COP28 president expresses “cautious optimism” about its success

Published in: 25/11/2023 – 18:47Last updated: 25/11/2023 – 18:45

5 minutes

Question: Five days before the opening of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai (which runs from November 30 to December 12), how far are we from reaching a final agreement?

A: “I am very excited and cautiously optimistic. Everyone can see the great momentum we have: the Transition Committee (composed of 24 countries and responsible for mapping climate ‘loss and damage’ projections in the most vulnerable countries) achieved a very positive result. I had a successful visit to the European Union Which committed to making a significant contribution as compensation for “losses and damages.” You also saw the joint declaration of the United States and China and how they cooperate in preparation for the “COP28” conference, and the OECD report on the amount of $100 billion (the goal that was almost achieved and related to rich countries providing aid Finance).

I was encouraged by the signals coming out of the summit between the United States and China (mid-November in San Francisco): they agreed to hold a summit during the COP28 conference on methane (the second most harmful greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide) and on working cooperatively to ensure the success of the conference. And achieve the best results.

I look forward to COP28 achieving very ambitious results. I expect that we can all agree on a concrete climate action plan. “We are making great progress in energy, finance, health and nature.”

Question: How do the war between Israel and Hamas and other international crises affect the negotiations?

A: “I hope that COP28 will be the multilateral platform that brings good news to the world. The world is suffering greatly from polarization and divisions.”

Question: How does COP 28 compare with COP 21, which led to the Paris Agreement?

A: “We are halfway between Paris and 2030 (…), so it is an inflection point. It is the most important COP since Paris. It is our responsibility to ensure that its aspirations are maximized.”

Question: You reiterated that the negotiations are a “party-led process,” but your predecessor in Paris, Laurent Fabius, stressed that the President of the Conference of the Parties can have a significant influence in breaking the negotiation deadlock…

A: “I was very clear from day one: although it is a party-led process and I am there for all parties to cooperate (…), I said that I will make all industries and everyone responsible for making it possible to achieve the goal of limiting climate warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to the previous period.” “Pre-industrial, and I owe it. I learned this year that I have to give this process time, help rebuild trust and encourage action through collaboration (…) You will see me every day during the conference, I promise you that.”

Question: Will negotiations on fossil fuels be the most difficult?

A: “With regard to fossil fuels, I have extended an open invitation to all parties to meet, talk, cooperate and make recommendations to the Presidency on the basis of common ground and consensus.”

Question: A large number of people are concerned about the heavy presence of the private sector and industries at COP28, and about the impact this will have on the negotiations…

A: “Everyone must be involved in the process, and everyone must be responsible and accountable. This includes all industries, especially industries that emit a lot of emissions such as aviation, transport, aluminium, cement and steel as well as the oil and gas sectors. Everyone must be consulted, Everyone must have the opportunity to contribute, and everyone must be held responsible and accountable.”

Question: What progress do you hope to achieve in the area of ​​climate finance, the key point in the negotiations between North and South?

A: “The challenge of climate finance is a key priority on my agenda in the COP28 presidency. We still have to make progress on financing the transition. I hear positive responses to my requests from many countries: there are other commitments, and the push to finance the Climate Fund will continue.” Green and global goal on adaptation.

At the COP28 conference, we rely on parallel financial tracks to restore confidence and develop a new framework for climate financing. “We need to encourage the private sector to finance.”

Question: A fragile settlement was approved in Abu Dhabi on November 4 regarding the work of the new “Loss and Damage” Fund, and it is still awaiting approval by countries at the COP28 conference. Do you hope that this settlement will be approved by countries at the beginning of the conference?

A: “Is that my goal? Absolutely. But it is a party-led process. I will do my best to get such a positive push (for the COP) very early.”

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