Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, announced that this 28th staging of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), will provide a platform for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to continue lobbying for decarbonisation of carbon emitters.

Minister Samuda is leading the delegation at COP 28, which is being hosted in Expo City, Dubai by the United Arab Emirates, from November 30 – December 12, 2023.

COP 28 will be held under the theme ‘Unite. Act. Deliver’ and is being labelled the Investment COP. It is aimed at uniting the world towards agreement on bold, practical, and ambitious solutions to the most pressing global challenge of our time, climate change.

“We are currently seeing grave effects of climate change on our lives and livelihood. The negotiation of our future is critical to our existence on this planet, and with the scientists informing us that our collective actions are severely impacting global temperatures, we must do our best to ensure that we lobby those who continue to use fossil fuels in their operations,” Minister Samuda said.

Minister Samuda also noted that this is a good opportunity for the Loss and Damage Fund to be operationalised as a commitment was made at COP 27 last year, for the establishment of the Fund.

The COP 28, along with related sessions, is an opportunity to continue calling for the urgent actions needed by the global community. This includes but is not limited to mitigation action; trading in carbon emissions; building resilience; addressing loss and damage associated with climate change; and increasing climate finance opportunities.

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