UAE Ambassador: Climate action needed to protect children

Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN, His Excellency Mohamed Abushahab, highlighted the importance of fighting climate change to curb its impact on children, during a special UNICEF session on Thursday. 

“Natural disasters, resource insecurity, and the spread of disease are just a few of the many adverse impacts of climate change on the health and well-being of vulnerable populations, including over one billion children,” Ambassador Abushahab said.  

On behalf of the Troika of COP Presidencies, namely Azerbaijan, Brazil, and the Ambassador said they are working to mitigate climate change and keep 1.5 degrees Celsius within reach, stressing the need to align existing NDCs with the 1.5 temperature goal as much as possible to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

“Given the far-reaching effects of the climate crisis, the Troika emphasizes the importance of the provision of climate finance, including for adaptation, resilient infrastructure and societies that better safeguard children. By investing in resilient infrastructure that can withstand the impacts of climate change, we ensure the protection of children’s education, health, and livelihood,” he added.

The Ambassador concluded his remarks by calling for collective responsibility to take urgent action to create a better world for children.