Abu Dhabi, UAE – His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), emphasized the close link between sustainable economic development and climate action during a virtual meeting of the Major Economies Forum (MEF) on Energy and Climate Change hosted by US President Joe Biden. His Highness highlighted that the UAE has placed climate action at the core of its strategy and is committed to achieving sustainable economic and social growth while fulfilling its responsibility towards the environment and future generations.
The UAE was invited to participate in the MEF in light of its upcoming role as the host of COP28, the twenty-eighth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. In his remarks during the forum, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan stated that the UAE was the first Gulf country to ratify the Paris Agreement and commit to reducing emissions in all economic sectors by 2030. The UAE has also announced a strategic initiative to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and has invested over US$150 billion in climate action, with ambitious plans for further investments in the future.
His Highness affirmed that the COP28 UAE Presidency will be committed to achieving transformative climate action, moving from deliberation to action, and delivering a comprehensive action plan for the benefit of all people and the planet. He stressed the essential link between energy and climate change and called for an acceleration in the global transition to renewable energy production, including increasing renewable energy capacity by at least three times and doubling hydrogen production. His Highness also emphasized the need for enhanced international cooperation in technology transfer and financing to support the energy transition, particularly in the Global South and vulnerable communities affected by climate change.
Highlighting the importance of developed countries fulfilling their pledge to provide US$100 billion to developing countries, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasized the need to reform international financial institutions and secure necessary financing to support climate action. He stated that while the risk of climate change has intensified, there is still a chance to prevent its dire consequences with immediate and collective global action. The UAE President expressed his confidence and optimism that the world will respond positively to the UAE’s invitation to join its efforts and initiatives aimed at achieving significant advancement in climate action.
The MEF meeting was attended by global leaders and heads of government from major economies, including Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States of America, Alberto Fernandez, President of the Argentine Republic, Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Charles Michel, President of the European Council, Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia, and many others.
The UAE has a proven track record of proactive climate action, diplomacy, and multilateral cooperation. The country has emerged as a regional leader in investing in clean and renewable energy projects, domestically and globally, operating three of the largest and most cost-effective solar plants in the world, as well as being a regional leader in the use of nuclear power. With its commitment to sustainable economic development and climate action, the UAE is poised to play a significant role in driving global efforts towards addressing climate change and building a more sustainable future for all.
, emphasized the close link between sustainable economic development and climate action during a virtual meeting of the Major Economies Forum (MEF) on Energy and Climate Change hosted by US President Joe Biden.){kind=link}