• Overview

    The COP28 thematic program is designed to unite a diverse range of stakeholders – all levels of governments, youth, business and investors, civil society, frontline communities, indigenous peoples, and others – around specific solutions that must be scaled up this decade to limit warming to 1.5 degrees, build resilience, and mobilize finance at scale. This set of solutions constitutes the response to the Global Stock take, looking where the world stands on climate action and support, identifying the gaps, and working together to agree on solutions pathways to 2030 and beyond.

    The WGEO and its members and partners have outlined a series of events for the thematic program during COP28, spanning the two weeks of the conference. These events have been shaped by input from a diverse set of stakeholders, reflecting their desired outcomes for each thematic day and incorporating insights from the open consultation process earlier this year.

    This preliminary program will be complemented by additional events in multiple phases over the coming months, including mandated events under the UNFCCC process. Recognizing the importance of maximizing synergies, there is a possibility that some event topics may undergo changes or be merged.

    In collaboration with WGEO and its members and partners, the program aims to provide an integrated thematic experience this year. It will align with the vision outlined in the COP28 Presidency's letter to the Parties, considering the Climate Action Pathways, the Breakthrough Agenda, and the Sharm El Sheikh Adaptation Agenda. This approach seeks to drive the necessary systemic transformations across all thematic areas to fulfill the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

    Stay tuned for updates as we collectively work towards meaningful progress in addressing climate challenges.

    Thematic Pillars

    Circularity and Green Retail
    Climate Action Global Partnerships
    Green Supply Chain
    Health, Green Recovery and Adaptation
    Sustainable Finance and Gender Equality
    Decarbonization and Just Transition
    Urbanization and Green Transport
    Youth Empowerment and Green Skills
    Nature-Based Solutions and Water Resilience
    Food Security, Smart Agriculture and Water Management
    Green Tourism and Climate Digital Technologies

    Program


    30th November 2023

    COP28 THEMATIC DAY :
    OPENING DAY
    COP28 THEME/WGEO PROGRAMATIC DAY :
    CIRCULARITY AND GREEN RETAIL DAY
    Promoting Sustainable Consumption and Production for a Greener Global Economy
    15:00 - 15:45
    (60 mins)
    The Role of Circular Business Models in Maximizing Efficiency and Enhancing Resource Sustainability

    Speakers

    Mr. KD Kandpal

    Tristar

    Rajesh Garg

    Landmark Group

    Mr. Ezzeddine Jradi

    Emicool

    Moderator

    Dr. Darren Perrin

    Roland Berger


    1st December 2023

    COP28 THEMATIC DAY :
    WORLD CLIMATE ACTION SUMMIT
    COP28 THEME/WGEO PROGRAMATIC DAY :
    CLIMATE ACTION GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS DAY
    Leaving No One Behind: Leveraging Global Partnerships for a Just Transition for All
    11:00 - 12:00
    (60 mins)
    Space for Sustainability: Contribution of Space Based Capabilities to Sustainability Research and Climate Science

    Speakers

    Aarti Holla-Maini

    UNOOSA

    H.E. Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi

    UAE Space Agency

    David Roth

    Amazon

    Lloyd Whitman

    GeoTech Center, Atlantic Council

    Andrew Zolli

    Planet


    2nd December 2023

    COP28 THEMATIC DAY :
    WORLD CLIMATE ACTION SUMMIT
    COP28 THEME/WGEO PROGRAMATIC DAY :
    GREEN SUPPLY CHAIN DAY
    Accelerating the Global Green Economy Through Sustainable Supply Chains and Business Managemnt
    10:00 - 10:45
    (45 mins)
    Minimizing Industry Carbon Footprint through the Mapping of Green Supply Chain

    Speakers

    Dragos Fundulea

    Roland Berger

    Dharashree Panda

    Landmark

    Moderator

    Karim Refaat

    Chairman & CEO, The Ngage Group

    11:00 - 13:00
    (90 mins)
    BREAK
    13:00 - 14:00
    (60 mins)
    Sustainable Pathways – Fostering Innovation & Investment for a Greener Tomorrow

