As a member of the high-ranking delegation representing the UAE at the General Debate component of the 72nd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, is participating in several engagements to promote global sustainability.
Under the theme ‘Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet’, the week-long General Debate session examines eight topics within three groups – Education, Environmental Conventions and Social Development. Throughout the week, His Excellency Dr. Al Zeyoudi will meet with international counterparts and high-level officials to discuss areas of cooperation and highlight the country’s investment in global climate and environmental issues.
During the introductory Founders Group of the Climate Action Network roundtable discussions, he reiterated that national governments cannot act alone and must find creative ways to engage individuals and organizations in delivering on the goals of the Paris Agreement. He noted that governments must leverage Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) as a tool in creating pathways for the involvement of businesses and other stakeholders.
His Excellency Dr. Al Zeyoudi said: “NDCs could boost the number of jobs created as a result of climate action, increase the overall impact on national GDP, and introduce mechanisms to incentivize investment in low-carbon projects and technologies. They could also enhance existing partnerships and encourage the formation of new ones, thereby unlocking new capital.”
He added: “Currently, most of our NDCs focus on three elements: mitigation, adaptation and capacity-building. Through promoting the economic benefits of NDCs and making them relevant to investors and the wider public, we can make the business case for climate action, create a powerful tool to drive investment and bring in economic returns as well.”
Highlighting the UAE’s contributions to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), His Excellency Dr. Al Zeyoudi noted that the UAE has completed its first National Climate Change Plan that includes engaging businesses and other non-government entities in climate and environment policy-making as well as fostering innovation and technological advancements among its objectives.
During the World Economic Forum Sustainable Development Impact Summit on the sidelines of UNGA 72, His Excellency Dr. Al Zeyoudi announced the UAE’s intention to develop the region’s first NDC Investment Roadmap that will outline specific directions and entry points for businesses to help implement the country’s NDCs.
He indicated that the country continues to achieve global clean energy goals with an ambitious clean energy target of 27 percent by 2021 and 50 percent by 2050. He also stressed that the UAE’s businesses have witnessed significant achievements in climate-related areas, reflecting the country’s pioneering role as a regional leader and global convener of climate action.
Furthermore, at the Secretary General’s high-level event on innovation and technology, His Excellency Dr. Al Zeyoudi presented an overview of the UAE’s contributions to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). His remarks primarily focused on the critical role played by businesses in achieving the SDGs by 2030.
He said: “The UAE has placed innovation at the top of its development agenda to drive economic diversification objectives. Launched in 2014, the National Innovation Strategy articulates the country’s ambition to become one of the most innovative nations in the world. Reinforcing its commitment to this priority, in 2015, the country launched the US$544 million Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund to facilitate access to affordable financing for local innovators.”
The UAE delegation at UNGA 72 includes 15 executives representing diverse businesses, such as Majid Al Futtaim Holding, known for launching the world’s first Net Positive sustainability strategy in April 2017 with the aim of achieving a net positive carbon footprint by 2040.