UAE President Sheikh Mohamed warned on Monday that climate change poses a threat to the world’s security and stability and called on nations gathering in Egypt for Cop27 to unite to deal with the challenges facing the planet.
“We meet today at a critical juncture for our planet and future generations,” Sheikh Mohamed told the summit.
“Our world is facing complex challenges, most important of which is climate change, which now affects the world’s stability and security – including food security.
"We have only one planet, ladies and gentlemen, and with that in mind, it is imperative that we partner and work together in a spirit of determination and optimism to address this common challenge through climate action."
-
Cop27 delegates arrive in Sharm El Sheikh. AFP -
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi shake hands during the Middle East Green Initiative conference, held on the sidelines of the the UN's Cop27 climate summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. EPA -
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz delivers a speech during the Cop27 summit. AP -
Prince Mohammed appears on a projection as he addresses leaders during the second Green Middle East Initiative summit, held on the sidelines of the Cop27 climate conference in Sharm El Sheikh. SPA -
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech at Cop27. AP -
Sheikh Mohamed speaks with Jordan's King Abdullah II and Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah at the event. Reuters -
A sign illuminates the plenary hall at Cop27. Getty -
Sheikh Mansour, centre, visits the Bahrain Pavilion. With him is Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change and chairman of Masdar. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks during the Cop27 summit. EPA -
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, participated in the second Green Middle East Initiative conference, which began on Monday in Sharm El Sheikh. WAM -
A visitor takes a picture at the Ukrainian pavilion during Cop27. Reuters -
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, right, hugs French President Emmanuel Macron during a meeting at Cop27. AP -
Sheikh Mohamed with Mr Sunak. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
A member of the Amazon indigenous delegation attends the event. EPA -
Sheikh Mohamed meets Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Former British prime minister Boris Johnson poses for a selfie at the event in Sharm El Sheikh. EPA -
Mr Johnson poses for a selfie at the event. EPA -
Mr Sunak addresses delegates at the Cop27 summit. AP -
Sheikh Mohamed meets Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Mr Herzog delivers a speech at the summit. AFP -
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed addresses the UN's Cop27 climate summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed attends the Cop27 summit. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Al Gore, chairman of Generation Investment Management, speaks at the climate conference. Bloomberg -
Mr El Sisi speaks during the plenary session at Cop27. Bloomberg -
Sheikh Mohamed with Mr El Sisi. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Delegates attend a session at Cop27. Bloomberg -
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres speaks at Cop27. Getty -
Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad greets King Abdullah II of Jordan during a photo session at Cop27. Bloomberg -
Mr Johnson at Cop27. AP -
Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson writes down his contact details for Mr Sunak during the Cop27 climate conference. Getty -
President Sheikh Mohamed greets Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, at the event. Getty -
President Sheikh Mohamed, Jordan's King Abdullah II, Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad, Mr El Sisi, Mr Guterres, Mr Macron, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati and other leaders pose for a family photo during the Cop27 climate summit in Sharm El Sheikh. Reuters -
Sheikh Mohamed and King Abdullah in Sharm El Sheikh. Reuters -
Mr Scholz boards a government plane to travel to Egypt for the Cop27 summit. AP -
Sheikh Mohamed with other dignitaries. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed with Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad and other dignitaries. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed tours the conference with Dr Al Jaber. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
From left, Mr El Sisi, Ms Meloni and Mr Guterres pose for photographs at the start of Cop27. EPA -
Mr Sunak meets European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during the Cop27 summit. PA -
US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, right, at the Cop27 summit in Sharm El Sheikh. AP -
Mr Macron meets young Africans on the sidelines of Cop27. AFP -
The French president listens to young conference-goers speak at the event. AFP -
The Green Zone at Cop27. Fatima Al Mahmoud / The National -
The Green Zone aims to promote dialogue, awareness, education and commitments through events, exhibitions, workshops and talks. Fatima Al Mahmoud / The National -
It is dotted with life-size art installations, including a large panda made from recycled materials such as pieces of glass and plastic bottles. Fatima Al Mahmoud / The National -
The Green Zone will hold themed events such as Gender Day, Decarbonisation Day and Solutions Day. Fatima Al Mahmoud / The National -
It is a vast, vibrant space that offers a change of scenery. Fatima Al Mahmoud / The National -
The Green Zone is designed as a place for the business community, youths, civil societies, academics, artists and fashion experts from all over the world to express themselves. Fatima Al Mahmoud / The National -
Mr Sunak arrives in Sharm El Sheikh to attend Cop27. Getty
Sheikh Mohamed said the UAE, which hosts the next year’s climate summit, will continue to produce and export oil and gas to meet the world's needs. He said the carbon intensity in the UAE’s oil was among the world’s lowest.
He also pledged that his country would continue to work towards reducing gas emissions, citing the plan for climate neutrality by 2050 and a $100 billion deal signed recently with the US to produce clean energy.
"These initiatives ... pave the way for us to accomplish our common goal and prevent the Earth’s temperature from rising more than 1.5˚C."
He further urged leaders gathered in Sharm El Sheikh to consider the future of their children and grandchildren if they failed to act.
"The future of our children and grandchildren depends on the measures we take today."
He said Cop28 will focus on the implementation of resolutions adopted at preceding conferences and ensure suitable participation of women and young people from around the world.
Following his speech, Sheikh Mohamed tweeted his thanks to host Egypt and said that "the UAE is firmly committed to pursuing effective climate action solutions" as they prepare to host the next UN climate summit in Abu Dhabi next year.
