Niël Terblanché
President Hage Geingob has embarked on a decisive journey to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he will participate in the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The conference, scheduled from November 30, 2023, to December 12, 2023, represents a critical opportunity for world leaders to address the escalating climate crisis.
COP28 comes at a time when global temperatures have reached record highs, and extreme weather events are impacting people worldwide.
President Geingob’s attendance is evidence of Namibia’s commitment to addressing climate change, a challenge that has disproportionately affected the country.
Namibia sees this summit as a unique opportunity to showcase its ambition to become a green hydrogen superpower.
Invited by Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, President Geingob will join leaders from around the world in discussions aimed at accelerating climate action and charting a course towards a sustainable future.
The nation is already advancing initiatives to produce clean energy through green hydrogen, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change and satisfy increasing energy demand.
By positioning itself as an international exporter of green hydrogen, Namibia seeks to contribute significantly to global decarbonization efforts.
COP28 serves as a vital international platform for climate dialogues and negotiations among UNFCCC parties.
It is particularly significant as it marks the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake (GST) of the Paris Agreement. The GST assesses global progress in mitigating climate change, adapting to its impacts, and providing means of implementation and support, all guided by equity and the latest scientific insights.
On December 1, 2023, President Geingob will participate in the World Climate Action Summit, where the Emirates Climate Conference will be formally launched.
He will also join fellow heads of state and government in a high-level event focusing on means of implementation and support, evaluating the conclusions of the GST technical assessment.
December 2, 2023, will see President Geingob engage in discussions on mitigation outcomes derived from the GST technical assessment.
Concurrently, he will participate in a high-level event on adaptation, considering efforts related to loss and damage.
COP28 anticipates the attendance of more than 70,000 delegates, representing member states of the UNFCCC.
On the sidelines of the summit, President Geingob will participate in the Summit of G-77 and China Leaders on Climate Change, as well as an initial meeting on the Critical Raw Materials Club organized by the European Commission.
He will also partake in the UAE’s celebration of its 52nd National Day on December 3, 2023.
During his stay at COP28, President Geingob will engage in meetings with influential figures, including Ban Ki-Moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations and current Chairperson of the Center for Global Adaptation. Meetings with business leaders from Siemens Energy and Fortescue Future Industries are also on the President’s agenda.
He is expected to return to Namibia on Sunday, December 10, 2023, following what promises to be a significant and transformative gathering of world leaders addressing the urgent climate crisis.
