UAE, UN stress intensifying joint efforts to tackle global challenges

Abu Dhabi / WAM

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has received the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is currently visiting the UAE for the Abu Dhabi Climate Meeting that kicked-off on Sunday.
More than 1,000 world-renowned political figures and climate action experts are attending the Abu Dhabi Climate Meeting
HH Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, and HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, were present during the meeting with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Secretary-General Guterres.
His Highness welcomed the UN Secretary-General, wishing him success during the Abu Dhabi Climate Meeting proceedings and global efforts to address the impact of climate change.
The two sides discussed means of developing cooperation between the UAE and the UN across its various agencies and programmes, mainly focusing on humanitarian relief, development, and environmental sustainability.
Sheikh Mohamed and Guterres also exchanged views on regional and international issues and developments of common concern. They also emphasised the importance of intensifying joint efforts to address underlying and pressing global challenges.
The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and UN Secretary-General highlighted the importance of events like the Abu Dhabi Climate Meeting, which is hosted by the UAE in collaboration with the United Nations. The high-level meeting serves as a precursor to the UN Climate Action Summit in New York in September 2019 and aims to outline the agenda and draft resolutions to be tabled at the Summit.
During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan noted the UAE’s role in supporting global efforts to reduce the impact of climate change and achieve an integrated
system for environmental sustainability.
For his part, Guterres praised the UAE’s hosting of the Abu Dhabi Climate Meeting in preparation for the upcoming Summit in New York, while noting the UAE’s continued support of the UN and international bodies undertaking ambitious measures to address the consequences of climate change.
Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court, also attended the meeting, along with the delegation accompanying the UN Secretary-General.

Climate change knows no borders, and neither should we: Al Zeyoudi

Abu Dhabi / WAM

The Abu Dhabi Climate Meeting opened on Sunday in the presence of HH Lt. Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. The event has drawn the participation of more than 2,000 delegates from around the world.
Serving as the precursor to the UN Climate Action Summit in New York that will take place in September 2019, the meeting commenced with regional and international experts stating the case for multilateral action as the only way humanity will overcome climate change – the greatest threat facing the world at present. As the speakers took the stage in the UAE capital, the consensus was: Either we
act now, together, or we fail to preserve our planet.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said, “This meeting is the point at which the public and private sectors, ministers, and the UN leadership can once again raise our level of ambition. We must leave Abu Dhabi with a set of winning outcomes that inspire people around the globe. But I also believe we have a clear opportunity to embark on a new era of economic growth, spurred by global collaborative investment in climate action. For so long, climate action has been seen as a challenge. We should be positive and consider the opportunities that lie ahead. Remember, climate change knows no borders, and neither should we.”
“2019 is the year to focus on the economic opportunities of climate action, to show that climate action will create jobs and new industries, and to improve the health of our most vulnerable people,” he added.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi announced a commitment to a new 2GW solar project in Al Dhafra region in Abu Dhabi that will eclipse the record-breaking 1GW Noor Abu Dhabi Plant.
Following Dr. Al Zeyoudi’s address, Guterres stated, “I thank the UAE for hosting this important meeting. We are here today because the world is facing a great climate emergency. Climate change is happening now, and it is progressing faster than we predicted. Only last week, we saw reports that the Himalayan glaciers are melting at double the rate since the turn of the century. The situation will only get worse unless we act now with ambition and urgency.”
He added, “My message today is clear and simple: We are in the battle for our lives, but it is a battle we can win. Solar power has become the cheapest source of energy. More cities and businesses are beginning to understand that climate solutions can protect our world while strengthening our economies. Youth are making their voices heard.”
The Abu Dhabi Climate Meeting aims to review and finalise the initiatives, commitments, and achievements that will be announced at the upcoming UN Climate Action Summit, as well as to examine key opportunities and challenges related to global climate action.
Distinguished guests include Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General; Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation, WHO; Sheikh Dr. Basel bin Hamoud Al-Sabah, Minister of Health of Kuwait; Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi, UAE Minister of Infrastructure Development; Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, UAE Minister of Health and Prevention and Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs; Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development; and Shamma bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui, UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs.