achieving net-zero emissions and building climate resilience. 

The private sector in the UAE – including CEOs of companies operating in the built environment, finance, and circular economy sectors, with whom I had an opportunity to meet – is not just capable, but fully prepared to take ambitious climate action.

But to realize our goals, we must create suitable regulatory environments and frameworks that support this transformative journey. We need to foster cross-collaboration among different sectors, leverage technology as an enabler, and secure increased financial resources. The UAE’s aim is to collectively drive both global and regional climate action that has a positive impact on nature - and to ensure that all are represented at the table. 

Together, we can make a difference. By working hand in hand, embracing innovation, and prioritizing sustainability, we have the power to drive meaningful change, not only in the UAE but also globally. 

My thanks to the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and the COP28 team for this incredible opportunity for a glimpse into an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for all!

— Razan Al Mubarak

Razan Al Mubarak Named UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28 UAE

COP28

Today, the United Arab Emirates announced that Razan Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), will join the leadership team for United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28), to be held in Dubai in November, 2023, as the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion.

The UN Climate Change High-Level Champion, a position which originated with the Paris Agreement and has become a hallmark of each successive COP meeting, is mandated to mobilize more ambitious climate action and strengthen the engagement of non-state actors in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. 

As the first country in the region to ratify the Paris Agreement, the first to commit to an economy-wide reduction in emissions, and the first to announce a Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, the UAE is committed to raising ambition in this critical decade for climate action. The UAE has appointed a strong and diverse leadership team to support practical, inclusive, and transformational progress towards a successful COP28. Mrs. Al Mubarak is joining H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, who will serve as COP President, and Her Excellency Shamma Al Mazrui, UAE Minister of Youth Affairs, who will serve as Youth Climate Champion.

“I am honored that the UAE has entrusted me with the responsibility to support the COP28 UAE Presidency as UN Climate Change High-Level Champion. The environment has always been central to the UAE’s culture and identity, and it recognizes that a healthy environment, including its climate and biodiversity, is central to everyone’s well being. In my roles as both UN Climate Change High-Level Champion and IUCN President, I can help ensure that we go beyond business as usual, and prioritize nature-based solutions in the upcoming COP negotiations.”

IUCN President Razan Al Mubarak has more than 20 years of experience in conservation and environmental management across the public and private sectors. Her background uniquely positions her to integrate NGOs, Indigenous peoples, and other non-state actors with government efforts and to spur more inclusive climate action.