GORD brings COP29 participation to a close, securing strategic partnerships and launching innovative initiatives.

The Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD) has concluded its successful participation at the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29) held in Baku, Azerbaijan. A delegation of 18 senior representatives from GORD’s centers of excellence and its affiliate, the Global Carbon Council (GCC), participated in the event, contributing to critical discussions on climate change solutions. GORD’s pavilion, located in the prestigious Blue Zone of COP29, became a hub for technical sessions, with leading climate experts from across the globe engaging in panel discussions on innovative solutions for climate action.

A key highlight of GORD’s participation was the signing of several strategic agreements with governments, UN agencies, and international organizations. Notable collaborations included partnerships with the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock in Burundi, the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), the Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE), and the Joint Meeting Industry Council (JMIC).

Reflecting on the organization’s impactful participation, Dr. Yousef Alhorr, Founding Chairman of GORD and GCC, stated, “Our participation in COP29 has concluded a milestone year in advancing our global climate initiatives. We are proud to have secured strategic partnerships with key governments and international organizations, which will drive forward transformative climate action that we are sincerely committed to. At COP29, our pavilion served not only as a platform for showcasing GORD and GCC’s innovative solutions but also as a dynamic space that was leveraged by climate activists and thought leaders from around the world. It truly was a hub for collaboration, dialogue, and the sharing of ideas to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future."

At COP29, the Global Carbon Council (GCC) unveiled its enhanced platform, GCC 2.0, which offers advanced digital monitoring, reporting, and verification frameworks designed to improve efficiency and scalability in carbon markets. This upgraded platform will support global climate challenges by streamlining the verification process and boosting the reliability expected by stakeholders. Additionally, new GCC methodologies for the energy, water, and building sectors were introduced, including frameworks for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Nature-based Solutions (NbS). These methodologies aim to incentivize the development of CCS and NbS projects, driving investment through the issuance of high-quality carbon credits.

During the two weeks of COP, GCC representatives led discussions on topics such as the role of Contribution Credits and Scope 3 emissions mitigation in global climate strategies, the operationalization of Article 6.2, and the financing of energy transitions for coal phase-out. Further advancing its role in the carbon market, GCC also focused on National Registry Solutions and the creation of interoperable platforms to streamline participation in compliance markets. A dedicated session emphasized the importance of an interoperable Carbon Registry for the operationalization of Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement.

In collaboration with UNOSSC, GORD hosted a session focused on accelerating South-South and Triangular Cooperation through collaborative innovation, with an emphasis on building portfolios of new climate solutions. Another key session featured the Green Events Tool (GET), developed by UNFCCC, UNEP, and GORD, highlighting the Net Zero Carbon Events (NZCE) Initiative and its role in promoting sustainability and net-zero emissions in the events industry.

GORD's engagements also emphasized the sustainable development of the MENA region, with a particular focus on energy transition and enhancing the energy performance of buildings. To this end, a joint session with RCREEE explored the development and implementation of standards to improve energy efficiency across the region, as well as initiatives for certification and labeling to promote sustainability and reduce carbon emissions.

Marking its first anniversary, GORD’s Climate Action Center of Excellence (CACE) launched the “Faces of Changes" global campaign, which seeks to spotlight inspiring individuals and organizations making significant contributions to the fight against climate change. In collaboration with Emsurge, CACE launched an OTC trading platform for carbon, biodiversity, and renewable energy certificates. Additionally, the CACE Article 6 Readiness Tracker was introduced, providing critical insights into the readiness of 136 developing countries for cooperation under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

Apart from joint events, GORD’s pavilion hosted various side events led by climate activists and youth leaders from the Middle East and beyond. In addition to the sessions and initiative launches, GORD and GCC representatives were actively engaged in high-level meetings with governments and organizations, contributing to climate dialogues and fostering future collaborations aimed at driving the transformation to a low-carbon future.