FIRST Minister Humza Yousaf has joined global leaders to set out Scotland's ambitions and objectives for COP28 at an opening of a university science campus in Dubai.
Yousaf attended the official opening of the new Heriot-Watt Dubai Campus alongside King Charles to showcase Scotland's "influential higher education sector". Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron also attended with the UK Government sponsoring a Cleantech exhibition at the summit.
Yousaf and the King spoke to engineers and students at the new Dubai campus of Heriot-Watt University, based in Edinburgh, and were shown a host of technologies designed to combat climate change.
The First Minister said the campus helped showcase the leading role Scotland is playing in finding solutions for the biggest challenges facing the planet.
Yousaf also met with Global South partners and youth activists to discuss priorities for COP28.
Yousaf said: “I am proud of Scotland’s leadership in advocating for climate justice and progressing a just transition to net zero, so it is fitting the official opening of Heriot-Watt University Campus in Dubai takes place on the first day of the world’s largest global climate conference.
"This new campus will play a leading role in demonstrating the skills and ideas we have in Scotland to help find solutions for the biggest challenges facing the planet.
“The ambitions, enthusiasm and dedication of young people around the world are crucial in tackling climate change and advocating for climate action. Globally we need to harness this energy and ensure we are using our collective talent, innovation, and enthusiasm to contribute to finding the solutions that will deliver a net zero future.
“The Scottish Government will continue to call for loss and damage funding that prioritises the needs of vulnerable communities and take a lead on addressing the biodiversity and the climate crisis. I am confident these shared ambitions will be keenly felt by those who attend this vital climate summit, and at home.”
Heriot-Watt University opened its Dubai campus in 2005 at the Dubai International Academic City.
The new campus aims to offer students the opportunity to focus on key areas including "industrial decarbonisation and energy transition which are key to delivering a just transition to net zero".
