Omonu YG Nelson
Dubai, UAE – In a stirring address to the ongoing Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai, Liberia’s President George Manneh Weah implored the international community, particularly major powers, to adopt a more inclusive and practical approach to tackling the escalating climate crisis.
Highlighting the devastating impacts of global warming on the planet and humanity, President Weah urged delegates to act decisively on the principles and commitments agreed upon at previous COP conferences.
“The extraordinary climate shocks we’ve witnessed this year serve as not just a wake-up call, but a clarion call for action,” the Liberian leader asserted.
Calling for a candid assessment of progress towards the 2015 Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030, President Weah emphasized the need for a more realistic and action-oriented agenda.
“If we find that we’ve fallen short of our goals, it is now incumbent upon all nations at COP28 to adopt an imperative and more realistic agenda to implement and transform key climate-related decisions into concrete actions and credible plans,” he stated.
The Liberian President also called for increased financial and other commitments to address climate change, emphasizing the need to combat the climate emergency and promote coordinated global action.
Recalling his address at COP26 in Glasgow, President Weah reiterated the need for a fundamental shift in climate change financing, urging major emitters to develop new emissions reduction initiatives and significantly increase their financial pledges.
He cautioned delegates against the misuse of carbon credit financing mechanisms, stressing the need for transparency and accountability to ensure that high emitters do not evade responsibility for reducing their emissions.
Recognizing the vulnerability of nations like Liberia to the impacts of global warming, President Weah called for increased financial support for adaptation and mitigation measures, along with compensation for the loss and damage already inflicted.
“Funding for adaptation and mitigation is crucial, and compensation for the loss and damage already inflicted must be an urgent consideration,” he emphasized.
Challenging delegates to make COP28 a turning point in the global fight against climate change, President Weah urged them to contribute to the preservation of Planet Earth for future generations.
“I challenge each of you to contribute to the preservation of Planet Earth, our only home, for the sake of generations yet unborn,” he concluded.
President Weah expressed his gratitude to the government and people of the UAE for hosting COP28 and commended them for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation.