GCC Holds Extraordinary Meeting on Climate Change File at Ministerial Level

Riyadh, June 12, 2023, SPA -- The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, affirmed the support and commendation of the GCC countries for the pioneering role played by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in confronting the climate change phenomenon and its efforts to host the Conference of Parties (COP28) in 2023 to support international efforts in this regard.
This came during the extraordinary meeting, held on Monday (June 12, 2023) via visual communication, between the ministers responsible for the climate change file in the GCC countries, on the UAE's hosting of COP28.
The GCC Secretary General said that the ministers expressed full support to the UAE for hosting COP28 through their full participation, to highlight the development plans and projects of the GCC countries commensurate with environmental changes.
Furthermore, the GCC Secretary General stated that during the meeting, the strategy of the UAE to chair the Conference was reviewed, and the priorities and aspirations of the GCC countries with regard to the event were discussed, in addition to identifying potential areas of cooperation between the GCC states and COP28 with respect to regional and global climate ambition.
Albudaiwi recalled the GCC Ministerial Council’s decision in its 154th session, stipulating the support of the GCC countries for all efforts of the UAE in organising and hosting the Conference, and emphasising the importance of unifying positions and efforts during the event.
Meanwhile, he cited the support of several international organisations for the UAE to host the Conference, including the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), whose viewpoint in favour of the hosting was heard during the GCC Secretary General's visit to the organisation last May.
He concluded by stating that the ministers have agreed to hold a subsequent meeting on October 8, 2023, on the side-lines of the Climate Week in the Middle East and North Africa (MENACW 2023), to be hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in order to follow up on developments and preparations for COP28.
--SPA