    Speakers

    Gilles Vermot-Desroches

    Schneider Electric

    Bertrand Piccard

    Solar Impulse Foundation

    Hassatou N’Sele

    African Development Bank Group

    Sandro Pierri

    BNP Paribas Asset Management

    Moderator

    Stéphanie BRETONNIERE

    WE.IMPACT WORLD

    14:15- 15:00
    (45 mins)
    Sustainable Fashion

    Speakers

    Dharashree Panda

    Landmark

    15:15 - 16:00
    (45 mins)
    Sustainable Procurement: Navigating Policies and Practices

    Speakers

    Alida Saleh

    JLL

    Omar Katanani

    Majid Al Futtaim Retail

    Dimitra Theodoropulos

    Talabat

    Moderator

    Stéphanie BRETONNIERE

    WE.IMPACT WORLD


    3rd December 2023

    COP28 THEMATIC DAY :
    HEALTH / RELIEF, RECOVERY AND PEACE
    COP28 THEME/WGEO PROGRAMATIC DAY :
    HEALTH, GREEN RECOVERY AND ADAPTATION DAY
    Building Back Better: Green Economic Recovery and Developing Community Resilience/ Adaptive Capacities
    10:15 - 10:45
    (30 mins)
    The Role of North-South Cooperation in Accelerating Climate Action through Climate Finance and Knowledge Transfer

    Speakers

    Carrie Walczak

    FMO Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank

    Ghina Annan

    Stantec

    13:00 - 14:00
    (60mins)
    U.S. Corporate Climate Action: Bold Commitments and Transformational Actions

    Speakers

    Kara Hurst

    Amazon

    Katie McGinty

    Johnson Controls

    Chris Hook

    Uber

    Virginie Helias

    Proctor & Gamble

    Douglas Sabo

    Visa Inc.

    Moderator

    Nat Keohane

    Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES)

    14:00 - 14:30
    (30mins)
    Break
    14:30 - 15:15
    (45 mins)
    Exploring Innovative Adaptation Approaches: The Rising Role of Artificial Intelligence in Advancing Climate Change Adaptation

    Speakers

    Ezzeddine Jradi

    Emicool

    Ovais Sarmad

    UNFCCC

    Prof Saifur Rahman

    Virginia Tech

    Moderator

    Dr. Darren Perrin

    Roland Berger

    15:30 - 16:15
    (45 mins)
    Climate Finance for Adaptation: A Discussion on Climate Finance Mechanisms

    Speakers

    Raphael Lebel

    IFD/ Paris Europlace

    Amir Sharifi

    Ardian

    Dr. Sherif ElKholy

    Emicool

    Moderator

    Dr. Darren Perrin

    Roland Berger

    16:30 - 18:00
    (1h30 mins)
    Palau Showcase

    4th December 2023

    COP28 THEMATIC DAY :
    FINANCE / TRADE / GENDER EQUALITY / ACCOUNTABILITY
    COP28 THEME/WGEO PROGRAMATIC DAY :
    SUSTAINABLE FINANCE AND GENDER EQUALITY DAY
    From Conceptualization to Materialization: Mobilizing Green Finance to Advance a Green Economy Transition
    13:00 - 13:30
    (30 mins)
    Real-world application of data analytics in tracking and measuring the progress of climate commitments

    Speakers

    Dr. Oliver Marchand

    MSCI

    14:00- 16:00
    (120 mins)
    Catalyzing Gender Equity in Climate Finance: Investing in Women-Led Climate Solutions in Emerging Markets

    Speakers

    FIRESIDE CHAT:

    Tina Sciabica

    Amazon

    FIRESIDE CHAT:

    Sana Kapadia

    2X Global

    Patty O’Hayer

    Reckitt

    Najada Kumbuli

    Visa Foundation

    Laura Lane

    UPS

    Admiral Rachel Levine

    Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

    Monique Vledder

    World Bank

    Angela Naef

    Reckitt

    Her Excellency Toyin Saraki

    Founder-President of Wellbeing Foundation Africa

    Moderators

    Gillian Caldwell

    USAID

    David Shukman

    BBC News

    16:30- 17:30
    (60 mins)
    Launch of UNDP’s Initiative on High Integrity Carbon Markets

