At the 56th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the United Arab Emirates delivered a joint statement on behalf of over 69 countries, focusing on the adverse impacts of climate change on human rights.
Khalifa Almazrouei, a counsellor at the UAE mission in Geneva, emphasized the undeniable and increasingly pervasive effects of climate change, which significantly impact all economic sectors. Almazrouei called for adopting measures grounded in international human rights law to address the disproportionate impacts on the most vulnerable communities. These communities, heavily reliant on agriculture and fishing, face challenges like inadequate housing, prolonged outdoor work, and climate-related income reductions, without adequate means to adapt.
The statement urged member states to respect, promote, and protect human rights in the creation and execution of climate policies and programs. It also linked climate justice to development, emphasizing that resilience to climate change is vital for achieving Sustainable Development Goals and maintaining development progress.
Furthermore, the statement praised the historic decision at COP27 to establish a loss and damage fund, recognizing it as a crucial financial mechanism. It also lauded the success of the UAE’s presidency of COP28, which garnered over US$600 million in pledges.
Additionally, the statement highlighted the need to enhance the existing climate change regime, especially in adaptation, resilience, and loss and damage, benefiting developing countries. Almazrouei reaffirmed the commitment of the participating countries to work constructively with all relevant stakeholders to achieve these objectives.
