A delegation from the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) is visiting Canada to meet senior government officials and stakeholders in the Canadian energy sector.
Headed by DoE Chairman Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, the delegation includes Ahmed Mohamed Al Rumaithi, DoE Under-Secretary, along with members from various divisions in the department, the officials will showcase Abu Dhabi’s experience in promoting energy efficiency and sustainability.
The DoE delegation is in Canada to discuss opportunities for collaboration in energy efficiency and advanced clean energy solutions.
The delegation’s visit to Canada comes at a time when the UAE is preparing to host the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) next year at Expo City Dubai.
The conference focuses on a set of key topics including upholding climate commitments, inclusion for all and collaboration towards implementing concrete measures and developing practical solutions to overcome challenges and seize opportunities, in an effort to ensure a sustainable future.
“This visit to Canada is a notable milestone in our efforts, at the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy to develop and implement clean energy solutions using the latest technologies in this field,” Al Marar said.
“It is a major step towards expanding our network of partners and setting the stage for wider collaboration between the Department and various international bodies towards enhancing energy efficiency and promoting clean and renewable energy. It is also an opportunity to develop the sector on sustainable principles,” he said.
The visit aims to strengthen collaboration under the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the DoE and the Ministry of Trade and Export Development, the Province of Saskatchewan in May 2022.
The MoU seeks to provide a general framework for cooperation between the two on sustainable energy, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), hydrogen, Small Modular Reactor (SMRs) and research and development to introduce new and innovative technologies.
Fahad Saeed Mohammed Al Raqbani, UAE Ambassador to Canada, join the DoE delegation on the first day of the visit.
The delegation met Mollie Johnson, Assistant Deputy Minister for Natural Resources of Canada.
Johnson gave an overview of current and previous energy efficiency programs in Canada, lessons learnt, energy efficiency regulations and Federal Government Strategy to support research and development in the sector.
The DoE delegation met with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Vice-President Peter Elder, and Caroline Ducros, Director-General of the Commission and Director of SMR Technologies, who introduced the delegates to the commission’s role and responsibilities, as well as to Small Modular Reactors (SMR) activities in Canada and the regulatory frameworks for these reactors.
The DoE delegation showcased Abu Dhabi’s otential in the energy and clean energy sector.
In Regina, Saskatchewan on the second day the delegation met with Jim Reiter, Minister of Energy and Resources, and Dana Skoropad, Minister of the Environment.
The delegation also met Premier of the province Scott Moe and Jeremy Harrison, Minister of Trade and Export Development.