Speech of His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II at the Opening of the Global Religious Leaders Summit for Climate [COP28], at the Energy Convention Center in Abu Dhabi

Below you can find the Speech delivered by His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphram II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, at the opening of the Global Religious Leaders Summit for Climate [COP28], at the Energy Convention Center in Abu Dhabi, on November 6, 2023.

Distinguished delegates, Esteemed spiritual leaders, Respected attendees,

and fellow caretakers of our Earth,

I greet you all in the name of our caring Creator of all things, visible and invisible.

As we gather here at COP28, we are all united by a pressing urgency, namely the imperative to preserve our planet, this wondrous creation that sustains and nourishes us all.

In the sacred scriptures, we are reminded of our divine duty: "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." (Genesis 2:15). This is not merely an ancient calling but a contemporary responsibility. Today, as leaders, believers, and human beings, we are entrusted with this very Earth – our shared home.

The Psalmist David said: "The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it" (Psalm 24: 1) This profound statement is not unique to Judaism or Christianity; it resonates across religions and spiritual practices worldwide. Furthermore, our Lord Jesus Christ taught us the value of every individual and the importance of love and care for our neighbors. As climate change unfolds, it is the marginalized, the impoverished, and the vulnerable who bear its heaviest brunt. Acting against this adversity is not just an

environmental imperative but a profound moral duty that resonates with the core of our Christian beliefs.

Our great saint Aphrem the Syrian eloquently said, "All creatures that are under the firmament know their Creator by the very order of creation." We must ask ourselves, as stewards of this Earth, do we recognize and honor our Creator through our actions?

As spiritual leaders, our influence reaches the hearts and souls of many. It is upon us to harness this privilege, to educate and inspire, and to lead our congregations towards a path of environmental consciousness. I urge my fellow religious leaders from all faiths: let’s unite our efforts, dialogue, and collaborate. Together, we can amplify our impact and become torchbearers of change.

With that spirit, I am honored to announce the launch of the "Sacred Earth Stewardship Initiative." This is not an endeavor confined to the Syriac Orthodox community; it is an open invitation to all religious and spiritual institutions to unite in action for the betterment of our planet.

We aim to transform our sacred spaces into beacons of sustainability. We will install solar panels on our buildings, adopt comprehensive waste management strategies, and engage in rainwater harvesting. We propose that every faith community around the globe join us in these practical steps.

Moreover, the Initiative will foster spiritual enlightenment and education, exploring how our diverse scriptures and traditions invariably call us to be protectors of the environment. We will engage our youth in ecological projects, ensuring that our faith's future is in harmony with Earth's.

Our farms and agricultural lands will be dedicated to organic and sustainable practices. We will open our grounds to farmers'

markets that prioritize local, organic produce. The bounty of Earth must be shared sustainably and equitably…

This Speech was originally published on the Facebook Page of His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II. Please click here to read the full text.