Amna Al-Dahhak during "COP30"The UAE has confirmed its climate leadership by mobilizing international efforts to finance climate action and protect nature

Belem (Brazil) on November 22 / WAM / Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahhak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, led the UAE delegation during the COP30 Conference of the Parties in the Brazilian city of Belem and affirmed the country’s commitment to accelerating the pace of global climate action, mobilizing innovative financing mechanisms, and strengthening comprehensive global partnerships.

During her delivery of the UAE’s statement during the conference, Her Excellency stressed the pivotal role that the UAE plays within the “Troika of Presidencies of the Conferences of the Parties,” affirming the country’s full support for the Brazilian presidency of the COP30 conference.

Her Excellency added: “We are working side by side with our partners to ensure that the ambitious path that started from Dubai through the historic (UAE Agreement), and went through tireless efforts through Baku, reaches Belem today to be a real starting point that establishes solid and sustainable principles in global climate action.”

Her Excellency pointed to the UAE’s firm commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2050, and said in this regard: “The UAE continues to lead efforts to triple renewable energy production capabilities, and monitor emissions with full transparency to contribute to reaching global climate goals. We believe that preserving nature and biodiversity is a path that cannot be isolated from climate action. Therefore, the National Biodiversity Strategy 2031 has set ambitious goals, starting with protecting our terrestrial and marine areas to improving the conditions of species.” “endangered.”

Her Excellency added: “With achieving half of our goal of planting 100 million mangrove trees, and our leadership of international partnerships such as the (Crimea Climate Alliance) in cooperation with the Republic of Indonesia, we confirm that protecting nature is a fundamental pillar of our policies, a principle that was recently embodied in our hosting of the World Conference on Nature Conservation.”

Her Excellency Al-Dahhak called for unifying efforts around three priorities: raising the ceiling of ambition through nationally determined contributions, achieving tangible climate adaptation, and expanding the scope of financing through innovative mechanisms for countries, such as the “Alterra” Fund that the UAE launched with a value of $30 billion during the COP28 Conference of the Parties.

Her Excellency noted that the UAE pays special attention to the water issue through pioneering initiatives such as “Mohamed bin Zayed Water” aimed at solutions to the challenges of water scarcity in the world.

In this regard, Her Excellency pointed out that the UAE is a major partner in global water efforts through its hosting of the “United Nations Water Conference 2026” in cooperation with the Republic of Senegal.

Her Excellency Dr. Al-Dahhak participated in the Ministerial Round Table on the “Global Cooling Pledge”, and highlighted the rapid transformation of the pledge from a mere commitment to actual implementation with the support of 72 countries.

Her Excellency praised the main outcomes of the conference represented by the official accreditation of the Intergovernmental Commission on Cooling (IGCC) and the activation of the EPIC Facility as a pivotal financing and technical mechanism.

Her Excellency stressed that the UAE has integrated the concept of sustainable cooling into its nationally determined contributions, noting the possibility of reducing global emissions by about 78 billion tons by 2050 through collective action in this sector.

In a related development, His Excellency Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, participated in a number of key events during the COP30 Conference of the Parties.

During his participation in the ministerial meeting on “Urbanization and Climate Change,” His Excellency reviewed the Emirati experience and said: “The UAE’s model relies on a unique approach that reconciles national goals with innovation, and is largely based on cooperative work and coordination through the (Emirates Climate Action Council), which includes representatives of the government and the private sector.”

Regarding the mechanism of action, he said that this approach ensures the translation of major national strategies – such as the UAE Strategy for Climate Neutrality 2050 and the UAE Energy Strategy – into concrete local action plans that address reality at the city level and advance progress towards achieving national ambitions effectively.

During his participation in the closing plenary ministerial session ‘Motirao’ on urbanization and climate change, His Excellency Al Nuaimi stressed that climate ambition can only achieve its full impact when it is translated into coordinated action and shared responsibility across all levels of society. His Excellency reviewed the Emirati model that balances national goals and local innovation, based on the “Emirates Climate Action Council” and the “Emirates Council for Municipal and Environmental Action.”

He explained that this structure ensures that major strategies, such as the goal of climate neutrality, are transformed into concrete local action plans that address the reality of cities and make them an effective partner in the national sustainability agenda.

His Excellency participated in the session ‘Nature and Climate Action: Preserving Tropical Forests’ hosted by the Indonesian Pavilion. During the session, His Excellency stressed that forests represent the “lungs of the Earth” and the first line of defense in the face of climate change due to their vital role in absorbing emissions and maintaining environmental balance.

His Excellency reaffirmed the UAE’s position in support of efforts to protect forests and stop the practices of their removal, as this is an essential pillar for achieving climate neutrality and protecting the planet’s ecosystems.

Within the framework of the specialized ministerial dialogues, His Excellency Dr. Al-Anoud Abdullah Al-Hajj, Assistant Undersecretary for the Green Development and Climate Change Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, participated in three main sessions that focused on adaptation paths, just transition, and the green economy.

During her participation in the ministerial dialogue on “Adaptation”, Her Excellency stressed that the “United Arab Emirates Framework for Adaptation to Global Climate Change” approved at COP28 made adaptation a top priority, and noted the cost of inaction in strengthening global adaptation efforts, noting that the absence of effective financing may cost the global economy up to 22% of the gross product.

Her Excellency reviewed the national experience, which included conducting a “capacity assessment – financing adaptation” to identify gaps and investment opportunities, noting the role of the “Altera” Fund in reducing risks to attract the private sector to adaptation projects.

At the Ministerial Roundtable on Just Transition, Her Excellency called for the development of a “global toolkit for just transition” and a clear collaborative approach to link countries’ needs with financing mechanisms.

She explained that the UAE’s climate neutrality strategy represents a comprehensive economic diversification plan that includes 25 programs in 6 vital sectors, stressing that a just transition should stem from national conditions and support economic growth.

In a discussion session with the World Green Economy Organization (WGEO), Her Excellency reviewed the progress made in implementing the “National Green Agenda” and plans to achieve climate neutrality.

Her Excellency discussed the supportive legislative frameworks such as the “Federal Law on Limiting the Effects of Climate Change” and efforts to enhance air quality.

She particularly highlighted the National Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system that the Ministry recently launched during the GITEX exhibition in Dubai, stressing its pivotal role in ensuring the accuracy of climate data and enhancing transparency and credibility in monitoring emissions and tracking progress achieved.

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