Ahead of COP28, India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called for concrete action on climate funding and transfer of technology at the upcoming global climate summit. The minister made the comment in a virtual session at the inaugural event of India Global Forum Middle East and Africa 2023 (IGF ME&A) in Dubai on Monday. “India will certainly be pushing forward to showcase what it has achieved with its own funds,” she said. “The Paris commitment given by us have been funded by us. We didn't wait for the hundred billion that is never on the table. A lot of talk, but no money coming on the table; No pathways to show how technology is going to be transferred.” Demanding action instead of words, the minister added, “Particularly for developing and emerging market economies, funding this is going to be a huge challenge. So, I would think the conversations can happen, a lot of talk can happen but eventually COP28 should show the direction, both for transfer of technology and for the actual funding.” While she admitted that there would be challenges, Sitharaman said that the current geopolitical tensions in the Middle East would not affect the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Corridor that was announced during the G20 Summit in September. “It is a vision and a vision for long-term considerations and it is going to be a long-term project. It's not just going to depend on one or the other major event pertaining to the area. It is going to be pursued because India has a very good relationship with each of the Middle East countries. “So, IMEEC, or the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor is not going to be dependent on one or the other major event of concern, but it is something on which the vision drives the implementation in the long run. So, it's going to face challenges all right, but it has got its own strengths, and countries that are directly or indirectly in connection with this project are absolutely clear that this, through India, is going to be critical for global trade, global partnerships and also making sure that this corridor will benefit each one of these countries.” Under the theme Unleashing Ambitions’ IGF ME&A convenes business leaders, policymakers, and thought leaders from India, the Middle East, and Africa to discuss opportunities for further collaboration and growth between these regions through a series of exclusive networking opportunities, panel discussions, and keynote speeches, covering a range of topics including trade, investment, innovation, technology, and sustainability.