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The second annual Climate Change Research Network (CCRN) conference focused on the UAE’s commitment to climate action and sustainability, as well as creating a space for academics, researchers and non-state actors to interact.
Held at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) on 25-26 May, the conference took place in the context of the UAE Year of Sustainable Development and as part of the country’s preparations to host the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) . It helps strengthen the UAE’s wider commitment to the global sustainable development agenda and climate action. Collectively, these initiatives highlight the country’s tireless efforts to create a sustainable and resilient environment for its people and actively contribute to international efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change.
High-level participants included Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and CEO of the United Arab Emirates Independent Climate Change Accelerator (UICCA), Mariet Westermann, Vice-Chancellor of NYU Abu Dhabi, and representatives of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), UNFCCC and Global Adaptation Center. The King Abdullah Petroleum Research Center (KAPSARC) was also represented at the meeting.
lasting impact
Sheikha Shamma commented: “Events such as the UAE Climate Change Research Network conference demonstrate the value of engagement, action and education when we work together to create lasting impact. Furthermore, it demonstrates the incredible potential of the human spirit to play our own part Individual passions and expertise, and the potential of what happens when we direct those efforts towards a shared goal. These contributions are admirable and a statement of commitment and responsibility for a sustainable future made by those here today.”
In a recorded keynote address to attendees, Mariam Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, emphasized the key role of the conference in fostering a collaborative environment and emphasized the importance of science and innovation in addressing the immediate threat of climate change.
Almheiri said: “The Climate Change Research Network’s core mission is to advance research and innovation in climate science. Our scientists and researchers are doing excellent work and making a significant contribution to global climate action. We are committed to bridging knowledge gaps and fostering collaboration , and empower policymakers and communities to access scientific breakthroughs.”
Professional Cluster
The CCRN conference revolves around five professional clusters: climate data and modeling, climate change and infrastructure, climate change and land, marine and freshwater ecosystems, climate change and public health, and climate change and food and water security.
A major development is the launch of two new CCRN divisions: the Youth Division and the Advisory Council. The Youth Section provides a platform for youth to engage with and support various climate research efforts, while the Advisory Board provides a more complex professional perspective on climate work being explored as part of an adaptive exercise. These efforts aim to expand research, inspire younger generations to contribute to climate change solutions, and shape policy based on leading scientific insights.
The meeting was also an opportunity to reflect on the UAE’s progress on climate action, such as becoming the first Middle Eastern country to sign the Paris Agreement and provide Nationally Determined Contributions and Adaptation (NDCA).
ambitious goals
As part of this commitment, the UAE has set an ambitious target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 23.5% to 31% by 2030 under a business-as-usual scenario. These actions underscore the country’s commitment to curbing global warming and creating a sustainable future for its people and planet.
In addition to its commitment to fostering a vibrant academic and research community in the UAE, MOCCAE is poised to showcase its efforts in global climate action and sustainable development. The UAE will host the 28th United Nations Conference of the Parties to Climate Change (COP28) later this year, an event expected to bring together 80,000 delegates from around the world, including 140 heads of state and government, to discuss the path to a sustainable future. the way.
Almheiri said: “As we prepare to host the COP28 international community conference in Dubai Expo City later this year, our focus remains on promoting global climate action – and ensuring that everyone participates in COP and leaves no one behind. Our purpose is to demonstrate our progress in addressing the impacts of climate change across the value chain, from food systems to clean energy and biodiversity.
Galvanizing effect
“Furthermore, we seek to inspire further action globally, as no country can tackle climate change in isolation. It is a collective responsibility that binds us together as individuals and as members of the international community.”
The second annual CCRN conference, the upcoming COP28 and the Year of Sustainable Development are all part of the UAE’s wider commitment to the global sustainable development and climate action agenda. Together, these initiatives underscore the country’s commitment to creating a sustainable and resilient environment for its people and effectively contribute to international efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change. — trade arab news agency
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