Communities worldwide have high expectations for the success of COP28, the 28th UN Climate Conference to be held in Dubai, aimed at advancing global climate actions, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Malaysia’s Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC), told the Emirates News Agency.

‘Malaysia hopes that the UAE, as the President of the COP28, will lead the negotiation process to success,’ he said in an email interview with WAM from Kuala Lumpur.

Scheduled for 30 November to 12 December 2023 at Expo City Dubai, COP28 is expected to attract 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors.

Nik Ahmad said he would accompany a high-level delegation of around 60 delegates from various ministries and agencies in Malaysia to participate in the conference and the formal climate change negotiation process.

Key issues

The delegation will focus on several key issues such as the first Global Stocktake
(GST) of the Paris Agreement, compliance carbon market, just energy transition, transparency of reporting, mitigation, global goal on adaptation and climate finance, he explained.

Nik Ahmad emphasised the significance of the GST process, saying that achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement requires international cooperation.

Concerning a just energy transition, the minister highlighted the need to expedite the deployment of renewable energy and embrace energy efficiency measures.

Malaysia is ready to support the COP28 Presidency’s initiative in launching the Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge.

The minister emphasized the pledge’s importance in rallying nations toward concerted action within the Action Agenda to achieve collective global targets by 2030.

Climate adaption, finance

Regarding the adaptation-related issues at COP28, Nik Ahmad noted that developing the global goal on adaptation is crucial to establishing globally accepted methodologies and indicators.

On climate finance, the mi
nister underscored the need for a new direction and operationalisation of the fund to address loss and damage.

Malaysia wants, he made it clear, the loss and damage fund to be overseen by an independent body operating under international law, providing technical assistance, especially in vulnerable developing countries.

The official also suggested that Global South nations should have the autonomy to access vital funds to ensure its transparent and equitable management.

Malaysia upholds the view that the implementation of climate actions should be guided by the principle of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, he asserted.

Around 250 stakeholders of Malaysia, representing state governments, local universities, research institutions, private companies, and non-government organisations will attend the programmes and activities at Malaysian Pavilion in the Blue Zone area of Expo City, the minist
er said.

UAE’s leadership at COP28

Nik Ahmad emphasised the UAE’s strong leadership for COP28, citing various consultation sessions and workshops conducted by the UAE government since the beginning of 2023.

The UAE has hosted meetings related to negotiation issues, including the Pre-COP28 conference in October, he added.

The UAE’s leadership is evident in its efforts to promote climate change cooperation through declarations and partnerships on issues such as public health, energy transition, agriculture and food security, and the green economy, the minister explained.

Source: Emirates News Agency