In a ceremony today, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, awarded the First Class Order of Zayed II to various international dignitaries. These awards acknowledged their significant contributions to the fruitful outcome of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

COP28, hosted by the UAE in Abu Dhabi earlier this year, was widely regarded as a success. The conference brought together world leaders, policymakers, scientists, and civil society representatives to discuss and implement solutions to the pressing climate crisis.

The UAE President's recognition program highlighted the critical role played by these global figures in fostering a collaborative and productive environment at COP28. Their leadership and commitment are seen as instrumental in achieving significant progress on several key issues.

One of the major breakthroughs at COP28 was the establishment of a dedicated financial mechanism to address "loss and damage. " This initiative will provide financial support to developing countries that are disproportionately impacted by the consequences of climate change, even though they have contributed minimally to the problem.

Another noteworthy accomplishment of COP28 was the unanimous adoption of a plan to accelerate the phase-out of coal-fired power plants. This move signifies a crucial step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to cleaner energy sources.

The UAE President's recognition underscores the importance of international cooperation in tackling climate change. The collective efforts of world leaders, along with the expertise of scientists and the unwavering advocacy of civil society groups, are essential for achieving a sustainable future for the planet.

The ceremony honoring the international dignitaries was held at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi. President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan delivered a speech commending the laureates for their dedication to environmental protection and their commitment to collaborative action on the global stage.

The President's recognition of these world leaders is a testament to the UAE's ongoing commitment to addressing climate change. The UAE has emerged as a regional leader in sustainability initiatives and COP28's success is a significant milestone in the country's environmental advocacy efforts.