Al Jaber to host high-level climate change meeting before UN summit

The summit will seek to demonstrate how early action can lead to substantial economic benefits.

Abu Dhabi will host a high-level meeting in May to prompt action by world leaders at the UN Climate Summit later this year.

The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, and Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change, said the May 4-5 meeting aims to bring bold announcements and actions to address climate change.

The summit will focus on solutions that demonstrate how early action can result in substantial economic benefits, the state news agency Wam reported.

The “Abu Dhabi Ascent”, as the meeting will be called, will bring ministers as well as business, finance and civil society leaders together to develop a range of proposals for action.

It will also determine how their countries, businesses and organisations could become more involved in initiatives to deliver concrete action at the summit.

“The United Arab Emirates is at the forefront of international efforts to mitigate climate change,” said Dr Sultan Al Jaber.

“As a key mitigation strategy, the UAE has made significant investments to develop and deploy clean energy technologies globally.

“The high-level meeting in Abu Dhabi will be integral in encouraging and enhancing commitments from the public-private sectors and ensuring the summit in New York is a success.”

The climate summit will take place on September 23 at the UN headquarters in New York, one day before the UN General Assembly begins its annual general debate.