New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the COP28 Leadership Pavilion on Friday, where he was greeted by UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The three leaders met at the venue of the 28th climate change conference, which started on Thursday and will continue till December 12. PM Modi and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan hugged each other and then joined Antonio Guterres. The trio exchanged pleasantries and had a brief conversation. They also posed for a photograph together.
PM Modi has a packed schedule during his 21-hour stay in Dubai. He will hold seven bilateral meetings, deliver four speeches and take part in two special climate events, officials said today.
PM Modi will address the opening session of the World Climate Summit Action, which is the High-Level Segment of the COP28. The World Climate Summit Action is a platform for the UNFCCC parties to showcase their actions and commitments to tackle climate change.
PM Modi will also attend the Presidency’s session on Transforming Climate Finance, hosted by the UAE, the COP28 President. He will participate in a high-level event on the Green Credits Programme, co-hosted by India and UAE. The Green Credits Programme is an innovative mechanism to mobilize private sector finance for green projects.
Additionally, PM Modi will join the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) Event, co-hosted by India and Sweden. The LeadIT initiative aims to accelerate the transition of the industry sector to low-carbon and circular economy.
This is PM Modi’s third participation in the World Climate Summit after his visits to Paris in 2015 and Glasgow in 2021.
PM Modi was welcomed by UAE Deputy Prime Minister Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan when he arrived at Dubai airport on Thursday night. The Indian diaspora also gave him a warm reception outside his hotel. They sang ‘Saare Jahan Se Achha’ and chanted ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Vande Mataram’.
In a post shared on X, PM Modi said, “Landed in Dubai to take part in the COP-28 Summit. Looking forward to the proceedings of the Summit, which are aimed at creating a better planet.”
COP28 is being held from November 28-December 12 under the Presidency of the UAE. The COP28 provides a unique opportunity to boost collective action to combat the shared challenge of climate change.
During the COP26, PM Modi announced an ambitious five-part “Panchamrit” pledge. It included reaching 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity, generating half of all energy requirements from renewables, reducing emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030, reducing the emissions intensity of GDP by 45 per cent and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
