UAE climate contribution welcomed

ABU DHABI // The UAE met the Conference of Parties’ organising committee to follow up on last year’s historic Paris Agreement in which 195 countries committed to keeping climate change to less than 2° Celsius.

The parties to the United ­Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will meet in Marrakesh, Morocco, in ­November for their 22nd ­conference, known as Cop 22. The UAE’s delegation was led by Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, a key player in last year’s agreement.

“The UAE is a big believer in engaging civil society and the businesses to find durable and meaningful solutions to climate change,” said Dr Al Zeyoudi. “We greatly look forward to sharing our successful domestic experiences in Marrakesh.”

Dr Al Zeyoudi met Salaheddine Mezouar, the Moroccan minister of foreign affairs, and Dr Hakima El Haite, Morocco’s delegate minister in charge at Cop 22, who stressed the ­similarities between the countries’ climate change policies. “The UAE is widely recognised as a global leader and trusted partner on climate action,” Dr Al Haite said. “Their experiences at home and abroad makes them a valuable partner in support of a successful Cop 22.

The UAE, said Dr Al Zeyoudi, would “work hand-in-hand with Morocco to ensure Cop 22 in Marrakesh builds on the great momentum and ambition that came from Paris”.

In April, the UAE and Morocco pledged to strengthen their cooperation after attending the Paris agreement signing ceremony.