COP28 UCN

Empowering Youth: Ajman University's Role in COP28 UCN 

The United Arab Emirates is bustling with preparations for the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties, known as COP28, which will be held in Dubai from November 30 to December 12, 2023. This vital worldwide event attempts to solve one of our time's most urgent issues: Climate Change. While international leaders and governments will have a significant impact on the result, the young and academia are stepping up to make their views known and their actions count.

Ajman University, a prestigious institution of higher learning, has taken an important step by formally joining the COP28 Universities Climate Network (UCN). The UCN is a network of UAE-based universities and higher education institutions working together to mobilize youth and academia in the lead-up to COP28. Ajman University’s participation in the UCN demonstrates its commitment to inclusion and to creating an environment where young people can lead the fight against climate change. The network's structure represents its tremendous length and intention. Empowering young people to act as change agents is not just laudable—it is essential—in an era where climate challenges have taken center stage.

As an integral part of the Universities Climate Network, Ajman University will participate in joint activities aimed at mobilizing young people via relevant discussions and projects. This involves giving young people a forum to express themselves and actively engage in conversations that impact climate policies. The UCN has also thematic working groups focused on different disciplines and concepts, and Ajman University is proud to be leading the Green Job Skills Thematic Working Group under the direction of Ms. Maya Haddad, the sustainability manager at Ajman University. This commitment is consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, particularly SDG 13 on climate action and SDG 17 on collaboration for the goals. The commitment of Ajman University to these SDGs highlights its position as a proactive force in influencing climate legislation and developing international collaboration in the fight against climate change.

As COP28 approaches, the joint efforts and unshakable devotion of institutions like Ajman University, in collaboration with the larger UCN, are laying the groundwork for a transformative meeting. Over 70,000 people will congregate on the sacred grounds of Expo City Dubai, including heads of state, government officials, worldwide industrial leaders, private sector representatives, academics, specialists, and, most importantly, youth. Together, they will pave a route towards effective climate action and policy creation, fueled by the COP28 Universities Climate Network's collaborative spirit and innovative thinking.