ABU DHABI // The UAE is set to reaffirm its commitment to renewable energy and improved voluntary action on climate change.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will highlight the country’s approach of mixing voluntary domestic reform and international aid and investment during the United Nations Climate Summit 2014 in New York this week.

It is the highest-level meeting on the subject in five years with more than 100 heads of state and government expected to attend on Tuesday.

“The UAE has actively engaged with the international community in efforts to minimise the impacts of climate change,” said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State.

“We are a hydrocarbon exporter and a developing country, but we are making some of the world’s most significant investments in renewable energy.”

The summit follows the Abu Dhabi Ascent in May to prepare the international community for the New York meeting.

It aims to develop a series of initiatives on energy efficiency, land use and forests, finance, renewable energy, agriculture, resilience, transportation, short-lived climate pollutants and cities.

The New York meeting leads on to the Paris United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change negotiations in December next year, where a global climate change agreement is expected to be finalised.

“The Abu Dhabi Ascent underscored the UAE’s leadership in climate-related discussions and mobilised contributions to the UN climate change debate,” said Dr Al Jaber. “We worked closely with the UN Secretary General to build momentum towards the summit and to ensure tangible commitments are made by governments and the private sector.”

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