MCE Participates in Meeting of Climate Action, UN Summit of Future with COP29

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, participated in the High-Level Meeting on Trust and Global Governance: Climate Action, Linking the UN Summit of the Future with COP29, held on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 25-26. The event was attended by various policymakers, academics, environmental experts, and civil society representatives, including Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization; Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme; Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations; and Mukhtar Babayev, President-designate of COP29 and Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

During the panel session titled “COP29: Addressing justice and equity for an effective response to the climate crisis,” Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam emphasized that as the climate crisis worsens, the burden falls disproportionately on the world’s most vulnerable populations, despite their minimal contribution to climate change. He pointed out that their lack of voice and adequate representation in decision-making processes leads to policies that do not adequately address their needs and priorities. Justice and equity, he stated, are essential pillars for delivering an effective response to the climate crisis. He also highlighted the importance of the topics discussed by participants at the High-Level Meeting on Trust and Global Governance, which connects the UN Summit of the Future to COP29.

In his speech, Judge Abdelsalam noted that religious teachings can inspire individuals to strive for justice and solidarity, enhancing their ability to tackle global crises through fair and equitable solutions. He added, "As we continue these crucial discussions, we are reminded of the words of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, who said, ‘Climate change presents a global challenge that demands a response rooted in justice, equity, and solidarity.’ This spirit is precisely what we need today to renew our commitment to building a more just and sustainable future.” He also cited Pope Francis’ encyclical 'Laudato si’, stating that humanity does not face two separate crises—one environmental and one social—but rather a single complex crisis that encompasses both.

Judge Abdelsalam also highlighted the pioneering initiatives undertaken by the Muslim Council of Elders to activate the role of religious leaders in global climate action. Among these initiatives was the convening of the Global Faith Leaders Summit for Climate, which led to the release of the “Call of Conscience: Abu Dhabi Joint Statement for Climate,” which was signed by 30 religious leaders. The statement called on policymakers to take decisive and practical steps to address the climate crisis. Furthermore, the Muslim Council of Elders, for the first time in COP history, established the "Faith Pavilion" at COP28, which served as a global platform for religious leaders to discuss and shape a common vision for international responses to urgent environmental challenges. The Faith Pavilion was a powerful demonstration of the ability of diverse religious and spiritual communities to unite around shared values of environmental stewardship, compassion, and justice, transcending borders, cultures, and ideologies, and motivating people to take meaningful action in addressing the climate crisis.

Judge Abdelsalam concluded his remarks by expressing his gratitude to the Republic of Azerbaijan and President Ilham Aliyev for their commitment to including religious leaders and amplifying their voices in addressing climate challenges during COP29. He also highlighted the upcoming Global Faith Leaders Summit in Baku on November 5-6, followed by the launch of the “Faith Pavilion” in the Blue Zone at COP29, organized by the Muslim Council of Elders in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the COP29 Presidency.