MCE Launches Second Edition of "Faith Pavilion" at COP29

As the global climate crisis escalates, the Faith Pavilion, organized by the Muslim Council of Elders, is set to play a pivotal role at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), to be hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan, this November. Building on the success of its inaugural edition at COP28, which was held last year in the United Arab Emirates, and which saw widespread global participation and international acclaim, the Faith Pavilion will once again bring together a diverse coalition of 97 organizations representing 11 different religions and sects. This collective will offer unique moral and ethical perspectives to enhance climate action.

The Faith Pavilion will reunite this global coalition to provide religious and moral insights on strengthening climate efforts through a comprehensive program, including over 40 discussion sessions exploring the integration of spirituality and ethics into climate action. Discussions will address restoring spiritual roots to tackle the climate crisis, exploring non-economic impacts of climate change through religious perspectives while empowering students to address environmental challenges through faith teachings, the role of women’s leadership in achieving climate justice, fostering political partnerships for climate adaptation, and harnessing indigenous and interfaith wisdom.

At COP29, the Faith Pavilion will also explore other topics related to sustainable lifestyles, faith-inspired eco-villages, innovative climate financing, and intergenerational dialogue. The Pavilion will highlight the principles outlined in the " Call of Conscience: Abu Dhabi Joint Statement for Climate," within an interactive framework that will make the Faith Pavilion a hub for transformative ideas and collaborative solutions. These efforts will be driven by shared values and the commitment of faith communities worldwide. The Pavilion will emphasize the shared dedication of these diverse communities to addressing environmental challenges and explore how spiritual teachings can inspire urgent climate action.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, underscored the pressing need for climate action to adopt innovative solutions grounded in ethical values and scientific knowledge. He emphasized the crucial role that religious and intellectual leaders play as a powerful moral voice capable of guiding individuals and communities toward embracing the principles of justice and sustainability. Judge Abdelsalam noted that the Faith Pavilion at COP29 builds on the significant success of its inaugural edition at COP28 in Dubai and aims to ensure the continuity of COP28's initiatives while strengthening the collective spiritual effort in addressing climate challenges.