HM King delivers speech at COP28 Summit, announces “Blueprint Bahrain”
Manama, Dec. 1 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa delivered a speech at the World Climate Action Summit, part of the 28th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties To the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
In the speech, HM the King announced the National Action Plan, “Blueprint Bahrain”, to achieve carbon neutrality.
Below is the translation of the speech:
In the name of God, the most Merciful, the most Compassionate,
Your Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates,
Your Majesties, Highnesses, and Excellencies,
Your Excellency the Secretary-General of the United Nations,
Distinguished delegates,
It is a pleasure to be with you today in this important conference, hosted and meticulously organised to the highest standards by the United Arab Emirates, to follow up on our joint commitments and pledges to address environmental challenges threatening our climate security, for a healthier world and for a future in which humanity enjoys prosperity and sustainability.
We all agree that the goal of improving the lives of societies by overcoming the effects of climate change is a long-term one, and one we will only be able to attain through collective cooperation to accelerate achievements and raise levels of preparedness, so that we can move together in the same direction towards targeted change.
In this regard, the Kingdom of Bahrain continues to implement its initiatives to contribute effectively to enhancing environmental security in the region and the world, and it reaffirms its commitment to the Paris Agreement and to continuing efforts to reduce emissions by 30% by 2035, and to reach net zero in 2060, as it had announced at the “Glasgow Summit”.
At this conference, we are announcing the National Action Plan, “Blueprint Bahrain”, to achieve carbon neutrality through three tracks: low-carbon economy, climate change adaptation, and creating sustainable opportunities in the new green economy.
Within this framework, we have recently launched a national energy strategy, and a 750 million dollar climate technology fund, in addition to the establishment of the “Safa” carbon offsetting platform, the revenues of which will be directed to finance regional and international projects in this field.
We are pleased, here, to invite all interested scientists and entrepreneurs to come to our country- known for its integrated infrastructure, highly responsive systems, and skilled human resources- to innovate in energy solutions and their potential.
Distinguished delegates, our objectives of maintaining our environmental security will only be achieved within a cohesive international community in which the values of justice and shared determination prevail. We therefore express our full support for the “COP28 Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery and Peace”, which we hope will contribute to the establishment of a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East region and the world, prioritising the urgent need for the Palestinian people to be guaranteed the most basic elements of a decent life while eliminating the reasons for conflict, ending the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, and putting serious efforts into rebuilding Gaza in preparation for the establishment of their independent state in accordance with the two-state solution.
In conclusion, we express our deep appreciation for the United Arab Emirates’ pioneering efforts to support international commitments to achieve climate goals, so that our region can be at the forefront of dealing with global environmental challenges through policies that take into account all, do not exclude anyone, and do not focus only one geographical region without considering others.
We extend our sincere wishes for the success of this Conference,
May the peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you.
