The Muslim Council of Elders participated in a meeting as part of the 60th session of the Bonn Climate Conference (SB 60). The meeting discussed the role of religious institutions in promoting global climate action, alongside the UNFCCC Secretariat, the Interfaith Liaison Committee (ILC), representatives from the COP28 and COP29 Presidencies, and other faith-based organizations.
The meeting, held at the headquarters of the UNFCCC Secretariat in Bonn, Germany, aimed to strategize on how religious institutions can continue to engage and support countries to achieve the highest ambitions in climate action, contributing to the realization of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by 2025.
During the meeting, the Muslim Council of Elders team highlighted the influential role of religious institutions and communities through their moral authority, extensive networks, and commitment to social justice. They also emphasized the necessity of leveraging this role to enhance decisive climate actions and NDCs in the coming years. Participants also noted the importance of constructive collaboration among representatives of religious communities and the urgent need to establish a unified framework to address climate challenges.
The Muslim Council of Elders has dedicated significant efforts to activating the role of religious leaders and figures in addressing climate change. Notably, the Council organized the Global Faith Leaders Summit for Climate, which culminated in the publishing of the "Abu Dhabi Joint Declaration for Climate," which was co-signed by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and His Holiness Pope Francis of the Catholic Church, alongside 28 other religious leaders. Additionally, the Council organized the first-ever Faith Pavilion in the history of COP conferences at COP28, providing a global platform that brought together religious leaders, environmental experts, academics, and representatives of youth, women, and indigenous peoples to explore the best ways to preserve planet Earth and protect its natural resources.