    Speakers

    Achim Steiner

    Cassie Flynn

    Hon. Dr. Kwaku Afriyie

    Mr. Felix Wertli

    Leticia Guimarães

    Governor Helder Barbalho

    Governor Clécio Luís

    Jorge Mario Rodriguez

    Jennifer Tauli Corpuz


    5th December 2023

    COP28 THEMATIC DAY :
    ENERGY AND INDUSTRY / JUST TRANSITION / INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
    COP28 THEME/WGEO PROGRAMATIC DAY :
    DECARBONIZATION AND JUST TRANSITION DAY
    Harnessing the Power of Industry for Green Solutions: Fostering a Green Transition through Catalyzing on Green Investments and Carbon Trading
    10:00 - 11:00
    (60 mins)
    Accelerating Decarbonization Solutions for Transportation

    Speakers

    Keynote

    Carlos Monje

    US Department of Transportation

    Keynote

    Ali Zaidi

    President and National Climate Advisor

    Kristen Siemen

    General Motors

    Lauren Riley

    United Airlines

    Morten Bo Christiansen

    A.P. Moller–Maersk

    Kara Hurst

    Amazon

    Moderator

    Carol Browner

    White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy

    11:00 - 12:30
    (90 mins)
    Accelerating Logistics Decarbonization and Green Corporate Fleets

    Speakers

    Cristiano Façanha

    Pawan Mulukutla

    Volker Ratzmann

    Andreas Kammel

    Uday Khemka

    Robert Zeigler

    Chris Atkins

    Vivianne Heijnen

    Huiming Gong

    Joanna Shanmugalingam

    Moderators

    Sophie Punte

    SFC

    Cristiano Façanha

    SFC

    12:45- 13:45
    (60 mins)
    Capacity Building for Climate Action and sustaining Peace – Dialogue on Lessons Learnt and the Way Forward

    Speakers

    Jamila Youssef Ibrahim Matar

    League of Arab States

    Maged K. Mahmoud

    RCREEE

    Nasser Saidi

    CEBC

    Kishan Khoday

    UNDP

    Tarig Ahmed

    IRENA

    14:00 - 15:00
    (60 mins)
    Break
    15:15 - 16:15
    (60 mins)
    Research Publication on the Lean and Green Report

    Speakers

    Geir Fuglerud

    DNV

    Christopher Lilholm

    DNV


    6th December 2023

    COP28 THEMATIC DAY :
    MULTILEVEL ACTION, URBANIZATION AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT/TRANSPORT
    COP28 THEME/WGEO PROGRAMATIC DAY :
    URBANIZATION AND GREEN TRANSPORT DAY
    Transforming Tomorrow’s Cities: Greening Urban Landscapes To Drive Forward Sustainable Green Economies
    13:00 - 14:00
    (60 mins)
    Solutions for Hard to Abate Sectors: Use of Aluminum for Recycling

    Speakers

    Jonas Debrabandere

    Roland Berger Belgium

    Thierry Dezenclos

    Veolia

    David Van Heuverswyn

    Every Can Count program

    Ibrahim AbdulMajid Al Ali

    Tadweer

    Maarten Labberton

    Aluminum Europe

    Rania Tayeh

    Senior Manager, CSR, Emirates Global Aluminum

    Moderator

    Filippo Ghizzoni

    Roland Berger Middle East

    14:30 - 16:00
    (1hr 30 mins)
    Joint High-level Ministerial Panel -Trees in Dry Cities: Luxury or a Fundamental Climate SDG Solution?

    Speakers

    H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer

    Tatiana Molcean

    H.E. Muawieh Radaideh

    H.E. Aziz Abdukhakimov

    Mr. Adalberto Maluf

    Ms. Nouzha Bouchareb

    Mr. Aly Abousabaa

    Francesco Corvaro

    Ms. Xenya Scanlon

    Mr. Ricardo Rio

    Ms. Christine Peterson

    Hon. Pedro Roque

    Assembly of the Mediterranean

    Mr. Stephen O’Driscoll

    World Green Economy Organization and UNECE

    Moderators

    United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    World Green Economy Organization

    16:15 -17:15
    (60 mins)
    Government-Business Collaboration for Technological Solutions to Climate Change

