COP28 and UN Partnerships: taking stock of climate action

The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP28, took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 30 November through 12 December. It was a pivotal opportunity to correct course and accelerate action to tackle the climate crisis. A major focus of the Conference was the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake (GST) of the Paris Agreement, which was the most extensive assessment of the global response to climate change to date. UN Partnerships played an active role at this high-profile event, supporting a number of initiatives, and promoting the power of collaboration.

Over the years, the UN Climate Conferences have grown into sprawling affairs involving thousands of people and attracting global attention. This year’s event, COP28, had added significance as the international community took stock of progress on the Paris Agreement. 

For a livable planet, we must significantly reduce coal, oil, and gas production while tripling global renewable power capacity by 2030. Simultaneously, we need a substantial increase in funding for adaptation and investments in climate resilience.

The UN Partnerships team participated at COP28, bringing together internal and external partners, reinforcing existing networks, and developing new partnerships aimed at advancing the aim of “keeping 1.5 alive”.

Many of the SDG Advocates – 17 inspiring, influential people raising global awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) attended COP28, lending their expertise and gravitas to several events, bringing special focus to the importance of accelerating climate action for the SDGs. UN Partnerships helped to coordinate their engagements.

COP28 Dialogues

UN Partnerships organized COP Dialogues, linking guests at the COP venue in Dubai and UN Headquarters. A programme on 4 December was held as part of Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed’s Women Rise for All initiative, discussing women’s transformational leadership in climate action and how they are taking action to keep the 1.5C target of the Paris Agreement alive, saving lives, and protecting livelihoods. Participating in the discussion were Ayisha Siddiqa, Member of the SG’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change; Oumy Gueye, Award-winning Senegalese musician and activist; Melanie Nakagawa, Chief Sustainability Officer at Microsoft; and Tasneem Essop, Executive Director of Climate Action Network.

The second COP dialogue, focusing on how to accelerate a just, inclusive and equitable energy transition, was broadcasted on 5 December. Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General; Dr. Avinash Persaud, Climate Envoy for Prime Minister of Barbados; Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown and Co-Chair of C40; Agnes Hall, Campaigns Director of 350.org; and Dr. Christophe McGlade, Head of the Energy Supply Unit at the International Energy Agency, were among the guests discussing how green energy transitions can achieve a climate-safe future in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The discussion will also stress the importance of a fossil fuel phase out and a transition to a world powered by renewable energy sources.