Dr Sultan Al Jaber, the President-designate of Cop28 and UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change, has held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, as preparations continue for the UN environmental talks this year.
They met in Paris, where the pact to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels was agreed on in 2015.
Dr Al Jaber, also Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and chairman of Masdar, and Mr Macron discussed how concerted global action could meet the agreement's goals, the official Cop28 Twitter account said.
Dr Al Jaber underlined his commitment to working with the French leader on the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact, due to be held in Paris in June.
“This will be a critical milestone ahead of Cop28,” he said.
“We need to define clearly how the political momentum generated in June can lead to real action at Cop28.
“This includes an emphasis on mobilising private finance, scaling up concessional financing, and advancing carbon markets.”
During a gathering hosted by the International Energy Agency, Dr Al Jaber emphasised the opportunity for all sectors to come together to deliver progress.
“We need all segments of society — governments, private sector and civil society — working together, driving in the same direction,” he said.
“There is no room for division. Progress is made through partnership, not polarisation.
"I truly believe that we can ignite the greatest leap in human and economic development since the first Industrial Revolution, if we act together, act smart and act now.”
Dr Al Jaber spoke during the visit of the need to begin a “course correction” to achieve environmental goals and deliver on every one of the pillars of the Paris Agreement.
While in Paris, he told diplomats that the world must cut emissions by 43 per cent in the next seven years to be on track for the target.
He was joined at the meeting with Mr Macron by Cop28 Youth Climate Champion Shamma Al Mazrui, UAE Minister of Community Development.
The officials said the UAE would “ensure Cop28's inclusive agenda continues to drive meaningful action and global solidarity when addressing the critical importance of keeping 1.5°C alive”.
Mr Macron and Dr Al Jaber discussed the importance of building on the close relationship between France and the UAE, the Cop28 account said.
They also spoke about unlocking more climate funding, the reform of financial institutions and challenges faced by vulnerable nations.
The leaders looked into “leveraging France’s leadership in unifying concerted global action to realise the goals” of the Paris Agreement.
Cop28 is scheduled to take place in Dubai between November 30 and December 12.
