His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan: The Faith Pavilion at COP28 represents a significant opportunity to enhance the role of religions in addressing climate change

His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates’ Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, has stressed that the Faith Pavilion at the COP28 conference, hosted by the United Arab Emirates at the end of the current year, represents a significant opportunity to enhance the role of religious figures and leaders, and to follow all religious teachings in addressing climate change while also serving as a platform to launch initiatives and ideas proposed by these leaders alongside the efforts of all nations and peoples in confronting climate change.

Following a comprehensive review of all the ideas, activities, and events proposed by the organizers of the Faith Pavilion, His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan expressed the importance of making the pavilion an inclusive platform for prominent religious leaders from around the world to share their respective insights. He emphasized that climate change and its impact on the planet concern everyone and will undoubtedly affect us all. He also affirmed the UAE leadership's commitment, represented by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to utilize all available resources to achieve COP28's noble objectives in safeguarding planet Earth. This, he pointed, requires joint efforts from all countries in confronting climate change, as it profoundly impacts both the present and future of humanity. His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan also expressed his appreciation for the exceptional efforts of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE alongside the endeavors of various nations around the world.

The UAE's Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence also emphasized that the establishment of the inaugural Faith Pavilion at the COP28 conference reflects the United Arab Emirates' and its wise leadership's firm belief in involving all segments of society to reach practical solutions to climate change. This belief aligns with the recognition of the importance of the voices of religious leaders in confronting global challenges, especially the negative impacts of climate change.

His Excellency explained that the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, with its wealth of experience and capacity for engaging religious leaders, along with its comprehensive plans and programs, is pleased to support the Faith Pavilion at COP28 in collaboration with the Muslim Council of Elders and the COP28 Presidency. He further pointed out that supporting interfaith dialogue is one of the Ministry of Tolerance's major priorities, which includes promoting the values of tolerance, coexistence, peace, and human fraternity.

His Excellency Majid Al Suwaidi, Director-General and Special Representative of the UAE Presidency for the COP28 conference, had signed a memorandum of understanding with Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, with the aim of establishing a strong and ongoing partnership focused on promoting interfaith dialogue and environmental sustainability.

The memorandum of understanding highlights the collaboration between both parties alongside the UAE’s Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, the United Nations Environment Programme, and other relevant international partners, to organize a series of events and activities aimed at enhancing the role of religious figures in addressing the negative impacts of climate change in the run up to the ‘Road to COP28’ event. It also recognizes the significant role that religious leaders and representatives can play in confronting various contemporary challenges.