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COP28: A timeline of the United Nations’ pledge to tackle climate change


It was 27 years ago that the first-ever Conference of the Parties (COP1) was held in Berlin, where the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was born. The annual COP talks have paved the way for significant contributions to environmental protection over the years.

COP3, held in Kyoto in 1997, saw the historical milestone of the Kyoto Protocol, the world’s first greenhouse gas emissions reduction treaty. The commitment to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in industrialized countries laid the foundation of the carbon market.

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In 2001, governments reached a broad political agreement on the operational rulebook for the 1997 Kyoto Protocol at the second part of the sixth COP meeting in Bonn. This breakthrough paved the way for the Marrakesh Accords, resulting from COP7, which set the stage for ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. The Marrakesh Accords formalized the agreement on operational rules for International Emissions Trading, the Clean Development Mechanism, Joint Implementation, compliance regime, and accounting procedures.

The Kyoto Protocol came into force in February 2005 when the Russian Federation submitted its instrument of ratification. COP11, held in Montreal in December 2005, was the first time it was held in conjunction with the first Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties (CMP1).

In 2007, the Bali Roadmap was set out at COP13, which laid out a timetable for negotiations for a new international agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol and include all countries, not only the developed ones. The plan laid out five main categories: shared vision, mitigation, adaptation, technology, and financing.

COP15, held in Copenhagen in 2009, saw the objective of keeping global warming below 2 ºC validated, with developing countries committing to financing developing countries in the long term. COP17, held in South Africa’s Durban, saw all countries agree to start reducing emissions, including the US and emerging countries (Brazil, China, India, and South Africa). It was decided to negotiate a global agreement that would come into force in 2020.

At COP18 in Doha in 2012, parties agreed to extend the Kyoto Protocol until 2020, and at COP20 in Lima in 2014, all countries agreed to develop and share their commitment to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases for the first time.

The most significant milestone that cemented COP’s contribution to the planet was the universal adoption of the Paris Agreement at COP21 in Paris in 2015. The 196 countries pledged to keep global warming below 2 ºC above pre-industrial levels and continue efforts to limit it to 1.5 ºC. Countries pledged to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible to achieve a climate-neutral world by mid-century.

The Paris Agreement was the first binding agreement that brought all nations into a common cause to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects. The agreement came into force just days before the COP22 Summit in Marrakesh in 2016 after being ratified by most nations.

Following summits saw progress made to detail how the Paris Agreement would work in practice, and significant reports analyzed the impacts of a 1.5°C global temperature increase, focusing debate on the need for greater urgency in reducing polluting emissions.

COP26 saw more than 25 countries commit to shutting off new international finance for fossil fuel projects by the end of 2022. This could shift more than US$24 billion a year of public funds out of fossil fuels and into clean energy.

COP27, which took place in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in 2022, saw a number of of agreements, crucially with a historic deal on their most cherished climate goal: a global fund for “loss and damage”, providing financial assistance to poor nations stricken by climate disaster.

All eyes are now on COP28, to be held in the UAE in November 2023, to see tangible solutions to one of the world’s most pressing issues of our time.

Read more:

UAE’s COP28 head urges ‘accessible’ global climate finance

Temperatures in Middle East rise twice as fast as global average, GCC countries act

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Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

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At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

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US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM

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