Emirates News Agency – Almheiri affirms UAE’s enduring support for energy transition

DUBAI, 15th January, 2023 (WAM) — Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, led the UAE delegation to the 13th edition of IRENA in Abu Dhabi under the theme ‘The World’s Energy Transition – A Global Stocktake. “.
The minister attended the opening of the conference, which highlighted the need to accelerate the pace of renewable energy development, doubling its share to two-thirds of the world’s energy by 2030 and reaching 100 percent by 2050.
During the global gathering, the minister was joined by IRENA Director General Francesco La Camera, India’s Minister of Electricity, New and Renewable Energy, HE Shri Raj Kumar Singh, at a conference press conference to deliver the annual ‘State of the Energy Transition’ globally , also combining two main narratives: building a bridge from COP27 to COP28, and contributing to a global inventory of the world’s energy transition.
Almheiri highlighted the country’s efforts on sustainable development, climate action and food security, and explored cooperation with other countries in the run-up to the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), which the UAE will host in late 2023. New synergies in one area.
She said: “At COP28, our aim is to transform and urgently accelerate climate action to meet the commitments the world has made. To facilitate this progress, we must ensure better, more efficient and equitable access to climate finance. Government , international financial institutions and private finance will all play a key role.”
“As the host country and member of IRENA and the chair of COP28, the UAE supports the renewable energy-centric energy transition path stipulated in the IRENA World Energy Transition Outlook and considers it an important contributing factor to the process of the COP28 conference. Prioritizing the needs of the world’s most vulnerable communities, including working with IRENA to advance loss and damage funding arrangements,” the minister said.
She added: “The UAE believes that innovation is key to tackling climate change and has devised groundbreaking solutions that can rapidly accelerate global climate action. At COP28 the UAE is focused on delivering concrete and pragmatic solutions to ensure that 1.5°C remains And within reach. It will take a global effort to cut global emissions by 43% by 2030.”
During the 13th IRENA Congress, Almheiri held several bilateral meetings with senior officials. She began by highlighting the UAE’s record on reducing emissions, its global leadership in clean and renewable energy, and mobilizing efforts with UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Damilola Ogunbiyi, to bring climate Actions translate into opportunities for economic development and diversification. Achim Steiner, CEO of Sustainable Energy for All and Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme.
The ministers discussed the UAE’s strategic goals to address climate change by promoting renewable energy joint global efforts, as well as ways to strengthen bilateral relations and expand areas of cooperation, as well as the UAE’s preparations for hosting COP28 with Colombian Minister His Excellency Dr. Irene Valez Energy and German State Secretary Stefan Wenzel.
She also spoke with Teresa Ribera, Vice President of the Spanish Government and Minister of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenges, about the two countries’ shared commitment to environmental protection, and discussed strengthening cooperation with Rt Hon Grant Shapps, United Kingdom Business, Energy and Minister of Industrial Strategy, and the UAE’s preparations to host COP28.
During a meeting with Philippe Henry, Vice President and Minister of Climate, Energy, Transport and Infrastructure of the Walloon Government of Belgium, the minister discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and expand areas of cooperation in the fields of environment and renewable energy.
The 13th session of the IRENA Congress will be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE on January 14-15, 2023, with the theme “World Energy Transition – A Global Stocktake”. The IRENA Congress brings together Heads of State/Government, ministers and energy policymakers from member and acceding countries, as well as multilateral organisations, global stakeholders and private Actions for the energy transition in the region and the world.