With the highly-anticipated COP28 summit happening soon, here are 5 things you need to know about one of the world’s most important climate change conferences. Find out below on what’s driving the agenda, the distinguished attendees expected as well as recommended sessions to watch!

#1 What is COP28?

COP stands for ‘Conference of Parties’ to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It is an international climate summit held annually where world leaders and other prominent decision-makers gather to negotiate and agree to the actions necessary on how to tackle climate change, limit emissions and halt global warming. The United Nations Climate Change Conferences are considered to be the world’s highest decision-making body on climate issues and one of the largest international meetings in the world.  There are currently 198 Parties (197 countries and the European Union) to the Convention.

#2 When is COP28?

This year, COP28 will be taking place from 30 Nov to 12 Dec 2023. However, the events might stretch into time as world leaders negotiate and finalise agreements.

#3 Where is COP28 held?

COP28 will be held at Expo City, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this year. The event includes two zones:

1. The Blue Zone
This will be a UNFCCC-managed site, open to accredited parties (country negotiators) and observer delegates (NGOs, IGOs, UN Agencies), media, and world leaders.  This zone is dedicated to hosting formal negotiations, as well as hundreds of official side events, including panel discussions, speaking events, and cultural events.

2. The Green Zone
The Green Zone is a space managed and delivered by the COP28 UAE Presidency. It offers a platform to non-accredited delegates, including youth groups, civil society, the private sector, and indigenous groups to have their voices heard, promoting dialogue and awareness about climate action.

Through the Green Zone, the COP28 UAE Presidency offers the private sector the opportunity to showcase their contributions and solutions to the global climate challenge. Their innovative approaches, climate action technologies and entrepreneurship will constitute an important part of COP28 UAE. The Green Zone will also host technical conferences, panels, and activations with a focus on  existing and future solutions to climate change mitigation.

There will also be many other fringe or side events organised by individuals, businesses, and other organisations who have not been able to secure space in the Blue or Green Zones. These are not official events and are not directly aligned with the COP.

#4 Who is expected at COP28?

As the world’s highest decision-making process on climate issues, it is expected to host over 70,000 delegates, including heads of state and world leaders. Some of the prominent figures expected to be there include Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, King Charles III and others.

#5 Why is COP28 important?

Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement on climate change at COP21 in 2015, subsequent conferences have been focused on implementing the key goal to halt global average temperature rise to below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit the rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. If COP24 and COP26 were aimed to reveal the plan, COP28 is expected to be a turning point designed to “move Agreement to Action”. More information on the Action Agenda can be found in the COP28 President-Designate’s Letter to Parties here.

Recommended Sessions For Maritime & Aviation

Now that we’ve shared the key factors behind COP28, what can we expect for Maritime and Aviation? With 6 Dec dedicated to addressing issues on transportation, here are some side events to watch out for:

• Topic: Voyage to Net Zero Forum
  Where to Watch: Live Stream Channel Here
  Organised by the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) with IMO Participation at the Singapore Pavillion, this panel discussion will highlight next steps for the IMO following the revision of the IMO Strategy. Speakers include Lars Kastrup, Sveinung Oftedal, Alvin Foo, Camille Bourgeon, Teresa Christopher and Wei Siang New. Some key topics include opportunities and gaps for green corridors, fuel transition, energy mix and standards-setting and harmonisation for new fuels.
• Topic: Navigating the Future: Boosting Sustainable Alternative Fuels in Shipping
  Where to Watch: Live Stream Channel Here
  In this panel discussion organised by the European Union, speakers will reflect on promising solutions and technologies, funding opportunities and investment priorities to promote scalability and the availability of renewable and low carbon fuels in the maritime industry. Speakers include Herald Ruijters, Magda Kopczynska, Morten Bo Christiansen, Alexander Feindt, Sveinung Oftedal, Afke van Rijn, Isabelle Ryckbost, and Bruno Carvalho Arruda.

For full details on COP28, please visit the website here.