Dubai (UNA/WAM) - Hamzah Yousuf, Prime Minister of Scotland, stressed the importance of the activities of the twenty-eighth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), in achieving global efforts aimed at confronting the repercussions and consequences of climate change.
Youssef said in statements to the Emirates News Agency, WAM, on the sidelines of the COP28 activities: “We hosted COP26 in Glasgow two years ago, and we were the first government in the northern world to confirm its commitment to financing the Global Climate Fund, and we called on the international community to commit to this fund.”
He expressed his happiness at reaching an agreement at the opening of COP28 to finance the Global Climate Fund, which confirms the role of the UAE and the presidency of COP28 and its pioneering efforts in this regard, wishing the presidency of the conference all success in its tireless endeavours.
He stressed the need to focus at the present time on how to mobilize the Global Climate Fund with the participation of various countries of the world, stressing the importance of ensuring that the funds that will be allocated to the Fund are distributed fairly and equitably for all so that it does not add to the debt burden faced by many countries in the Global South.
He pointed out that collective action is an important requirement to confront the climate crisis and deal with the devastating effects of climate change, adding: “We will not be able to meet the urgent needs and anticipated tasks without working and cooperating together, as we do not have enough time to work individually for a just transition to climate neutrality.”
He stressed the importance of having an agreement to shift towards renewable energy, expressing his hope that it will be achieved during the discussions at COP28.
The Prime Minister of Scotland sent a message to the world about the need to act urgently and take rapid measures to protect humanity in light of the increasing repercussions of climate change worldwide, stressing the need to take urgent measures to help the poorest countries that suffer most from the effects of climate change, and to accelerate a just transition towards renewable energy.
He pointed out that the UAE is taking many measures to confront climate change, pointing to its pioneering efforts in the renewable energy sector through huge projects and large companies such as “Masdar.”
The Prime Minister of Scotland said: “Through COP28, we look forward to sharing with others and learning about the progress they have made towards climate neutrality, showcasing our achievements in the field of sustainability, and communicating through effective dialogues and useful discussions about climate action.”
He added that “COP28” allows the Scottish government to strengthen its international relations and build partnerships, explaining that Scotland’s existing relations and partnerships in the UAE represent an important part of its connection with the Scottish community abroad.
He pointed out that the leading Scottish companies in climate neutrality technologies are participating in the Conference of the Parties (COP28) in order to enhance Scotland’s position on the global level, as it is a favorable opportunity to attract investment in strategic sectors for climate neutrality in Scotland, including the renewable energy sector.
