Dubai, The United Arab Emirates and the Federative Republic of Brazil joined forces to establish the Group of Friends of Culture-based Climate Action (GFCBCA) within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
This global alliance comprises UN member states dedicated to rallying political support for the recognition of culture as a cornerstone for driving positive transformations in climate policies.
The group’s inception coincided with the commencement of the Conference of the Parties (COP28). Spearheaded by the UAE and Brazil, this alliance seeks to foster climate action anchored in culture, develop initiatives, solutions, and collaborative partnerships that advance the integration of culture into climate endeavours. It also aims to create a platform for all nations and communities, regardless of their cultural backgrounds or perspectives, to exchange knowledge, experiences, and best practices.
As the host nations of COP28 and COP30 respectively, the UAE and Brazil recognise the completion of the first global assessment of progress towards the Paris Agreement’s objectives as a momentous occasion. They seek to affirm the value of culture-based solutions in addressing environmental challenges. This is achieved by providing a unified voice championing cultural considerations in climate dialogues, encouraging behavioural changes to adapt to climate change impacts, and leveraging traditional knowledge to devise practical solutions.