UAE President honours global dignitaries for contributions to COP28 success

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has awarded the First Class Order of Zayed II to several global dignitaries in recognition of their contributions to the success of the COP28 climate conference.

During the ceremony held in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed expressed his gratitude to all the recipients for their efforts which led to the success of the event and resulted in the historic consensus of the United Arab Emirates, which has become a key framework for the global climate action.

He highlighted that the legacy of sustainability established by the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the cornerstone of the country’s efforts to support sustainability and ensure equitable economic and social development.

His Highness praised the spirit of cooperation demonstrated by the world at COP28, hosted by the United Arab Emirates late last year, as well as the unity of nations in tackling one of the most pressing global challenges. urgent.

Sheikh Mohamed reiterated the UAE’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation and its constructive role in promoting climate action.

The winners of the First Class Order of Zayed II:

• Dan Jørgensen, Danish Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy, was part of the Global Stocktake ministerial duo, which contributed to consultations with negotiating groups and parties.
• Yasmine Fouad, Egypt’s Minister of Environment, was a strong supporter of the UAE presidency and COP28, and was also part of the Finance ministerial duo, which contributed to consultations with negotiating groups and parties.
• Dr Muawieh Radaideh, Minister of Environment of Jordan, was a member of the COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee and advocated for COP28 to parties.
• Alioune Ndoye, Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition of Senegal and Chair of the Least Developed Countries Negotiating Group, supported the collection of contributions and support among the most climate-vulnerable countries on the results of the United Arab Emirates Consensus.
• Ruslan Edelgeriev, Russian Presidential Special Envoy for Climate, provided key support for reaching consensus on the global stocktake and negotiated outcomes.
• Ambassador Pedro Luis Pedroso Cuesta, former President of the G77 and China, Cuba, was a strong supporter of COP28 and played an essential role in unifying the G77 and China around the draft negotiated outcomes of the COP28, in particular the global assessment.
• Ambassador Fatumanava-o-Upolu III, Dr Pa’olelei Luteru, Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Samoa and Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States, helped ensure the contribution and support of small island developing States to final decisions, particularly on mitigation. and Loss and damage.
• Mark Carney, UN Special Envoy for Climate Action, has been a supportive partner to the UAE, particularly in achieving key outcomes of the Presidential Action Agenda on climate finance and energy.
• Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, CEO of Sustainable Markets Initiative, has been a strong advocate for COP28 and facilitated engagement from senior government leaders.
• Kate Hampton, CEO of the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, was a member of the COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee and provided valuable advice before and during COP28.
• Badr Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises, was a dedicated member of the COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee and Special Representative for Business & Philanthropy who mobilized multi-stakeholder engagement at the Business & Philanthropy Climate Forum to advance the goals of net zero emissions and nature protection.
• Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, has been a strong advocate for the UAE in the lead-up to the climate conference, particularly in relation to advancing climate finance outcomes and climate reform. international financial system.
• Larry Fink, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock, was a valued member of the COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee which provided advice to COP28 in preparations for the conference and beyond, as well as engagement with private sector leaders.
• Dr Vera Songwe, President and Founder of the Liquidity and Sustainability Fund, as a leading figure on macroeconomics and debt issues, was instrumental in helping COP28 implement the global climate finance framework and climate finance outcomes.
• Hindou Ibrahim, President of the Association of Women and Indigenous Peoples of Chad, was a committed member of the COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee who consistently represented and transmitted the views and priorities of indigenous peoples and local communities in the climate process.
• Professor Carlos Lopes, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the African Climate Foundation, was a valued member of the COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee who provided esteemed support and advice to COP28.
• Dr Agnes Kalibata, Chair of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, provided valuable expertise on transforming food systems and supported the implementation of the COP28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture , resilient food systems and climate action.
• Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, supported COP28 and mobilized global cooperation and co-organized four high-level energy dialogues ahead of COP28.
• Professor Saleemul Huq, a strong advocate for tackling climate challenges affecting the world’s most vulnerable, was honored posthumously. He died at age 71 in October 2023, with his wife, Kashana, and his son and daughter, accepting the award from the President of the United Arab Emirates. As founding director of the International Center on Climate Change and Development in Bangladesh, Professor Huq has become a leading voice from the developing world on the climate crisis. His advocacy contributed to the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund at COP28. Professor Huq played a crucial role in the UN climate negotiations and advised governments on adaptation and climate finance for the LDC Group.
• Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, former President of Iceland, provided policy guidance and advice as a member of the COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee.
• John Kerry, former US Presidential Climate Envoy, has been an active and loyal partner of the UAE before and during COP28 in strengthening global cooperation and advocating for COP28.