Participants visit the Sharm El-Sheikh International Convention Centre in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on Saturday. Reuters

The UN climate summit, COP27, opens in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt on Sunday amid growing calls for rich countries to compensate poorer nations most vulnerable to climate change. The summit will see delegates from around the world participate in the annual climate change negotiations.

Diplomats from more than 130 countries are expected to push for the creation of a dedicated loss and damage finance facility at COP27.

Much of the focus surrounding COP27 is expected to relate to loss and damage – compensation funds provided by wealthy nations to vulnerable lower-income countries that bear little responsibility for climate-warming emissions, according to Reuters.

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Delegates will begin the two-week negotiation process by approving the conference agenda during the opening plenary session, with all eyes on whether wealthier nations agree to have the compensation listed formally on the agenda.

 With over 40,000 estimated attendees, the summit is expected to host one of the largest number of participants in the annual global climate conference, which is running from Nov.6 to Nov.18 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Ambassador Wael Aboulmagd, Special Representative to the COP27 President, said: “The Egyptian Presidency team has worked tirelessly to create an enabling environment that is conducive to successful negotiations. As the hosts of the COP, we are keen on bringing representative of nations and stakeholders from across the world and to provide the required momentum to address the required actions for urgent and at-scale implementation of climate commitments and pledges.”

The Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Center (SHICC) will form the overall Blue Zone for COP27.

A view of the main entrance of the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre in Egypt. AFP

In addition, a long list of dynamic events will be organized by Governments and accredited observers including youth advocates and scientists.

A 22,500 square meter Green Zone is where the business community, youth, civil society, academia, and artists from all over the world will have an additional space to be present and participate.

It aims to promote inclusive and dynamic dialogue and engagement among climate actors via events, exhibitions, workshops, cultural performances, and talks.

The Sharm El Sheikh Climate Implementation Summit will take place Nov.7-8, bringing all participating heads of state and government.

Following the summit’s inauguration, several roundtables will be held to focus on six key topics: Just Transitions, Food Security, Innovative Finance for Climate and Development, Investing in the Future of Energy, Water Security, and Climate Change and The Sustainability of Vulnerable Communities.

On the sidelines of the global negotiations set to take place in Egypt during the conference, the COP27 Egyptian Presidency has also designated several key thematic days that will include panel pledging opportunities, discussions, roundtables, and side events.

These thematic days are a part of efforts to advance climate action that can address existing implementation bottlenecks and gaps, and deepen engagement with youth, women, civil society, and indigenous people, among others, at the center of the discussions.

Officials pose for pictures at the Sharm El-Sheikh International Convention Centre in Egypt. Reuters

During its participation in the 2022 Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27), which will begin on Sunday (Nov.6), the UAE will showcase its achievements in the areas of climate action, energy transition and diplomatic campaigns to support international climate action, as well as its preparations to host COP28 next year.

Through its close partnership with Egypt, the UAE will link the outcomes of COP27 and COP28 to support climate action and raise awareness of its visions and efforts to achieve sustainability.

The UAE has a rich record of achievements in climate action, which it considers an opportunity to help find practical solutions to this global issue that affects everyone, in line with its efforts aimed at diversifying its economy and improving the skills of the youth.

The UAE is among the world’s largest humanitarian aid donors and provides direct aid during times of climate-related disasters and conflicts, whose repercussions are exacerbated by climate change. The country was the first in the region to sign and ratify the Paris Agreement in 2015 and announce a climate neutrality strategy for 2050.

Under the Paris Agreement in 2015, COP21 member states must work to adopt ambitious climate requirements.

The ultimate goal of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system within a timeframe that allows ecosystems to adapt naturally and enable sustainable development.

The Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC, which takes place annually, is the largest annual conference of the United Nations (UN).

The UNFCCC has near-universal membership with 197 parties and is the parent treaty of the 2015 Paris Agreement, whose main objective is to keep the average global temperature rise this century as close as possible to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.