Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed met the US special presidential envoy for climate John Kerry in Abu Dhabi on Sunday evening.
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces received Mr Kerry during his visit to the UAE to attend the first Regional Climate Dialogue.
They discussed environmental protection and ways to mitigate the impact of climate change during the talks at Al Shati Palace.
They also spoke about the importance of achieving international co-operation to tackle environmental problems.
And they touched on how the UAE’s renewable energy projects help contribute to efforts to curb climate change at the local and global level.
Mr Kerry commended the “significant role” the Emirates plays in supporting renewable energy, according to Wam, the UAE news agency.
And they discussed the importance of the Emirates hosting the Regional Climate Dialogue to share ideas about how to address environmental challenges.
The event focuses on national and regional preparations for the 26th session of the UN's Climate Change Conference, Cop26, due to take place in November 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland.
The meeting was also attended by Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, national security adviser, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, member of the Executive Council and chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, and Dr Sultan Al Jaber, the UAE's special envoy for climate change and Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology.
Mr Kerry arrived in the UAE on Saturday, before the start of event.
“We face an enormous global challenge and it’s growing in intensity,” Mr Kerry said.
He visited Abu Dhabi’s Noor and Shams 1 solar parks, the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and Jubail Mangrove Park in the heart of the capital.
It is Mr Kerry’s first visit to the Middle East since being appointed to the role.
The veteran politician was chosen as climate envoy by US President Joe Biden and vowed to swiftly make up for America’s “lost years” in the battle to protect the environment.
One of the president’s first acts in office was to announce the US would rejoin the Paris Agreement.
He also called an online summit of 40 leaders, including those of India and China, on April 22 and 23. It will be streamed publicly.
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US climate envoy John Kerry attends the Regional Climate Dialogue in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. This is Mr Kerry's first visit to the Middle East, and Asia, since being appointed to the role. Courtesy: Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change -
US climate envoy John Kerry attends the Regional Climate Dialogue in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. This is Mr Kerry's first visit to the Middle East, and Asia, since being appointed to the role. Courtesy: Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change -
Alok Sharma, President of Cop26, attends the Regional Climate Dialogue in Abu Dhabi. -
The pledge issued at the end of the Regional Climate Dialogue vowed to help the most vulnerable. -
Delegates at the talks in Abu Dhabi. -
Abdullah Al Nuaimi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment and John Kerry, US climate envoy at the dialogue. -
Abdullah Al Nuaimi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, at the Regional Climate Dialogue. -
The dialogue comes during a critical year in the global fight to halt rising temperatures. Courtesy: Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change -
The UAE's Special Envoy for Climate Change, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, at the Regional Climate Dialogue. Courtesy: Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change -
US climate envoy John Kerry is given a helicopter tour of Noor solar park, outside Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Courtesy: Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change -
John Kerry speaks with Dr Sultan Al Jaber at Abu Dhabi's Shams 1 solar park on Saturday. The National -
This is John Kerry's first visit to the Middle East since being appointed US climate envoy. The National -
Mr Kerry has vowed to make up for the 'lost years' of the Donald Trump presidency and put the US at the forefront of efforts to protect the environment. The National -
John Kerry meets Francesco La Camera, director general of International Renewable Energy Agency, which has its global headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The National -
US climate envoy John Kerry visits Jubail Mangrove Park. Courtesy Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change -
An aerial image of Abu Dhabi's Noor solar park. Its 3.2 million panels make it the largest single-site solar park in the world. Courtesy: Noor Abu Dhabi -
Arrayed panels at Abu Dhabi's Noor solar park. Pawan Singh / The National
