First Cop28 event in Dubai to empower youth for climate action

The first Cop28 event to be held in Dubai — the “Road to Cop28" — is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 15, at Expo City Dubai.

The day aims to raise awareness of the upcoming climate conference's goal of accelerating global action, according to state news agency Wam.

More than 3,000 people, including students, young people in national service, youth climate advocates, disabled people and senior citizens will engage in various activities revolving around four themes: participation, action, voice and education.

The morning programme of workshops will work with pupils aged seven to 15 to understand and tackle climate change.

The afternoon programme will include debates, workshops, sustainability initiatives and performances hosted by organisations including the Federal Youth Authority and the Arab Youth Centre.

The evening programme will be a platform for the UAE authorities to share their ambitions for Cop28 alongside youth climate advocates.

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, President-designate of Cop28, has emphasised the importance of including youth perspectives, vision and skills to drive climate action and create a sustainable future.

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The Cop28 Youth Climate Champion, Shamma Al Mazrui, has called on young people to be change-makers by adopting a culture of flexibility, innovating solutions, and taking opportunities.

Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, says that action is an institutional and societal commitment in the UAE, especially during the Year of Sustainability.

Expo City Dubai chief executive Reem Al Hashimy has reiterated the city’s commitment to sustainability.

The Road to Cop28 event will launch initiatives to encourage youth participation in the UN climate process and amplify the efforts of youth-led and youth-focused organisations.

It will be attended by Cop28 leadership, senior government officials and ambassadors to the UAE.

The alternatives

• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.

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The Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council was established in 1988 and is the highest governing body in Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas industry. The council formulates, oversees and executes the emirate’s petroleum-related policies. It also approves the allocation of capital spending across state-owned Adnoc’s upstream, downstream and midstream operations and functions as the company’s board of directors. The SPC’s mandate is also required for auctioning oil and gas concessions in Abu Dhabi and for awarding blocks to international oil companies. The council is chaired by Sheikh Khalifa, the President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi while Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, is the vice chairman.

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