“Lasting Legacy,” the official charity anthem of COP28, the United Nations Climate Conference hosted in the UAE, was launched and performed live for the first time during the closing session of the World Climate Action Summit in Dubai on Dec. 2.
The performance, which featured various talents and renowned artists from around the world, served as a one-of-a-kind call to action to accelerate the global response to climate change and environmental degradation.
The diverse voices and musical cultures included in the song, produced by Moroccan multi-Grammy Award winner RedOne, serve as a reminder of the strength of unity and international cooperation in the face of the climate crisis.
Underscoring an inclusive spirit, the anthem embraces the six official languages of the United Nations: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. Other languages on the anthem include Hindi, Bahasa, Vietnamese, and Portuguese. This linguistic diversity symbolizes a commitment to universal communication and understanding, essential in fostering global cooperation and unity in the fight against climate change.
Badr Jafar, COP28 special representative for business and philanthropy, and executive producer of the anthem said: “UAE’s hosting of COP28 has been an important milestone in the global effort to rally decisive action in support of our climate and nature goals. The release of this charity anthem, ‘Lasting Legacy,’ is intended to deliver a message of hope and unity in this mission, raise much-needed funds for climate adaptation for crisis-affected communities, and inspire wider engagement in the climate action agenda from people of all ages and cultures.”
RedOne added: “Music has the power to transcend boundaries, and this anthem is a beacon of hope and a reminder that together, in harmony, we can make a significant impact in the fight against climate change.”
The anthem features a great roster of musicians, each of whom has infused the song with elements from their respective languages and cultures, including: Saudi Arabia’s Dalia Mubarak; Balqees from the UAE; Gims from the Congo and France; Mo Agnez from Indonesia; India’s Anushka Sen; Arrow Bwoy from Kenya; Inna Modja from Mali; Boy Story from China; Valeriya from Russia; Van Mai Huong from Vietnam; AY Young from the US; Barbara Doza from Venezuela; Carolina Doche from the US and Brazil.
Producer Taymoor Marmarchi said: “As the global community converged for COP28, ‘Lasting Legacy’ emerged as a profound musical embodiment of this pivotal summit. The anthem reflects the UAE’s deep-rooted commitment to environmental stewardship and stands as a powerful reminder that together, we can forge a path toward a more sustainable and resilient future.”
Khaled Khalifa, UNHCR senior adviser and GCC representative, emphasized the pressing need to address the climate crisis and added: “I am grateful to the organizers and participating artists for their invaluable contributions to this initiative. I sincerely hope their work will not only spread awareness but also inspire individuals everywhere to believe in their capacity to effect positive change in the world.”
Karl Shuker, director of international philanthropy and partnerships for the MENA region at the International Rescue Committee, said: “Communities where the IRC works, those living at the sharp end of the climate crisis, need our support more than ever before. We are proud to dedicate the proceeds raised to the tangible, innovative climate adaptation solutions that the international community must rally around today to support those in need.”
‘Lasting Legacy’ is available on all streaming platforms. All proceeds from the record will support climate adaptation for vulnerable communities around the world through the work of the IRC and the UNHCR.
For further details on the COP28 charity anthem, its artists, and the initiatives it supports, please visit anthem.cop28.com
COP28 launches charity anthem featuring 13 global artists
https://arab.news/63ddu
COP28 launches charity anthem featuring 13 global artists
- Proceeds will support climate adaptation for crisis affected communities through UNHCR and IRC
Kuwait Fund for Development: Six decades of humanitarian and developmental impact across globe
On Dec. 31, the Kuwait Fund for Development marks the anniversary of its establishment, opening a new chapter of success and ambition as one of the most prominent pioneers of development on both regional and global levels. Founded in 1961, the fund became the first and oldest development institution to operate in Arab countries and other developing nations.
Today, after more than six decades of continuous work, the Kuwait Fund for Development remains steadfast in its mission and has never ceased its efforts to support development causes in developing countries. As it celebrates its 64th anniversary, the fund has drawn a national portrait under the theme “Partners in Development,” reflected through its projects spread across the globe, all of which aim to build brighter and more sustainable future.
An external development arm
The establishment of the Kuwait Fund for Development embodied a wise and visionary decision by the leadership of Kuwait at the time. Kuwait was the only developing country that chose to share the challenges of development with other developing nations, cooperating with them through the provision of concessional loans, grants, financial assistance, and technical support tailored to their development priorities.
Since its inception, the Kuwait Fund for Development has served as Kuwait’s external development arm, sparing no effort in supporting development causes and extending assistance to developing countries worldwide.
Vision and early beginnings
In the early 1960s, the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, then head of the financial department, proposed the idea of establishing a development entity that would serve Kuwait’s foreign policy and assist Arab and other developing countries in achieving development across various sectors. The idea received strong support from the late Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, as it aligned with Kuwait’s vision at the time to build a modern state.
Consequently, an Amiri decree was issued on Dec. 31, 1961, establishing the Kuwait Fund for Development with an initial capital of 50 million Kuwaiti dinars ($162.6 million).
Global reach and development impact
The fund’s activities have extended to all corners of the world, contributing to the financing of projects in 106 countries, including 16 Arab countries, 41 African countries, 19 in East and South Asia and the Pacific, 17 in Central Asia and Europe, and 12 in Latin America and the Caribbean.
This support was delivered through 1,037 concessional loans provided to the governments of these countries, with a total value of approximately 7 billion Kuwaiti dinars. In addition, the fund has provided grants and technical assistance to support a wide range of development services, helping beneficiary countries implement their development programs. A total of 420 grants and technical assistance operations were extended, amounting to approximately 401 million Kuwaiti dinars.
Loan agreements
During the past year, the Kuwait Fund for Development signed several loan agreements supporting development across different regions of the world. Among these were two loan agreements with the government of Bahrain. The first loan, valued at 31.25 million Kuwaiti dinars, contributed to financing the Electricity Transmission Networks Development Project. The second loan, valued at 10 million Kuwaiti dinars, supported the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Highway Development Project (Phase II).
On the sidelines of the World Bank Group meetings held in Washington, D.C., the fund has also signed a 4 million Kuwaiti dinar-worth loan agreement with Saint Lucia to help finance the Sir Julian R. Hunte Highway Project, as well as another 4 million Kuwaiti dinar-worth loan agreement with Belize to support the George Price Highway Project.
Supporting and assisting refugees
The Kuwait Fund for Development’s contributions to humanitarian action stand out at both regional and international levels. Since its establishment, the fund has represented a unique model in supporting and assisting refugees in countries affected by disasters, conflicts, and wars, in line with Kuwait’s moderate and balanced policy.
These efforts have helped strengthen Kuwait’s relations with Arab and international partners. The fund has played a significant role in the reconstruction of Lebanon and Iraq following periods of crisis, and its assistance to the Palestinian people has never ceased.
International Participation
Over the past year, the Kuwait Fund for Development recorded notable participations in major international forums. These included taking part in the 2025 annual meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., with a delegation headed by the fund’s Acting Director General Walid Shamlan Al-Bahar. The fund also took part in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, held in Tokyo, Japan.
Additional international engagements included participation in the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held in Awaza, Turkmenistan, and the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, organized by the UN in Seville, Spain.
