President Sheikh Mohamed says UAE remains committed to protecting the environment

President speaks in lead up to National Environment Day on February 5

President Sheikh Mohamed has said the UAE will keep working to advance environmental solutions to benefit generations. Chris Whiteoak / The National

President Sheikh Mohamed on Saturday said the UAE remains committed to safeguarding the environment.

He was speaking a day before the 26th National Environment Day.

"As the UAE marks National Environment Day, we remain committed to advancing innovative solutions to benefit current and future generations," Sheikh Mohamed said on Twitter.

"This crucial work will continue at Cop28, as we invite the world to come together in pursuit of a more sustainable future."

On Friday, Mariam Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, said that celebrating National Environment Day highlights efforts to preserve natural resources, their ecosystems and biological diversity.

Ms Almheiri said this year's celebrations aligned with the declaration made by Sheikh Mohamed of 2023 being the 'Year of Sustainability', state news agency Wam reported.

It comes as the UAE prepares to host the Cop28 UN climate summit this year.

Cop28 will be hosted by the Emirates from November 30 to December 12, with the bulk of the talks to be held at Expo City Dubai.

The event will be a crucial stock-take following pledges made at the climate summit in Paris in 2015.

Ms Almheiri said that this year's slogan, “Towards a Sustainable Future”, which coincides with the Year of Sustainability, underscores the need to find sustainable practical solutions to climate and environmental challenges.

It will also help to ensure a sustainable future for the coming generations by accelerating efforts to reduce emissions and adapt and adopt the latest technology.

Sustainability in the UAE - in pictures

Kyle Wagner, head of operations at Masdar Farms, shows the inside of the smart farming retrofitted shipping container in Abu Dhabi that grows four tonnes of leafy greens per year. Antonie Robertson / The National

A view of the domes used for urban farming in the Sustainable City in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A member of staff tosses feed in the shrimp pond at an aquaculture farm in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

Jubail Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi. Mangroves are abundant along the coastline of the emirate and can sequester and store carbon for thousands of years. Victor Besa / The National

Scimitar-horned oryx, part of the antelope family, at the Deleika Wildlife Management Centre in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

About 30 turtles are released into the sea on World Sea Turtle Day at Jumeirah Al Naseem beach in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Cyclists get up early to exercise at Al Qudra Bike Track, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Workers prepare tyres before the recycling process at the Gulf Rubber factory in Al Ain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

A view of Barakah's Unit 2. Photo: Wam

Al Bahar Towers in Abu Dhabi use a solar shading system that features a computer-controlled facade made up of thousands of translucent units. Silvia Razgova / The National

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the largest single-site solar park in the world and central to Dubai's plans to obtain 75 per cent of its energy from renewable sources by 2050. Photo: Wam

Masdar City in Abu Dhabi is the first attempt in the Middle East to build a sustainable city. Chris Whiteoak / The National