Cop26: UAE climate envoy meets John Kerry and Israel's climate minister

Dr Sultan Al Jaber also met the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE special envoy for climate change, centre, with Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, left, John Kerry, US climate envoy, and Raychelle Omamo, Kenya’s Minister of Foreign Affairs at Cop26 in Glasgow. Photo: @uaeclimateenvoyShow less

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister for Industry and Advanced Technology and the UAE's special envoy for climate change, met US climate envoy John Kerry at Cop26 in Glasgow.

The climate officials were participating in a session organised by US think tank, the Atlantic Council, alongside the Kenya’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Raychelle Omamo, and Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft.

The UAE has adopted an open and inclusive approach and transformed into a global hub for science and innovation

Dr Sultan Al Jaber,
UAE special envoy for climate change

Writing on Twitter, Dr Al Jaber said they discussed "the importance of investing in climate initiatives that are inclusive and financially sustainable, and [how to] reduce emissions without affecting economic growth".

"Under the direction and vision of our leadership, the UAE has adopted an open and inclusive approach and transformed into a global hub for science and innovation, a pioneer in the energy and clean energy sectors, and a model for strategic partnerships," Dr Al Jaber said.

The UAE's special climate change envoy also met Israel's energy minister, Karine Elharrar, in the UAE pavilion at Cop26.

Dr Al Jaber said the discussion centred on green partnerships between the countries and sustainable development in the Middle East.

"A pleasure to meet Israel's energy minister Karine Elharrar and to discuss co-operation between our two countries for clean energy partnership and sustainable development in our region," Dr Al Jaber said on Twitter.

He was joined by Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and Minister of State for Food Security.

Dr Al Jaber also met Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The two discussed the organisation's long-term partnership with the UAE.

"Great discussion with Rafael Grossi, director general of International Atomic Energy Agency, an organisation that we have partnered with for a decade as we integrate nuclear energy into our sustainable development path," Dr Al Jaber said on Twitter.

The UAE delegation, led by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the UAE's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, also celebrated UAE Flag Day in the Cop26 pavilion in Glasgow.

Dr Al Jaber said: "We celebrated with great pride in our nation’s continued progress and accomplishments and we welcome the world to partner with us on our collective journey to drive positive climate action and build a better future."

The UAE delegation at Cop26 celebrated UAE Flag Day. Photo: @uaeclimateenvoy

The UAE's special envoy for climate change has enjoyed a busy week in Glasgow, meeting government officials, investors and executives.

The UAE's bid to host Cop28 in 2023 was given a boost when the Asia-Pacific Group of nations endorsed its bid, joining the Arab League and the Gulf Co-operation Council, who have already given their support.

The Emirates also joined the Global Methane Pledge, along with more than 100 other countries. Greenhouse gas is one of the major contributors to global warming.

On Tuesday, the UAE joined calls for the impact of climate change on security to climb to the top of the agenda at Cop26.

Ministers speaking at the Glasgow summit have raised concerns about conflicts triggered by scarce resources as the natural environment worsens.

On Monday, the UAE and the US unveiled a joint initiative to drive rapid and transformative climate action in the agriculture sector, as they look to boost investment in science and innovation to ensure the sector contributes to solving the climate crisis.

Cop26 day four – in pictures

Rishi Sunak, Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, holds his green box at the Cop26 summit in Glasgow, before a meeting a group of finance ministers. PA

Indigenous leaders in ceremonial dress gather at the McLennan Arch in Glasgow Green to march to the Scottish Event Campus in Glasgow, announcing their arrival at the Cop26 summit. PA

Rishi Sunak delivers a speech to Cop26 delegates. Getty Images

Police officers guarding an inflatable Loch Ness Monster at Govan Dry Dock after it was seized in a dawn raid in Glasgow. PA

Police and demonstrators at a Extinction Rebellion protest on Buchanan Street, during the Cop26 summit in Glasgow. PA

Mark Carney, the former Bank of England governor, speaks to a TV crew at the summit. PA

A quote from a message delivered by Britain's Queen Elizabeth to the Cop26 Summit taking place in Glasgow is displayed at Piccadilly Circus in London. AFP

Alok Sharma, president of Cop26, makes his point. AP Photo

Indigenous Amazon delegate Romancil Gentil Kreta wears a Cop26 branded face mask. Reuters

Delegates arrive for another day at the summit in Glasgow. AP Photo

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen delivers a speech at the opening of Finance Day at Cop26. AFP