Dubai – WAM

Ahead of the start of the COP28 Conference of Parties in the Emirates next Thursday, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has organized the eighth council in the “COP28 Change Makers Council” initiative.

Held at the Etihad Museum in Dubai, the council focused on “strengthening the UAE’s climate narrative” in an effort to build the country’s strong sustainability foundation and accelerate its path towards a more sustainable future.

The council was chaired by Mariam bint Mohammed Al Muhairi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment and moderated by Hajar Al Khedbi, Director of the Ministry’s Government Communications Department.

Abdullah Ahmad Al Saleh, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Economy, Kalban Juma Belhole, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, representatives of media offices in the Emirates and national media and several leaders of the Ministry were present. Climate Change and Environment, namely: Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry, Acting Engineer Atiba Al-Qaidi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Sustainable Communities Department, and Sheikha Al Ali, Acting Undersecretary for Regional Affairs.

During her speech, Maryam Al Muhairi said: “COP28 is focused on action and will provide an opportunity to bring about real, concrete change that can only be achieved through greater cooperation and concerted efforts. The UAE Climate Neutrality Strategy 2050 sets the course for our journey towards achieving our climate neutrality goals and setting a precedent for other countries in this sector. This strategy will add further momentum to climate narrative and the work begun decades ago by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The strategy serves as an engine for economic and social progress by reducing carbon emissions and contributes to efforts to mitigate the effects of global climate change.

The minister emphasized that the UAE is adopting a vision that supports development and adapts to and confronts climate change at the same time. In this regard, Maryam Al Muhairi said: “Our Climate Neutral Strategy 2050 is expected to provide more than 200,000 jobs and contribute 3% to the GDP, in addition to improving export opportunities and creating jobs. Solar energy, batteries and hydrogen.”

He added: “We must explore new ways of working and help each other achieve our potential. While COP28 represents an opportunity for all parties to come together and focus on the need for international cooperation, we must continue the strong momentum we have achieved domestically to build a sustainable future for the UAE.

He continued: “We must strengthen the UAE’s climate statement in line with its climate and environmental goals in the coming years. This effort must build on the progress we are making in this field and contribute to educating the public and all partners at home and abroad. What the UAE is doing is about.”

Maryam Al Muhairi stressed that cooperation and information exchange are the two main pillars to keep up-to-date with our movements to achieve sustainability in order to continuously improve the country’s climate story.

Khalban Juma Belhole explained that the world is going through major changes starting with the Covid-19 crisis and economic fluctuations and ending with the world’s geopolitical changes, stressing that climate action requires great cooperation and partnership to achieve climate goals. Future technology is the main driver of this trend.

He pointed out that in addition to technology and modern technologies, there must be innovation in policies and laws that will pave the way for the private sector to launch initiatives and projects that contribute to the achievement of the country’s climate goals. Short and long story.

He stressed the importance of providing more opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises to invest in climate and environmental technology to increase the UAE’s economic prospects in the future. The UAE has always taken encouraging steps to combat climate change. It is the first country to sign the Paris Climate Agreement, and the first country in the region to commit to reducing carbon emissions at an economic level and the first country to announce a climate neutrality goal.

During the assembly, participants heard about the country’s rich history of sustainability, its notable successes in having the largest sources of carbon-free electricity in the Arab world, and its wise leadership’s efforts to invest in the development and spread of renewable energy.

Today, the UAE has the first commercial nuclear power plant in the Arab world and the world’s largest and cheapest solar power plants.

Participants discussed their views on the fundamental elements of the UAE’s climate narrative, potential areas for improvement and the role of the private sector in spreading this narrative.

Building on the action of COP28, participants discussed elements that could strengthen the UAE’s climate profile both domestically and globally.

The Council stressed that the UAE’s Climate Narrative Journey is based on innovation and inspiring experiences and will contribute to changing the perception of people, society and partners about sustainability and how climate change affects various aspects of life. Highlighting the UAE’s renewable and clean energy projects and its role in the field of global climate action. Through foreign investments, to encourage people to have these experiences.

The Council also discussed using the UAE’s climate initiatives to give everyone confidence that the world is capable of achieving sustainability in all sectors. Highlighting sustainability and success stories in the UAE to build confidence in the country’s ability to achieve set goals. This is in addition to highlighting the UAE’s vision of sharing its expertise and experiences with the world to contribute to leading the global movement towards a sustainable future.

The Council discussed the importance of the media’s role in using the climate narrative to influence society’s behavior and change their lifestyles to facilitate government efforts in this area.
The Council also touched on the need to raise the private sector’s awareness of the UAE’s climate goals and to encourage its confidence – in cooperation with relevant authorities – to invest in relevant sectors related to achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Highlight these projects to the community to encourage others to invest in transforming energy, water, food, industry and other systems into sustainable systems.