Sharjah 24 – WAM: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Chairman of the Higher Committee Responsible for Overseeing Preparations for the 28th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28), has emphasised the priorities of the UAE at COP27, to be held in Egypt.

Priorities include addressing the impacts of climate change; ensuring a practical and realistic transition in the energy sector; support to economic growth; and enhancing access to technology.

The remarks were made when Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed presided over the 5th meeting of the Committee, which was held days before COP27 is set to begin in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. COP27 runs from 6th to 18th November and will be attended by Heads of State and Government, government officials, business leaders, and members of civil society organisations. The summit will focus on concrete options to accelerate climate action.

Sheikh Abdullah indicated that the UAE delegation would focus on supporting the Egyptian Presidency of COP27 and cooperating closely with it, primarily since the success of the conference supports the achievement of climate goals. He also stressed the UAE's commitment to linking results and outcomes between COP27 and COP28.

Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Deputy Chairman of the Committee, said, “In line with the wise leadership’s directive that the UAE’s participation at COP27 be distinct and effective, the event will provide an important opportunity to demonstrate support for the efforts of the brotherly Arab Republic of Egypt and the multilateral system. The UAE delegation to COP27 includes representatives of government and private sector institutions, civil society organisations, women, and youth, which confirms the country’s comprehensive, ambitious, and realistic approach in the field of climate action.”

The committee reaffirmed the UAE’s call for climate action that enhances sustainable economic and social growth. Due to the close links between climate change adaptation, mitigation and financing, the UAE focuses on climate action that creates opportunities for economic growth, which would contribute towards providing more job opportunities and support for new sectors.

During the event, the UAE will emphasise its commitment to address climate impacts, which has been raised as a critical concern for countries in the Southern Hemisphere.

This commitment reflects the reality that climate impacts are having a disproportionate impact on developing and least-developed countries. For this reason, the UAE supports comprehensive climate action and enhanced ambition to enable societies to adapt.

As part of its prioritisation of economic growth, energy security and climate action, the UAE will also focus on the need to facilitate access to appropriate technologies. This is seen as fundamental to enabling countries to adapt to, and mitigate, climate change.

In this context, the country seeks to expand climate partnerships such as the “Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate'', an initiative begun with the United States and focused on enhancing access to technology.

The Higher Committee Responsible for Overseeing Preparations for COP28 is responsible for managing preparations for COP27, as well as managing the strategy of the COP28 climate summit, to be held in Expo City Dubai in November 2023.

The committee members include Mohamed Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs; Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment; Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade; Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Youth Affairs; Muhammad Abdullah Al Junaibi, Chairman of the Federal Authority for Protocols and Strategic Narratives; Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police; Major General Talal Hamid Belhoul Al Falasi, Director-General of the State Security Department in Dubai; Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Commander-in-Chief of the Abu Dhabi Police; Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA); Rashid Saeed Al Ameri, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Presidential Court; Rashid Saeed Al Amiri, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Presidential Court; Major General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaili, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Interior; Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, and Dr. Jamal Al Hosani, Representing the Supreme Council for National Security.