ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber; President-Designate for the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP-28) and United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Special Envoy for Climate Change, the Minister for Industries and Technologies, the Managing Director and CEO of ADNOC, and the Chairman MASDAR; visited Pakistan on July 06, 2023.
During the visit, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber called on Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and discussed bilateral matters as well as regional and international issues of common interest, with particular reference to the climate change agenda.
The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s support to the UAE for COP-28 and expressed confidence in the President-designate’s stewardship of the important Conference.
#DrSultanAlJaber connected with Pakistani Prime Minister @CMShehbaz in Islamabad to strengthen cooperation and discuss #COP28 priorities for transformative climate progress, with a focus on support for developing countries on the frontline of climate change. pic.twitter.com/SQa6gP5W2G
— COP28 UAE (@COP28_UAE) July 6, 2023
Dr. Al Jaber appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in combating adverse effects of climate change as one of the most impacted countries.
The President-designate COP-28 also expressed the UAE’s keen interest to invest in renewable energy projects in Pakistan.
The two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), in the Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s presence, outlining a roadmap of such investment in Pakistan.
#COP28 President-Designate & Pakistani Prime Minister @CMShehbaz witnessed a MoU signing between the🇦🇪’s @MOEIUAE & @GovtofPakistan to cooperate on the development of renewable energy projects in Pakistan in efforts to accelerate a just energy transition and scaling up renewables pic.twitter.com/AXW9fMmPJB
— COP28 UAE (@COP28_UAE) July 6, 2023
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber held a meeting with the Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rahman.
The Minister for Climate Change congratulated the President-designate on UAE’s hosting the next COP-28 and briefed him on Pakistan’s concerns in the wake of global climate change.
#DrSultanAlJaber met Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Climate Change & Environment @sherryrehman, to discuss the need for a global reset that enhances support for developing countries on the frontline of climate change, a key priority of #COP28. pic.twitter.com/LY2J5GGqfB
— COP28 UAE (@COP28_UAE) July 6, 2023
Both sides discussed prospective solutions to the problems emanating from these changes including operationalizing the Loss and Damage Fund created at COP-27 in Sharm-Al-Sheikh last year.
The visiting dignitary also addressed diplomats, academics, students and civil society representatives at the Foreign Service Academy.
Sharing his vision as the President-designate, Dr. Jaber said that COP-28 would be an inclusive and transformative platform for mitigating global climate woes. He also held a meeting with youth delegates from COP youth programme during the visit.
Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber’s visit provided an opportunity for substantive engagement between Pakistan and the UAE in important areas, including climate change and alternative energy.
It would help strengthen the mutual trust and beneficial cooperation between Pakistan and the UAE on salient issues on the global agenda.