UAE: Ministry leads national effort with Green Retreat ahead of COP28 – News

The event brings together national experts and strategic partners from various sectors to advance climate action in the UAE

UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment officials at the green retreat. – Wow

The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment recently hosted ministers and over 150 senior officials from 50 government and private entities at a ‘green retreat’. The collaborative event demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to address climate change and serves as a strategic precursor to the country’s highly anticipated Conference of the Parties (COP28) later this year.

The Green Retreat was held at Dubai Expo City on the theme ‘Uniting Against Climate Change’. The campaign draws on the collective strength of various stakeholders, building on their achievements in national climate change action, environmental protection and sustainable development promotion. By fostering innovative ideas and projects, the retreat fostered a collaborative approach to showcase the UAE’s most impactful initiatives ahead of COP28, which takes place in Dubai from 30 November to 12 December.

The Green Retreat was attended by Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and CEO of the United Arab Emirates Independent Climate Change Accelerator (UICCA); Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment; Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy; Energy and Infrastructure Minister Suhail Mohammed Al Mazrouei; AS Dr Ahmad Abdullah Humaid Abdullah Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education; and Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture and Youth.

Green Retreat attracted a diverse and influential audience, including senior officials from relevant federal and local government ministries and agencies, accelerator representatives, government media offices across the seven emirates, key private sector companies, and a host of prominent business leaders.

Under the direction of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment will lead the coordination of all government and private sector collaborative efforts for the highly anticipated Institutions preparing for the COP28 summit.

Mariam Almheiri highlighted Green Retreat’s ambitious mission to bring together national experts and strategic partners from various sectors to advance climate action in the UAE. The goal is to present a model during COP28 UAE that reflects the country’s conditions and climate efforts, and strengthen the country’s role in delivering innovative and inspiring solutions to global climate challenges, while nurturing a climate resilient world.

She said: “The UAE’s hosting of COP28 this year and its designation of 2023 as the Year of Sustainable Development is a real testament to the vision and commitment of our wise leadership to play a leading role in the fight against climate change that affects all of humanity. The President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan demonstrated the UAE’s commitment to unite global effort.

Almheiri added: “Green Retreat offers participants an invaluable opportunity to learn about the UAE’s excellent climate action record and contribute their ambitious ideas to drive the country towards tangible progress towards sustainable economic growth. Our The goal is to harness the potential of clean energy by developing a comprehensive climate action plan involving all government and private agencies that will create significant opportunities for economic growth and diversification, create jobs for youth, foster inclusive and cohesive communities, Protect natural habitats and protect the environment.”

Almheiri highlighted the daunting climate challenges the world faces, such as increasing food waste, carbon emissions, waste management issues, biodiversity loss, and looming threats to living organisms. She emphasized the urgent need for the world to take swift action to promote sustainable development in all sectors to ensure a better future for future generations.

Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri said: “Considering the importance of this important issue and its direct impact on the integrated development process at the national and global levels, it is a national priority to coordinate all government efforts in the country in preparation for hosting COP28. This is in view of the This is especially true today as the world faces unprecedented challenges due to climate change, which will continue to keep this issue high on the agenda of global dialogue for years to come.”

He added, “As the world requires collective and swift action to combat climate change, developing a new economic model that can meet its challenges is an integral part of these efforts. Under its wise leadership, the UAE has both Political will and resources to invest in a green transition and sustainable development. The country has taken this approach early, reflected in its strategic initiative to become climate neutral by 2050.

Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi said: “As the UAE prepares to host COP28 this year, Green Retreat provides an ideal platform to coordinate public and private sector climate efforts. Entities are coming together to preview their many cutting-edge initiatives and solutions to climate change and learn about the country’s achievements in this area. The retreat inspired them to develop further ideas that could help further cement the UAE’s position as a global hub for the fight against climate change today and in the future.

Green Retreat has seven thematic committees that discuss key topics across the sustainability value chain. These include water resource management and conservation; biodiversity and blue carbon ecosystem protection; private sector engagement and industrial transformation; waste management and circular economy; sustainable transport; renewable energy and energy efficiency; sustainable agriculture and food security.

The committees consisted of experts from federal and local government entities, as well as the private sector, who discussed a variety of ideas and challenges related to each topic. They present solutions in the form of initiatives and projects implemented by individual entities or through coordinated efforts.

Each committee came up with 8 to 10 project and initiative ideas in support of their respective theme. The most viable and impactful ideas were selected as part of an initial plan for national climate activities by January 2024. Representatives from the government media office also discussed ideas that could be added to the national climate action agenda.