ABU DHABI, UAE, May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today bestowed the First Class Order of Zayed II on several global dignitaries in recognition of their contributions to the success of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) hosted by the UAE late last year.
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During the ceremony held in Abu Dhabi, His Highness expressed his gratitude to all recipients for their sincere efforts that contributed to the success of COP28 and resulted in the historic UAE Consensus that has become a key framework for global climate action and sustainability.
His Highness emphasised that the legacy of sustainability established by the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is a cornerstone of the UAE's efforts to support sustainability, promote effective climate action, and ensure equitable economic and social development for a better future for humanity.
He praised the spirit of cooperation demonstrated by the world during COP28 and the unity of nations in addressing one of the most pressing global challenges. His Highness reiterated the UAE's commitment to enhancing international cooperation and its constructive role in advancing climate action to find practical solutions to climate challenges by leveraging the achievements of COP28.
The ceremony was attended by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Adviser for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court; Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President; Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office (NMO), and a number of officials.
The event also honoured the late Prof. Saleemul Huq, a member of the COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan presented the award to Prof. Huq's wife, son, and daughter in recognition of his distinguished efforts and contributions to operationalising the Loss and Damage Fund. Prof.
The honourees of the First Class Order of Zayed II were:
-- Dan Jørgensen, Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate
Policy, Denmark, was part of the Global Stocktake ministerial pair,
which contributed to consultations with Negotiating Groups and Parties.
-- Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, Egypt, was a vocal advocate of
the UAE and COP28 Presidency, as well as part of the finance ministerial
pair, which contributed to consultations with Negotiating Groups and
Parties.
-- Dr. Muawieh Radaideh, Minister of Environment, Jordan, was a respected
COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee member who advocated for COP28 among
parties.
-- Alioune Ndoye, Former Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development,
and Ecology Transition, Senegal, and Chair of the Least Developed
Countries Negotiating Group, supported in garnering inputs and support
among the most climate-vulnerable countries on the UAE Consensus
outcomes.
-- Ruslan Edelgeriev, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, Russia,
provided key support in driving consensus on the Global Stocktake and
negotiated outcomes.
-- Ambassador Pedro Luis Pedroso Cuesta, former Chairman of G77 and China,
Cuba, was a strong supporter of COP28 and played a critical role in
unifying the G77 and China around COP28 draft negotiated outcomes,
especially the Global Stocktake.
-- Ambassador Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Dr. Pa'olelei Luteru, Permanent
Representative to UN, Samoa, and Chair of the Alliance of Small Island
States, helped to ensure small island developing states' input and
support in the final decisions, particularly on mitigation and Loss and
Damage.
-- Mark Carney, UN Special Envoy for Climate Action, was a supportive
partner to the UAE, particularly concerning the delivery of key
Presidential Action Agenda outcomes across climate finance and energy.
-- Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, CEO, Sustainable Markets Initiative, was a firm
advocate of COP28 and facilitated the engagement of senior government
leaders.
-- Kate Hampton, CEO, Children's Investment Fund Foundation, was a COP28
Presidency Advisory Committee member who provided valuable advice in the
lead-up to and during COP28.
-- Badr Jafar, CEO, Crescent Enterprises, was a dedicated COP28 Presidency
Advisory Committee member and Special Representative for Business and
Philanthropy who mobilised multistakeholder engagement at the Business &
Philanthropy Climate Forum to advance net zero and nature-positive
goals.
-- Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, was a firm advocate for
the UAE in the lead-up to the climate conference, especially on
advancing climate finance outcomes and reform of the international
financial system.
-- Larry Fink, Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock, was a valued
COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee member who provided counsel to COP28
in the run-up to the conference and beyond.
-- Dr. Vera Songwe, Chair and Founder of the Liquidity and Sustainability
Facility, as a leading figure in macroeconomics and debt issues was
instrumental in helping COP28 deliver the Global Climate Finance
Framework and climate finance outcomes.
-- Hindou Ibrahim, President of the Association for Indigenous Women and
Peoples of Chad, was a committed member of the COP28 Presidency Advisory
Committee.
-- Prof. Carlos Lopes, Chair of the African Climate Foundation Board, was a
valued member of the COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee who lent his
esteemed support and guidance to COP28.
-- Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in
Africa, provided her valuable expertise on food systems transformation
and supported the delivery of the COP28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable
Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems and Climate Action.
-- Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, was
a supportive partner to COP28 and mobilised global cooperation and
co-convened four high-level energy dialogues in the lead-up to COP28.
-- Prof. Saleemul Huq, a passionate advocate for addressing climate
challenges affecting the world's most vulnerable, was posthumously
honoured. He passed away at 71 in October 2023, with his wife, Kashana,
and son and daughter accepting the award from His Highness the
President.
-- Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, former President of Iceland, provided political
guidance and counsel as a COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee Member.
-- John Kerry, former US Presidential Climate Envoy, was an active and
loyal partner to the UAE in the lead-up to and during COP28 by enhancing
global cooperation and advocating for COP28.
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