All through COP29 Azerbaijan, Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, has had the privilege of participating in several key discussions focused on enhancing inclusive climate action and strengthening the role of gender-responsive finance in tackling climate change.
Ms. Al Mubarak was honored to host the Alliance for Gender-Responsive Climate Finance roundtable alongside valuable partners including The World Bank, EBRD, and UNFCCC, where the discussion delved into the intersection of gender and climate finance in the context of the Enhanced Lima Work Programme on Gender and its Gender Action Plan. During the session, Ms. Al Mubarak shared the opening remarks alongside former Irish President Mary Robinson, emphasizing the importance of gender-responsive finance. The event aimed to highlight progress on COP28 UAE's Gender-Responsive Just Transitions and raise awareness of the efforts across various sectors, from philanthropy to institutional investment. Ms. Al Mubarak’s fellow High-Level Climate Champions, Nigar Arpadarai, contributed as well with inspiring closing words, driving momentum forward.
At the COP29 Urban and Climate Ministerial: Nature, Health & Agriculture High-Level Roundtable, Ms. Al Mubarak had the honor of speaking alongside Environment Ministers on the nexus of nature, climate, and urbanization. This roundtable supported exchanges of best practices on Nature-Based Solutions and their critical contributions to goals of restoration, food security, and health in urban areas. Together, attendees deliberated on practical pathways to finance multi-sectoral action and enhance multi-level governance, ensuring that action at the city level plays a pivotal role in driving climate action, restoring biodiversity, and promoting human health.
Ms. Al Mubarak also participated in the Marrakech Partnership Action Event: “Investable NDCs for Subnational Action - Towards Low-Carbon, Resilient Buildings and a Just Future” session, where the inauguration of the Intergovernmental Council on Buildings and Climate took place. This session showcased subnational actors leading the way in climate action and emphasized the importance of enabling Nationally Determined Contributions to support multi-level governance and local financing.
Lastly, Ms. Al Mubarak attended an emotional farewell reception in honor of her tenure as High-Level Champion for COP28, marking a chapter of dedication and progress in collective climate action efforts:
“Thank you all for following along, and working for a better future for all.”