The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Climate Action, Michael Haddad, stated that COP28 is providing an ideal opportunity to highlight effects of climate change on the most vulnerable groups, calling for the inclusion of persons with disabilities’ voices in climate negotiations and action.
He highlighted the crucial need for the full participation of persons with disabilities in climate conversations and the urgency for increased ambition and action to mitigate the impact of climate change.
In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) during his participation in COP28 in Dubai, Haddad said that nearly 1.3 billion people, representing 16% of the global population, face significant disabilities and are disproportionately impacted by climate change.
Haddad appreciated the role of the UAE in supporting people of determination in all fields, and giving them the opportunity to participate and express their opinion, pointing to the many initiatives and tireless effo
rts of the UAE to integrate them into society. He praised the COP28 Presidency for allowing PWDs to voice their opinion on issues of adaptation to climate change and participate in finding solutions to this phenomenon.
UNDP appointed Haddad as a Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Climate Action in 2019.
Source: Emirates News Agency