From 30 November to 12 December 2023, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be hosting the 28th session (COP28) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. It will bring together the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, including the European Union (EU) and the EU Member States. The event is expected to welcome delegations from about 150 countries around the world. COP28 is the most ambitious global forum on climate change, and will take stock of progress with commitments under the Paris Agreement to significantly curb global warming.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia will be represented at the event by Andrejs Pildegovičs, Head of Secretariat for Latvia’s UNSC Candidacy, and Ambassador-at-Large Kārlis Eihenbaums. The Latvian delegation to COP28 will be led by the President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs, the Minister of Climate and Energy, Kaspars Melnis, and experts from the ministry, the Minister of Health, Hosams Abu Meri, and the Minister of Transport, Kaspars Briškens. Experts from the Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava” and the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre will participate in the informational side events, at which they will present their perspective of the consequences of climate change.
Latvia understands the need to provide support to developing countries, including the world’s least developed countries, in order to mitigate and address the impact of climate-related disasters. Latvia will also make contributions to the new climate account of the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) this year, thereby becoming one of its first supporters.
At the COP28 conference, Latvia will have to defend its report on the results of the country’s climate policy goals. In addition, Latvia is prepared to join the seven documents drafted by the UAE and other UN Member States on climate change mitigation.
The Parties will also have to agree on further action to address climate change, limit emissions and halt global warming.
COP28 comprises several hundred sessions of intergovernmental talks, as well as numerous parallel conferences, seminars, discussions, and other types of events.