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Dubai 07-09-2019
Minister of Climate Change and Environment Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zyoudi concluded the participation of the official delegation of the State in the fifth session of the East Economic Forum which was held from 4-6 September in Vladivostok, Russian Federation.
HE Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, during a panel discussion titled “Housing, Utilities and Urban Structure… Effective Investments”, stressed the importance of applying and following sustainability standards in the construction sector globally to achieve more environmental protection and friendship and increase the ability of communities to Adapting to the consequences of climate change.
His Excellency pointed out that the UAE, thanks to the vision and guidance of its wise leadership and permanent vision for the future, has been ranked fifth globally in the efficiency and sustainability of infrastructure, according to the Global Competitiveness Report (2017 – 2018), which includes the classification of 137 countries around the world.
He explained that the accelerated development based on the sustainability standards of the infrastructure network in the country is based on the vision of the wise leadership and its quest to create a better future for current and future generations.This development of its role to promote development in all sectors, and accommodate future population increases.
His Excellency pointed out that targeting sustainable development and transforming it into a lifestyle and work according to it included housing projects and new residential complexes throughout the country.
His Excellency reviewed the experience of Masdar City, the Sustainable City, the projects of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and the Sheikh Zayed Housing Program, the nature of the sustainability standards applied in each of them and the extent of their contribution in reducing carbon rates and reliance on renewable energy solutions, and achieving a sustainable production and consumption system.
Speaking at a panel discussion entitled “Environment in the Far East: Current Goals and Long-Term Future Prospects” during the second day of the Forum, HE Dr. Al Zeyoudi called on the international community to strengthen its efforts to protect the environment, its natural resources and biodiversity, noting that according to the UN Special Report 2019 With the assessment of global biodiversity, the health and ability of nature to give is falling in an unprecedented manner in human history, and the rate of extinction of species is increasing.
He pointed out that the UAE has adopted an approach instilled by the founding father of the late Sheikh Zayed – may God rest his soul – to achieve economic development in the light of preserving the environment, its resources and its biodiversity.
He added that thanks to the vision and guidance of the wise leadership of the UAE in the field of protecting biodiversity 44 nature reserves, which constitutes 15% of the total area of the country, and 10 internationally recognized wetlands protected areas, and last year the state recorded a rate of 61% in the effectiveness of protected areas management more than The global average of 53%.
He pointed out that the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, in line with the State’s vision and trends, has adopted an integrated legislative system aimed at protecting biodiversity. It has also launched several projects within the same framework, including the Red List of Endangered Species Project, the Invasive Species Project and the Important Bird Areas Program. The Ministry has worked on developing the National Blue Carbon Project, and is currently working on a project for a smart map of natural capital in the country.
He reviewed the state’s experience in preserving, rehabilitating and rehabilitating some endangered species such as the Arabian Oryx, Arabian Cheetah, Falcons and Houbara.
On the exacerbation of the effects of climate change globally and the efforts required to reduce their impacts, HE said: “The methodology that the UAE deals with the challenges has become an effective global model to be followed by several communities, as it is based on turning these challenges into opportunities for growth, explaining that the UAE and within the framework of local efforts To address the challenge of climate change and to increase the resilience of communities, it has undertaken to promote the deployment and use of renewable energy solutions, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gases (the main cause of climate change) and creating new investment opportunities.
At the local level, Noor Abu Dhabi, the world’s largest solar power project, has recently entered service, Shams Abu Dhabi has been commissioned, and work is underway to complete the Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park in Dubai, in addition to a giant solar project in the Al Dhafra area. Abu Dhabi, and globally, the efforts of the State through Masdar and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development have contributed to the dissemination of these solutions in many countries of the world, especially those exposed to the effects of climate change.
“In support of international efforts, the State, through hosting the permanent headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency, is working to intensify and enhance the global trend of energy transformation and increase dependence on renewable and clean sources of energy production,” he said. .
On the sidelines of the Middle East Economic Forum, the Minister of Climate Change and Environment met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and conveyed to the President the greetings of the wise leadership of the Government and people of the Russian Federation, as well as the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.
During his stay in the Russian Republic, the Minister held a number of meetings with a number of officials and decision makers, including the meeting with Dmitry Kubiklin, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment of the Republic of Russia, where they discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the field of environmental protection and ensure the sustainability of its natural resources. They supported climate action and reviewed the most successful experiences
