Presidents Lula da Silva and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Collaborate to Tackle Climate Change and Biodiversity Crisis
At the COP28 World Climate Action Summit, Presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE announced a robust bilateral partnership. This collaboration aims to fortify the global response to climate change and biodiversity challenges, emphasizing alignment with key international agreements.
The leaders affirmed their commitment to implement the UN Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Prioritizing the urgency of action, the partnership will focus on safeguarding tropical and mangrove forests, introducing innovative financial mechanisms like the Tropical Forest Forever initiative, and supporting local communities, particularly indigenous and traditional groups.
The cooperation, an extension of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in April 2023, seeks to enhance local livelihoods and align with development goals. Key areas include forest protection, financial mechanisms for nature conservation, and policies benefiting local communities, women, and youth engaged in climate and nature action.
Both nations expressed enthusiasm for collaboration during Brazil’s G20 Presidency in 2024, as well as contributing to the upcoming presidencies of UNFCCC COP29 and CBD COP16, reinforcing their joint commitment to global sustainability.