UAE National Experts Program Fellows shine at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

Among the industry professionals, experts, policymakers and leaders gathered in Abu Dhabi were three experienced Emirati graduates from the NEP. Developed under the direction of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the NEP aims to foster the development of UAE industry leaders who will help shape the country’s future, equipping them with key social and Skills for transformative impact in economic sectors and the UAE’s national priorities.

Omar Al Braiki, UAE Special Envoy on Climate Change and Head of Negotiations for NEP 2.0 Fellow, joined the UAE delegation to COP27 last November. He emphasized that ADSW is an important bridge-building event to continue the achievements of COP27 in Egypt and raise awareness on important climate change issues ahead of COP28.

He said: “[ADSW]is an important event on our calendar as we prepare for COP28, not least because it is the most important sustainable development event since Egypt hosted COP27. I was fortunate to participate in COP27, which gave me the opportunity to support climate action through global negotiations, and to support the Egyptian presidency in building consensus and advancing many priority areas, including mitigation, adaptation and means of implementation. “

He added: “The UAE delegation is supporting the ADSW team as we look to maximize this opportunity to build momentum for COP28 and learn from extensive discussions among government officials, private sector leaders and civil society to find a A practical way forward, showcasing solutions for all.”

Describing the NEP, Al Braiki, who specializes in the fields of sustainable development and renewable energy, said: “It was an invaluable program that really provided the tools I needed to move forward. The program not only broadened my knowledge and skills, And it’s also a platform that connects me with experts and influential leaders from around the world, which has played a key role in enhancing my expertise.”

Ali Al Shimmari, International Asset Manager for the GCC Region at TAQA and NEP 2.0 Fellow in the Energy and Economics Sector, provided his expertise during a panel discussion at ADSW on ‘Involving Youth in Climate Decision-Making’. As part of the TAQA delegation, he shared his experiences at COP27, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and reducing carbon emissions.

He said, “As national experts, we play a vital role as UAE ambassadors, representing our sectors and demonstrating the key role these sectors will play in boosting the UAE’s economic growth, thereby achieving the country’s goals. On behalf of TAQA I also participated in several panel discussions, including policy development with other members of the NEP community.”

While at NEP, he was mentored by Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, who was recently appointed President-designate of COP28. Dr Sultan is Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of ADNOC.

Al Shimmari said: “It was an honor to work under the guidance of Dr. Sultan. He helped me leverage and expand my network and I had the opportunity to learn personally from him on the challenges in my industry. Making decisions in critical situations. My guidance under Dr. Sultan has helped me become bolder in making decisions and leading in my field.”

He added: “[NEP] Help shape the best version of yourself. This shift is the result of a journey with NEP that has helped me shift from a competitive mindset to a collaborative one. “

Meera Al Mheiri, Senior Inspection Engineer at the Federal Nuclear Regulatory Agency and NEP 2.0 Researcher, joined Al Shimmari on a panel discussion on engaging youth in decision-making on climate change. As the first Emirati to serve as a nuclear safety inspector at the Federal Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Meera plans to use her panel discussions and presence at ADSW to inspire future generations.

She said: “The UAE government has highlighted the importance of sustainability in different sectors and has integrated sustainability into its plans, strategies, policies and programmes. When it comes to educating the youth, we need to provide them with the right knowledge and the right guidance , to continue our leadership in making strides in the fight against climate change.”

She added: “Getting them involved early on is crucial. If you are a policymaker, you need to make sure you have young people on your team so they follow in your footsteps and adopt the same way of thinking. People like ADSW Events are key to raising awareness among young people.”