UN Resident Coordinator for UAE Dr. Dena Assaf has praised the UAE’s environmentally-friendly endeavours to protect the environment and achieve sustainable development goals.
The UN official hailed Abu Dhabi’s decision to ban the use of single-use plastic bags from 1st June, as the first city in the Middle East.
This is also a part of Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and other initiatives leading to the UAE’s strategic vision for carbon neutrality 2050.
On the sidelines of Arab Green Summit 2022 in Dubai, Assaf said that the UAE is preparing nicely to host the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in 2023.
She noted that the summits and preparatory meetings held in the UAE mainly aim to search for alternative solutions to fossil fuels.
The UN official stressed that developing the circular economy for a sustainable future is the responsibility of everyone, and not only of government and private sectors.
She added this can be accomplished by sharing ideas and solutions to work together, expressing her pleasure at representing the UN in the UAE.
Assaf commended the UAE’s efforts as the country was one of the first countries to announce its vision for carbon neutrality “zero-carbon” by 2050.
She noted, “As an organization, the UN is confident that the UAE will reach goals even before the specified date; we hope that innovation being developed in the UAE will support the region and the whole world.”