The Muslim Council of Elders (MCE) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) invited faith-based and civil society organisations — as well as religious and community figures — to participate in the Faith Pavilion at the upcoming COP28 UAE conference in Dubai, to be held from 30th November to 12th December, 2023.

The MCE will host the Faith Pavilion, a first-of-its-kind space at the UN climate change conference, which will serve as a central hub for faith and interfaith-based engagement towards more effective and ambitious climate action and will provide a platform for partnership and discussions on how to address global challenges including environmental justice.

Upon the opening of invitations to submit EOIs, MCE Secretary-General Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam said, "The Faith Pavilion is a moment for humanity — with participants representing diverse faiths, backgrounds, and generations — to coalesce around a common cause: saving the future of our planet. We look forward to receiving EOIs to join the rich slate of programming at the Pavilion, which will harness the power and wisdom of religions, religious leaders, and faith-based organizations to pursue sustainability.”

"The Faith Pavilion — made possible by the visionary leadership of the UAE, and the dedication and drive of the COP28 UAE Presidency under the leadership of Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology — is especially significant in light of the first ever Global Stocktake (GST) of the Paris Agreement and the inclusion of all voices and peoples in the response to the climate crisis,” Judge Abdelsalam added.

The GST — a key moment to take place during COP28 — will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the progress made over the past five years in limiting the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Those interested in organising a session(s) at the COP28 UAE Faith Pavilion are invited to complete the Expression of Interest form at https://faithatcop28.com/ before 1st August, 2023.

Proposed sessions should cover the global thematic priorities of COP28 — regional priorities and positions; engagement of youth, women, and indigenous peoples; and the South-South and Triangular Cooperation.

WAM