Saudi Arabia, in cooperation with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, hosted Climate Week in Riyadh from October 7-12. As part of the event, Syrian singer Asalah Nasri performed a variety of her hits at the opening ceremony, which was attended by various climate experts and policymakers from the Middle East and North Africa. During his speech at the ceremony, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman stressed the importance of reducing carbon emissions and the role that Saudi Arabia can play in this goal by capturing and storing carbon. He also announced the country's plans to launch the Middle East's first hydrogen-fueled train in the coming months. UAE Minister of Advanced Industry and Technology Sultan Al Jaber, who was appointed as COP28 president, called for a transition to a new energy system instead of rapidly abandoning existing energy sources, emphasizing the importance of adaptation to climate change. He praised Saudi Arabia's successful "Saudi Green Initiative" and "Middle East Green Initiative" as part of this effort. The event further underscored the importance for Middle East and North African countries to work together in reducing their carbon footprint and combating climate change.