My First Experience as an Ethiopian Youth Delegate at COP28

As a sustainability advocate, my overall understanding of COP (Conference of the Parties) has always been somewhat skeptical. The repetitive nature of these annual climate negotiations often left me feeling disheartened and questioning their effectiveness. However, when a negotiation mentorship opportunity organized by The Youth Print presented itself, my curiosity eventually took over and so I joined the first cohort.?

A few weeks into the mentorship process led by Binyam Yakob Gebreyes and Yared Abera Deme , my fellow mentees and I were already going through the different thematic areas of the COP in preparation for the upcoming COP28. By then, it was evident that experiencing this process firsthand and assessing its potential for positive change was crucial in determining if it was something that I see myself contributing to. Without any funding prospects, I embarked on the task of planning my two weeks at COP28 in Dubai, UAE. In addition to the logistical challenges, navigating the United Nations Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) website to select and organize my thematic agendas and daily schedule proved to be equally daunting.

First Impression

Upon arriving at the Dubai Expo City, the venue for COP28, I was immediately impressed by the seamless admission process. The line of participants seemed never-ending, yet the organizers efficiently managed the influx of attendees. As I waited to collect my badge, free metro card, and water bottle, I couldn't help but notice the remarkable diversity among the people standing in line. This year's conference was particularly special for Ethiopian delegates, as it marked the first time Ethiopia had its pavilion at COP. Situated in the blue zone where negotiations took place, the Green Legacy pavilion proudly showcased Ethiopia's sustainable development initiatives, culture, arts, and indigenous plants. Having coordinated our supportive role with the Ethiopian delegates from MOPD, WRI, and EPA, I eagerly made my way to my first coordination meeting.

Immersed in the negotiations: following adaptation

At COP28, my thematic area of focus was Adaptation- as defined by UNFCCC, refers to adjustments in ecological, social, or economic systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli and their effects. Under this thematic area, I closely followed three agendas. This involved actively participating in formal and informal consultations among parties and taking note of the various interventions and propositions made by individual countries or groups such as the African Group of Negotiators (AGN). Additionally, I attended coordination meetings of groups where Ethiopia holds membership, including the AGN, Least Developed Countries (LDC), and the G77+ China.

In the first week, primarily focused on technical negotiations, my days were filled with numerous meetings and consultations like the ones I have mentioned above. Initially, it felt overwhelming, as discussions often referenced past events and agreements that were not familiar - similar to being at a get-together party where everyone was discussing memories from previous gatherings that I had little clue about. However, with guidance from our mentors and fellow delegates, the statements and positions being presented gradually became clearer. At times, the argument over what seemed like minute details, such as a single comma or bracket in the text, seemed trivial in the face of the urgency I felt as an advocate. Nevertheless, I was pleasantly surprised to observe the participation of diverse women representing their countries in these technical negotiations which was more than what I expected. I admired these women who were professional, and dedicated, and their ability to gracefully navigate the immense pressure impressed me greatly.

Unfortunately, two of the agendas did not progress as expected during the first week.? However, the Global Goal for Adaptation (GGA) successfully moved forward to the second week, where the negotiations became less technical and more political in nature. While women's participation was commendable in the technical negotiations, it was disappointing to observe a drop in women’s representation in the high-level plenaries and ministerial negotiations. Nevertheless, the second week offered more opportunities for bilateral meetings involving ministerial representatives from various parties. With fewer negotiations to follow, I was able to allocate more time to explore the COP events beyond the negotiation rooms.

A world of collaboration and impact

During the first week at COP28, I had the incredible opportunity to attend a series of enlightening panel discussions held on Gender Day. These discussions emphasized the crucial role of women and gender in climate action. One notable panel, moderated by former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, featured pioneering women panelists from UN-Women, Amazon, and the Biden Administration. They boldly advocated for the inclusion of a gender lens in all aspects of our work. Following this empowering panel, a session on the intersection of women and food security took place. The key message conveyed was the importance of women being informed, persuasive, and protective of indigenous knowledge.

In my second week, I took on a more active role in organizing and participating in events. The week kicked off with a panel discussion on the Ethiopian youth's role in climate action, which was held on Youth Day at COP28. I had the privilege of being involved in multiple side events that focused on African youth climate action, adaptation, and sustainable cities. One notable event was a fireside chat that we organized at the Ethiopian pavilion.

Participating in these side events has been truly eye-opening. I have been able to delve deeper into the issues that I am passionate about and have also had the opportunity to engage in meaningful networking and collaboration with like-minded individuals and organizations.

In conclusion

Attending COP28 and witnessing the first global stock-take (GST) was a truly enlightening experience. It highlighted the urgent need for enhanced action and collaboration to sustain life as we know it. However, despite the increased presence of youth and indigenous delegates from around the world, their participation in the negotiations remains disappointingly low. It is crucial for the youth to not only advocate for climate action but also actively create their seat at the decision table, even if it means challenging the status quo.

Through my participation in negotiations, interactions with passionate individuals, and exploration of diverse events, I gained a profound understanding of COP's significance and its potential impact on shaping global climate policies. While the path to meaningful change may be challenging and complex, it is through our collective efforts and collaboration that we can create a sustainable and resilient future for all.

What is the COP?

The COP is the supreme decision-making body of the Convention. All States that are Parties to the Convention are represented at the COP, at which they review the implementation of the Convention and any other legal instruments that the COP adopts and take decisions necessary to promote the effective implementation of the Convention, including institutional and administrative arrangements.

Q2: How often does COP take place?

The COP meets every year unless the Parties decide otherwise. The first COP meeting was held in Berlin, Germany in March 1995.?