Dubai elected as vice chair of ‘C40 Group’

Dubai / Emirates Business

Dubai has seen its efforts to combat climate change in the city richly rewarded by the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40). The governing body, which provides strategic direction for the C40 network of 91 of the world’s greatest cities committed to action on climate change, has elected His Excellency Abdullah Abdul Rahman Al Shaibani, Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai, who now takes his place on the C40’s Steering Committee. Dubai only joined the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group in 2015, and the election is an acknowledgement of the work the emirate has carried out during the past period, as it seeks to create a resilient, sustainable and low carbon environment.
Mayors serving as Vice Chairs on the C40 Steering Committee represent the geographically diverse members of the global network. As a result, Dubai who attended its first Steering committee on June 28, 2017, joins Boston, Copenhagen, Durban, Hong Kong, Jakarta, London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Milan, Paris, Seoul and Tokyo on the Committee.
Secretary General Al Shaibani – and more broadly, the city of Dubai – will now represent the South and West Asia regions. In his role as Vice Chair, His Excellency will represent the C40 members actively at international meetings as well as strategic climate forums held across West and South Asia. He will also act as a key spokesperson for the C40 network in the media, events and across C40’s own social & digital channels.
“It is an honor to be part of the C40 Steering Committee and appointed as the Vice Chair of the C40 network, which is a great testimonial on UAE and Dubai’s efforts in combating climate change,” said Abdullah Abdul Rahman Al Shaibani, Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai. “It was a pleasure to host representatives of more than 40 cities in Dubai for the C40 Adaptation Conference in January 2017, and I look forward to even more productive collaborations with cities around the world to help tackle the threat of climate change that we all face. As a new member of the Steering Committee, The Executive Council of Dubai will strive to contribute to the C40 group and, more broadly, the world’s transition to a low carbon economy. In line with the directions of our leadership, sustainability and the protection of the environment are one of the main UAE focuses and priorities. We will work alongside our federal and local partners to deliver on our ambitions.”
“This election confirms at an international level the good work that has already been carried out in the UAE and Dubai, and our commitment to climate action for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to the general well-being and health of our residents and citizens. It is our hope that the Dubai Climate Change Adaptation plan, currently in progress, will provide a clearer picture of the challenges that we face. Where Dubai Plan 2021 gives us a roadmap for the future, the adaptation plan will provide us with a framework through which we can understand the current and future challenges and the solutions that are required.”