DUBAI — The UAE is a trailblazer in renewable energy, particularly in solar energy, said Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. Palau is also keenly interested in this sector, and the UAE’s expertise in renewable energy is crucial for limiting the Earth’s temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius and reducing carbon emissions, he added.
“COP28 is attracting significant interest from various participating countries and will serve as an important forum for climate enthusiasts. This reflects the commitment of people who are eager to enact change and preserve the planet by taking serious steps towards a better future,” President Whipps told the Emirates News Agency (WAM). He emphasized his expectation for COP28 to be one of the largest COP events to date.
“We are looking beyond the Paris Agreement to COP28 as a principle of commitment and unified efforts to tackle climate change,” Whipps said. He noted several examples, such as the adoption of electric vehicles, increased use of solar energy, and other solutions that can be implemented to protect the planet.
He also praised the excellent organization of the event and expressed his eagerness to enhance cooperation between the UAE and Palau in renewable and clean energy sectors.
Meanwhile, Carel Richter, Consul-General of the Netherlands in Dubai and the Northern Regions, affirmed that meeting the Paris Agreement goals requires all parties, including the Netherlands, to elevate their ambitions and accelerate implementation.
Richter stated that the Netherlands is aiming for a 100 percent circular economy by 2050, with a significant initial step being the reduction of raw material usage by half by 2030.
He acknowledged the UAE’s distinguished ambition and vision, noting that it was the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to announce a Net Zero initiative by 2050.
He stated that the COP28 Presidency has made unprecedented strides in climate action by bolstering global climate finance, expediting the transition in the energy sector, advocating for comprehensive climate action by including global health on the COP agenda, and encouraging private sector participation as part of the solution.
Regarding cooperation between the Netherlands and the UAE in sustainable projects and renewable energy, Richter noted that both countries recognize the private sector’s vital role during COP28. He highlighted their efforts aimed at strengthening relations to establish a future green hydrogen corridor between the Middle East and Europe.
Eng. Samira Muhammad Al-Kandari, Director-General of the Environment Public Authority and head of the negotiating delegation of the State of Kuwait to the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28), affirmed Kuwait’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and embracing the circular economy. This commitment is part of Kuwait’s Low Carbon Strategy 2050, which will be submitted to the climate agreement in mid-December.
Eng. Al-Kandari articulated her country’s vision to expand the use of gas as an alternative to fossil fuels. She mentioned that Kuwait is participating in COP28 in Dubai with a 45-member negotiating team, which will engage with negotiators from other countries in discussions to reach innovative solutions during the UN climate summit.
Al-Kandari expressed her delight that the UAE, a fellow Gulf country, is hosting the COP28 climate summit, which she considers the most important global meeting at present. She stressed that the State of Kuwait is committed to the provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and is moving forward in this direction.
The UAE will host the COP28 meetings at Expo City Dubai from November 30 to December 12, 2023.