COP28 president launches historic climate initiative at Copenhagen Climate Ministerial

LONDON

COP28 President Dr. Sultan Al Jaber on Thursday addressed global climate leaders and ministers at the Copenhagen Climate Ministerial, revealing a new historic initiative aimed at strengthening global climate efforts. 

Al Jaber described the COP Presidencies Troika as a bold initiative aimed at ensuring a consistent approach and continuity between COP28, COP29, and COP30.

The COP Presidencies Troika is a major achievement of the UAE Consensus-mandated COP28 presidency, uniting COP28 with the next two COP presidencies, Azerbaijan and Brazil, to drive ambitious collaborative climate action.

While presenting the Troika vision, the president was joined by Mukhtar Babayev, president-designate of COP29, and Andre Correado Lago, secretary of climate, energy, and environment for COP30 Brazil.

“This Troika will help to ensure that the next crucial round of Nationally Determined Contributions are in line with keeping our collective North Star of 1.5°C within reach," Al Jaber said.

He also emphasized that the historic initiative would be the driving force behind the UAE Consensus.

“The UAE Consensus was a victory for multilateralism and proof of the power of inclusivity. It showed that positivity and solidarity can overcome pessimism and polarization.”

He called on the world leaders to set aside their own interests and instead focus on the common good, remaining united around the common goal of keeping 1.5°C within reach.

According to Al Jaber, the Troika will help ensure that the next critical round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) is "in line with keeping our collective North Star of 1.5°C within reach."

He urged countries to follow science and implement policies to achieve 60% reductions in emissions compared to 2019 levels by 2035.

"At COP28 collectively, we changed the mindset that views climate action as a burden to one that sees it as an opportunity to stimulate new industries, leverage new technologies, including the transformative power of AI, create new jobs and drive sustainable growth," he said.

During his speech, he called on all parties to come up with a “comprehensive National Adaptation Plans” that address food systems, water security, nature and health.

"Finance is the key enabler of all climate progress and essential to rebuilding trust, especially with the Global South," he said, urging all parties to make significant contributions to the fund.

The Troika has reached out to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, advocating for coherent technical support to assist member countries, especially those in the developing world, in designing and implementing “the next generation of their NDCs,” he said.

The Copenhagen Climate Ministerial chaired by Danish Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy Dan Jorgensen is taking place on Thursday and Friday in the Danish capital to discuss priorities for the upcoming COP29.

The ministerial is the first major climate meeting since COP28.