The Sultanate of Oman is actively involved in the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28), hosted by Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 30 to December 12, 2023. The official delegation, under the leadership of H.E. Engineer Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, involves various dignitaries.
"Oman: Sustainable Future" is a motto symbolising the Sultanate of Oman's deep engagement in this conference, aligned with the global effort to find practical and sustainable solutions for worldwide challenges. COP28 serves as an opportunity to highlight the Sultanate's efforts through strategies, policies, and initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting the environment, promoting sustainability, and enhancing renewable energy. Moreover, the Sultanate of Oman has taken progressive steps towards achieving net-zero, setting the ambitious target of 2050, and establishing the Oman Sustainability Centre.
Regarding the Sultanate of Oman's participation, an interactive pavilion will be set to showcase the Sultanate's progress in environmental sustainability and renewable energy, aligning with the vision set forth by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq. This offers international event attendees a chance to understand Oman's achievements in environmental protection, emission reduction, sustainability, and renewable energy promotion. Furthermore, Oman will actively engage in negotiations, with a team consisting of representatives from relevant authorities, participating in regular meetings with global climate stakeholders and regional/international partners.
The conference will address various issues, the most primary one being the crucial importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This includes efforts to mitigate emissions from various sources such as manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, energy production, and waste management. Additionally, adaptations to the impacts of climate change will be discussed, exploring the development of strategies to address how climate change influences people and the environment. The conference will also provide insights on climate finance, aiming to direct international funding to support adaptation and mitigation efforts in developing nations. It will review emission estimates through periodic reports assessing greenhouse gas emissions and progress toward reduction goals for each country. The conference aims to encourage the development of clean technologies, contribute to research for cost-effective, clean, and efficient technologies to achieve emission reduction goals. It also aims to protect forests and biodiversity as part of climate change mitigation efforts. Emphasis will be on international cooperation, encouraging collaboration between countries and international organisations to address global challenges related to climate change. Green finance initiatives will be discussed to develop and enhance sustainable projects focused on emission reduction and promoting sustainable development.
The Paris Agreement on climate change is an international treaty signed by most countries worldwide. The goal is to mitigate the impact of human activity on the climate. Participating countries commit to convene this year, with the goal of agreeing on an increase in the percentage of reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and carbon dioxide. This aligns with reducing the planet's temperature increase to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius through unified global efforts.
This year, the Conference of the Parties (COP) focuses on four main pillars: accelerating the organised and fair transition in the energy sector, developing climate financing mechanisms, protecting people and nature, and improving quality of life and livelihoods. It includes the involvement of all parties in the conference system. The summit will emphasise core aspects such as international collaboration and collective efforts on climate change, focusing on the importance of mitigation and limiting global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius, with dedicated efforts to maintain the 1.5-degree Celsius target. The global assessment of progress in achieving the goals of The Paris Agreement will also be a key focus. All of this requires quick actions to contribute to ambitious outcomes by all parties, reflecting the conference's ambition for implementation through urgent measures.