UAE and Committee for Human Fraternity sign MoU ahead of COP28

By Vatican News staff writer

As the United Arab Emirates (UAE) prepare to host the 28th UN climate change summit in Dubai, in December 2023, the Secretary-General of the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity (HCHF), Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, and the Director-General of COP28, Majid Al Suwaidi, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the goal of establishing a partnership to promote interfaith dialogue, engagement, and climate action within the framework of COP28 UAE”.

The announcement was made in a tweet posted on August 1, 2023on the official account of #COP28UAE.

The Higher Committee for Human Fraternity

The Higher Committee for Human Fraternity was established on 20 August 2019, following the joint signing in Abu Dhabi of the historic Document on Human Fraternity by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad al-Tayyib, and Pope Francis on 4 February that year, during his visit to the UAE.  

The Committee is composed of Christian, Muslim and Jewish members, including Vatican officials.

Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam  who is also Secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Elders and Co-President of Religions for Peace,  spearheaded the 2020 UN resolution declaring 4 February as the International Day of Human Fraternity. 

He is the first Arab Muslim to receive the medal of Commander with a Star from the Pope  in recognition of his efforts to promote interreligious dialogue and tolerance.

The 2023 UN Climate Change Conference will convene from 30 November to 12 December 2023, and follows the COP27 in Glasgow, Scotland in 2022.