GEMS students spotlight sustainability and SDGs at ‘GEMS Road to COP28 Conference’

Student-led conference draws 250+ students to discuss the COP28 Agenda

More than 250 students from 35 GEMS Education schools across the UAE gathered at GEMS Founders School – Dubai (GFS) on 4 November 2023 to take part in the GEMS Road to COP28 Conference. The full-day event, led entirely by students, acted as a platform for debates, interactive sessions, and an immersive COP simulation, all centred around the COP28 agenda.

• 250+ pupils from across GEMS’ UAE network participated in full-day student-led event
• Conference saw students engage in MUN-style debates based on COP28’s themes
• Resolutions drafted by pupils during event to be presented to delegates at COP28

With a focus on nurturing an understanding of green entrepreneurship, the conference activities were aligned to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To provide a comprehensive experience to students, a total of seven committees were created based on the seven themes of the conference, including Health and Peace, Nature and Oceans, Food and Water Systems, Energy Transition and Industry Trade, Youth and Education, Finance and Gender Equality, Urbanisation, and Transport.

“The GEMS Road to COP28 Conference empowers our students with the knowledge and skills required to actively engage in the global decisions made on environmental issues. It provides a platform for our students to explore the intersection of entrepreneurship and the environment, fostering leadership and creating valuable learning experiences.”

Aliza Siddiqui – 14-year-old GFS Student, Founder and Lead Organiser of the Conference

The GEMS Founders cluster of schools played a pivotal role in steering the committee sessions, educating students on their chosen themes, and facilitating the creation of impactful resolution papers, which were instrumental in driving the event’s success.

The conference featured two main zones. The Green Economy & School Showcase saw companies including Jacobs, Choithrams, and Menorah as well as 21 schools presenting their SDG-focused solutions. Projects ranged from laptop-charging bicycles to solar-panelled water dispensers for schools.

The ‘THIMUN Style MUN’ component of the event, meanwhile, mirrored the COP28 themes, with passionate student committees debating the topics and crafting impactful resolutions. These resolutions drafted during the event are to be presented to delegates at COP28.