GENEVA: Meera Sultan Al Suwaidi, member of the Parliamentary Division Group of the Federal National Council (FNC) in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), presented the final document of the parliamentary meeting accompanying COP28 in her capacity as Rapporteur of the meeting’s outcomes. The presentation took place during the 213th session of the IPU Governing Council held in Geneva, Switzerland.
During her presentation, Al Suwaidi highlighted that the parliamentary meeting was held in conjunction with the UAE’s hosting of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) and was organised by the IPU and the FNC.
She explained that the meeting was the most well-attended parliamentary meeting in COP history, with over 400 participants representing more than 70 countries. The meeting aimed to develop international parliamentary solutions to the climate crisis. The high-level participation in the meeting reflects the deep commitment of the IPU member parliam
ents to addressing climate change and driving national implementation of the Paris Agreement.
Al Suwaidi added that, for the first time, the parliamentary meeting was held in the COP28’s Green Zone, alongside the negotiations. This signifies the importance of parliaments in shaping global collective action on climate change and represents a positive step forward.
She explained that parliamentarians and experts engaged in rich discussions on how to address key climate issues, including global progress on adaptation, climate finance, loss and damage, and parliamentary oversight.
The meeting highlighted the inclusion of frontline countries, particularly small island developing states, as another critical area that parliamentarians should consider. The meeting also showcased the important role of women and young parliamentarians in climate action, as well as the actions that parliaments and parliamentarians worldwide should take to become more environmentally conscious.
The parliamentary meeting concluded its
work by adopting a final document to guide parliamentary work after COP28. The document specifically calls on parliaments to encourage governments to increase the ambition of their nationally determined contributions, combat climate change through international cooperation, and promote comprehensive and fair climate strategies.
In line with the main outcome of COP28, the final document called for stronger support for adaptation, increased investment in renewable energy sources, and addressing the climate finance gap, especially in developing countries. It provided parliaments with a roadmap to accelerate parliamentary action on climate change at the national level of parliaments and at the global level, for a more sustainable planet for current and future generations.
The meeting of the Governing Council was attended by the UAE Parliamentary Group in the Inter-Parliamentary Union, headed by Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Group, and members of the Group, including Sarah Mohammed Falkinaz, Vice Cha
irman of the Group, other members of the FNC.
Source: Emirates News Agency