    Speakers

    Abdullah Al Busaidi

    Communications and Information Technology, Sultanate of Oman

    Waleed Faisal Albassam

    Prime Ministers Office, Kingdom of Bahrain

    May Youssef

    Public Affairs & Comms, Regional

    Moderator

    Raji Unnikrishnan

    GO ALIVE MEDIA HOUSE


    8th December 2023

    COP28 THEMATIC DAY :
    YOUTH, CHILDREN, EDUCATION AND SKILLS
    COP28 THEME/WGEO PROGRAMATIC DAY :
    YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND GREEN SKILLS DAY
    Empowering The Next Generation For Sustainable Climate Action And Integration In The Green Economy
    09:00 - 10:00
    (60 mins)
    NDCs/NAPs in the Arab States and Africa, focusing on water

    Speakers

    Eng Ahmed Mohamed Hassan

    Ministry of Energy and Water Resources Federal government of Somalia

    Mr. Saddam Qahtan Waheed

    Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources

    Mr. Thomas Lerenten

    Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry in the Republic of Kenya

    Ms. Rohini Kholi

    Climate Change Adaptation Policy and Planning

    Moderator

    Benjamin Basmaci

    UNDP

    10:15 - 11:15
    (60 mins)
    Breakfast - Panel Retail Resilience: Charting a Sustainable Path in the GCC Retail Industry

    Speakers

    Seneca Cottom

    Alshaya Group

    Florence Bulte

    Chaloub Group

    Laetitia Magentie

    Apparel Group

    Moderator

    Samia Al Duaij

    Meras Consulting

    11:30 - 12:15
    (45 mins)
    Advancing Net Zero: Raising Awareness, Educating, and Advocating Towards Net Zero in the UAE

    Speakers

    Faisal Ali Al Rashid

    Dubai Supreme Council of Energy

    Andrea Di Gregorio

    RAK Municipality

    Farah Naz

    AECOM

    Mustapha Aanzi

    IBECE Energy

    Moderator

    Majd Fayyad

    DSCE

    12:15 - 13:00
    (30 mins)
    Break
    13:00 - 14:00
    (45 mins)
    Successful Climate Initiatives by Young Change Makers

    Speakers

    Raphael Lebel

    IFD/ Paris Europlace

    Timothee MACE DUBOIS

    Schneider Electric

    Kevin Chalhoub

    EV Lab

    Moderator

    Karim Refaat

    Chairman & CEO, The Ngage Group

    14:15- 15:15
    (60 mins)
    Beyond Single-Use: The Rise of Reusable Carrier Bags and Customer Loyalty in Retail

    Speakers

    Seneca Cottom

    Alshaya Group

    Derek Mak

    99 Bridges

    Monique Maissan

    Waste2Wear

    Moderator

    Samia Al Duaij

    Meras Consulting

    15:30 - 16:30
    (60 mins)
    Green Gold: Recycling Suppliers Transforming Retail Waste into Profit

    Speakers

    Seneca Cottom

    Alshaya Group

    Waleed Esbeitah

    Tadwire Recycling

    Aliyu Ali

    Efhaaz Recycling

    Andre Willenbercht

    SOEX

    Moderator

    Monir Salem Bou Ghanem

    Environment Policy and Regulations

    16:45 - 17:15
    (45 mins)
    Empowering the Next Generation to Drive Positive Change Through Green and Digital Skills

    Speakers

    Raya Makawi

    3M

    Christopher Lilholm

    DNV

    Mr. Balaji Nagabhushan

    Tristar

    Eesa M Al Bastaki

    University of Dubai

    Moderator

    Karim Refaat

    Chairman & CEO, The Ngage Group


    9th December 2023

    COP28 THEMATIC DAY :
    NATURE, LAND USE, AND OCEANS
    COP28 THEME/WGEO PROGRAMATIC DAY :
    NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS AND WATER RESILIENCE DAY
    Harmony In Habitats: Nurturing Nature’s Diversity And Harnessing Solutions For A Climate And Water Resilient World
    8:00 - 9:00
    (60 mins)
    Fireside Chat and Breakfast Networking
    10:15- 11:15
    (60 mins)
    “How Farming Systems can Adapt to, Mitigate and Manage the Effects of Climate Change and Supply Chain Insecurity”

