By Omotayo Edubi
The 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) will be hosted by Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This was made known in a tweet on Thursday by the ruler of Dubai, saying the UAE has been selected to host the COP28 international climate change conference in 2023.
“We will put all our capabilities to make the conference a success. The UAE will remain committed to global climate action to protect the planet,” said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, who also serves as prime minister of the UAE.
It will be the second time in as many years that the annual talks will be held in the Middle East, with Egypt set to host them in 2022, and the third time the talks are hosted by a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Former OPEC member Qatar hosted in 2012 and Indonesia did in 2007.
UAE’s minister of climate change and environment, Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, said on Twitter the UAE is equipped to deliver a meeting that assembles nations increase their efforts to fight climate change.
“Hosting this global gathering will provide us with a prime opportunity to involve our most dynamic segment of society – our youth – in the meetings and negotiations that will ultimately ensure a sustainable future for generations to come,” she said.