COP28 President’s Inspiring Address

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the President of COP28, delivered an inspirational address at the Global Faith Leaders’ Summit in Abu Dhabi. During this significant gathering, he received the ‘Abu Dhabi Interfaith Statement on climate change’ from faith leaders and committed to carrying their message forward to the world at COP28.

Faith Leaders Unite for Planetary Resurgence

The Faith Leaders’ Summit, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, was a momentous event attended by prominent figures, including Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence; His Eminence Professor Mohamed Al Duwani representing Al Azhar Al Sharif, and His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, representing His Holiness Pope Francis. In addition to religious leaders, the summit saw participation from academics and environmental experts, and it featured a video address by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The Abu Dhabi Interfaith Statement for COP28

The highlight of the summit was the signing of the ‘Confluence of Conscience: Uniting for Planetary Resurgence,’ also known as ‘The Abu Dhabi Interfaith Statement for COP28.’ This historic commitment by 28 faith leaders focuses on addressing climate change and raising climate ambitions in preparation for COP28, scheduled to take place in Dubai at the end of November. The statement was a product of months of collaboration and was signed during the event, organized by the Muslim Council of Elders (MCE) in partnership with the COP28 Presidency, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), and the UAE Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence.

A Powerful Call for Climate Action

Dr. Al Jaber hailed ‘The Abu Dhabi Interfaith Statement for COP28’ as “a powerful statement of intent that the whole world needs to hear.” He emphasized that it is a call for urgency, unity, solidarity, responsibility, and hope. Addressing the diverse faith leaders, he acknowledged their role as the custodians of beliefs and aspirations shared by people worldwide, highlighting their collective faith as a powerful voice for many communities often unheard. He applauded the unity of faiths around a common goal, emphasizing that even in a divided world, unity around climate action is possible.