    Speakers

    Jamie Burrows

    Founder & CEO, Vertical Future

    11:30 - 12:15
    (45 mins)
    Going Back to our Roots: Leveraging Local Knowledge and Local Solutions to Enhance Countries’ Adaptation Efforts

    Speakers

    Ezzeddine Jradi

    Emicool

    Rokiatou Traoré

    Herou Alliance, Negotiator

    Moderator

    Karim Haggar

    Nature-based solutions & Biodiversity

    12:30- 13:15
    (45 mins)
    Preserving Earth’s Climate through Forests: The Role of Reforestation and Afforestation in Climate Mitigation

    Speakers

    Jamie Burrows

    Vertical Future

    Moderator

    Karim Haggar

    Roland Berger

    13:30 - 14:15
    (45 mins)
    Sustainable Coastal Resilience and Ecosystem Restoration: UAE Mangrove Restoration a Case in Point

    Speakers

    Georges T. Ibrahim

    Dendra Systems

    Moderator

    Raji Unnikrishnan

    Go Alive Media House

    16.45 – 17.30
    (45 mins)
    Publications: Just Transition in Emerging Markets: a Case Study of India, Egypt and South Africa

    Speakers

    Nick Robins

    Sustainable Finance

    Mauricio Bermudez Neubauer

    Accenture

    Moderator

    Naveen Raza

    Net Zero Transition & Partnerships


    10th December 2023

    COP28 THEMATIC DAY :
    FOOD, AGRICULTURE AND WATER
    COP28 THEME/WGEO PROGRAMATIC DAY :
    FOOD SECURITY, SMART AGRICULTURE AND WATER MANAGEMENT DAY
    Advancing The Nexus Of Food, Agriculture, And Water For Optimum Management And Use
    10:15- 11:15
    (60 mins)
    “Responding to a Global Water Crisis: How Food Systems Can Adapt in an Era of Water Scarcity”

    Speakers

    Jamie Burrows

    Jamie Founder & CEO

    11:30 - 12:15
    (45 mins)
    Online Ordering Trends and Environmental Challenges in the UAE

    Speakers

    Ervin Llalla

    Ecocentric.eco

    Alexander Lemzakov

    Wize

    Farid Dallal

    Motoboy

    Moderator

    Sara Llalla,

    ecocentric.eco

    12:30 - 13:30
    (60 mins)
    Break
    15:00 - 16:00
    (60 mins)
    The journey to sustainable consumption, a conquest or a collaborative mission?

    11th December 2023

    COP28 THEMATIC DAY :
    FINAL NEGOTIATIONS
    COP28 THEME/WGEO PROGRAMATIC DAY :
    GREEN TOURISM AND CLIMATE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES DAY
    Eco-Innovations For A Green Economy: Fostering Green Tourism Andclimate Digital Solutions
    9:00 - 9:45
    (45 mins)
    Sustainable Tourism

    Speakers

    Alida Saleh

    JLL

    Muna Al Nahdi

    Farnek

    Wassim Yassine

    Bain & Company

    Moderator

    Karim Haggar

    Nature-based solutions & Biodiversity

    11:15 - 12:15
    (60 mins)
    Dragon Oil - Zero Flaring & Zero Leaks

    Speakers

    Ali Al Jarwan

    CEO, Dragon Oil

    12:30 - 13:30
    (60 mins)
    Tristar
    13:45 - 14:45
    (60 mins)
    Digital DEWA - Empowering Smart Cities with Green Tech.

    Speakers

    Ebrahim Al Raei

    Director - Smart Cities & IOT Operations , MORO

    Rashid Al Ahmedi

    COO, Infra X

    15:00 - 16:00
    (60 mins)
    Awards Ceremony

    12th December 2023

    COP28 THEMATIC DAY :
    FINAL NEGOTIATIONS
    COP28 THEME/WGEO PROGRAMATIC DAY :
    ROAD TO COP29 DAY
    Carving Down Actionable Steps Post Cop28
    Back to Events

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