In the run-up to the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), the European Commissioner for Climate Action, Wopke Hoekstra, is taking part in the preparatory ministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, on 30 and 31 October. This meeting represents a major preliminary step in setting targets and harmonising positions at global level ahead of COP28, to be held from 30 November to 12 December in Dubai.
Ahead of this event, Commissioner Hoekstra travelled to Saudi Arabia on 29 October for bilateral meetings with the Minister of Energy, Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman Al-Saud, and the US Presidential Special Envoy for Climate Change, John Kerry. The aim of these bilateral discussions is to deepen common perspectives on climate policy.
On 30 October, during the pre-COP28 ministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi, the Commissioner took part in a round table discussion on the theme ‘The 2030 Agenda: what should an inclusive transformation look like’, focusing on the development of strategies for an equitable transition towards the 2030 climate goals. He also took part in sessions focusing on ‘Putting people, lives and livelihoods first’, ‘Accelerating the energy transition’ and ‘Transforming climate finance’.
A ministerial consultation on Adaptation was scheduled, bringing together key global climate leaders such as Teresa Ribera, Spain’s Minister for Ecological Transition, Maisa Rojas, Chile’s Minister for the Environment, Jenny McAllister, Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, and Barbara Creecy, South Africa’s Minister for Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs. The aim of this consultation was to discuss strategies for adapting to climate change.
On 31 October, Commissioner Hoekstra will hold bilateral talks with other ministers, including a meeting with the COP28 President-designate, Sultan Al Jaber. He will also be taking part in round table discussions on the following subjects: ‘An inclusive COP’, ‘Making the Loss and Damage Fund operational’ and ‘Towards a transformational Global Stocktake’.
Ahead of these events, the European Union adopted its negotiating mandate for COP28 at the ‘Environment’ Council on 16 October (see EUROPE 13273/5). The EU has also updated its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, incorporating the implementation of its ‘Fit for 55’ legislation. On 27 October, the Commission also organised the ‘European Climate Stocktake’ event (see EUROPE 13281/14) to assess the EU’s contribution to the objectives of the Paris Agreement. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)