Faith Pavilion at COP28 hosts dialogue session titled ‘Faith, Youth, and COP28’

The Faith Pavilion

The Faith Pavilion at COP28 hosted a dialogue session titled "Faith, Youth, and COP28" with the participation of Omar Saif Ghobash, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador to the Holy See, along with Archbishop Christophe Zakhia El Kassis, Apostolic Nuncio to the UAE, Rabbi David Rosen, Special Advisor for Interfaith and Jewish Affairs at the Abrahamic Family House, and Abdulla Al Shehhi, Acting Executive Director of the Abrahamic Family House.

The dialogue session highlighted ways to enhance efforts to raise awareness in addressing global issues related to climate change, the role of religions in promoting youth responsibility, and the importance of joint initiatives between religions in the field of climate action.

Ghobash emphasised that solutions to the climate crisis can be found outside traditional thinking, and it is essential to embrace Islamic principles and traditions that advocate for coexistence. He also pointed out that accepting the notion that others present facts about various challenges, especially the climate challenge, will contribute to exploring a greater number of innovative ideas and solutions.

El Kassis stated that everyone is ethically and spiritually committed to protecting the planet and preserving the environment, ensuring a brighter and safer future for all, especially the current and future generations. He affirmed that His Holiness Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church, calls on all communities and peoples, including youth, to consider their shared responsibilities and take tangible and effective actions to address the challenges of climate change.

Rosen emphasised that interfaith cooperation has become a necessity and that leaders and religious figures must participate in discussions and policies related to climate change. He noted that the climate crisis is not a scientific problem but rather a result of human behaviours that impact the environment and its natural resources.

He further highlighted that climate change is currently the most critical global issue because the Earth is at risk of collapse unless urgent measures are taken to preserve it.

For his part, Al Shehhi explained that the consequences of climate change are accelerating at an unprecedented pace, with increasing risks. However, there is an opportunity for collaboration and joint action to make fundamental and methodological changes that can reduce the negative effects of climate change.

He called on climate action organisers to meet the needs of communities to adapt to the new climate reality and support them in facing the climate crisis to build a world of peace and prosperity.

The Muslim Council of Elders is organising the Faith Pavilion at COP28 in collaboration with the COP28 Presidency, the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence in the UAE, and the United Nations Environment Programme. The pavilion will feature representatives of nine religions participating in around 70 dialogue sessions with over 300 speakers from around the world.