Muslim Council of Elders and Indonesia's Delegation at COP29 Affirm Importance of Religious Voices in Addressing Climate Challenges

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, met with Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Special Envoy of President Prabowo Subianto for Energy and Environment and Head of Indonesia's delegation to COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan.

During the meeting, the Secretary-General emphasized the Council's substantial efforts in supporting the role of religious leaders in addressing global challenges, including climate issues. He noted that the Council launched the Call of Conscience: Abu Dhabi Joint Statement for Climate, signed by 30 prominent religious leaders worldwide. The Council also organized the Faith Pavilion at COP28, marking the first of its kind at a Conference of the Parties, and is now holding the second Faith Pavilion at COP29 following the great success of the first.

The Secretary-General praised Indonesia's exemplary model of pluralism, diversity, and coexistence, congratulating the new Indonesian government led by President Prabowo. He expressed his honor in attending the inauguration of Indonesia's President and Vice President last month and affirmed the Council's commitment to strengthening constructive engagement across Indonesian society and Southeast Asia through initiatives that promote dialogue and coexistence.

For his part, Indonesia's Head of Delegation to COP29 expressed his appreciation for the Muslim Council of Elders’ efforts in mobilizing religious leaders to tackle the climate challenge, including the Faith Pavilion initiative at COP28 and its continuation at COP29. He also conveyed his intent to visit the pavilion and engage with its various activities, highlighting the significance of the Religions for Development and Peace initiative, which aims to amplify the role of religious leaders in development and peacebuilding.

At the end of the meeting, both sides affirmed the importance of religious leaders' voices in addressing climate challenges, committing to continued collaboration to raise awareness of the urgent need to respond to climate change and its risks.