Environment minister urges global collaboration at COP28, highlights Jordan's climate challenges, innovative initiatives

AMMAN — Environment Minister Muawieh Radaideh on Sunday underscored the need for concerted efforts to strengthen adaptation and enhance the world's resilience to climate change, particularly the most vulnerable communities.

Addressing the global stock-take meeting, held on the sidelines of the Dubai-hosted United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28, Radaideh highlighted the current climate change-related challenges facing Jordan, including rising temperatures, reduced rainfall, increased droughts and one third of the population seeking refuge from regional conflicts.

This influx has overburdened the existing limited natural resources, fragile ecosystems and infrastructure, he was quoted by the Jordan News Agency, Petra as saying.
Radaideh also highlighted the “Climate/Refugee Nexus Initiative " launched by His Majesty King Abdullah at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-27) in Sharm El Sheikh last year. Garnering support from 58 countries to date, the initiative is a key solution for relief, recovery and peace, and will be formally launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-28).

The minister also provided a comprehensive overview of the latest national climate change adaptation policies, plans and projects.

Attaching importance to the urgency of addressing the adaptation financing gap in developing countries, Radaideh called for focusing on infrastructure projects, technology transfer and capacity building to effectively manage the impacts of climate change.These initiatives are not only critical responses to climate change, but also opportunities for investment, job generation, innovation, entrepreneurship and the achievement of climate and economic development goals for developing countries, he said.

Radaideh commended the efforts of the United Arab Emirates, highlighting its crucial role in initiating a fund to address the losses and damages caused by climate change. This remarkable step saw the UAE contribute $100 million to the fund, in addition to similar contributions from Germany and other nations.