GCC countries stress need to give priority to climate change

Geneva: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have urged the international community to give priority to climate change due to its wide and complex impacts.

They voiced their concern for the phenomenon’s negative implications to the security and safety of all humanity, including its right to food.

This was unveiled in a statement delivered by Idris Abdulrahman Al Khanjari, Permanent Representative of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Nations (UN) and International Organisations in Geneva, on behalf of GCC states.

The statement was delivered within the framework of a panel discussion on climate change as part of the 53rd session of the Human Rights Council.

Al Khanjari pointed out that GCC countries were keen to constructively participate in global and regional conferences and initiatives in addressing the negative effects of climate change.

He said that the Climate Conference provided an ideal opportunity to address this global phenomenon and poses challenges prompting shared responsibilities.

He affirmed that GCC states, through their initiatives and plans, seek to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. The GCC action includes the Saudi Green initiative and Green Middle East initiatives, as well as the United Arab Emirates’ hosting the 28th Climate Summit (COP28) towards the end of this year (2023).

The GCC states look forward to provide the first positive global output, based on collective action, towards implementing the goals of the Paris Agreement within the context of the COP28 summit.