Sharjah: The role of UAE youth is key to achieving sustainable development of the country, said Thani Ahmad Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, at a recent event in Sharjah.
He called on UAE youth to engage and be part of the country’s global efforts in protecting the environment, achieving sustainable development and combating climate change.
The statement came in his opening remarks during the youth circle held at the Mleiha Archaeological Centre in Sharjah (MOCCAE) last Thursday.
The circle was organised by the ministry in collaboration with the Emirates Youth Council under the title ‘Climate Change and Sustainability is our Shared Responsibility’.
Shamma Suhail Faris Al Mazroui, Minister of State for Youth, also attended the event.
Al Zeyoudi told the audience that sustainability and addressing climate change are not new topics to the UAE.
“Our forefathers have long embraced sustainability and were able to live in harsh climate conditions through the optimal and sustainable use of the scarce available resources while preserving them for future generations,” he said.
He stressed that the founding father of the UAE, Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, gave great importance to environmental and sustainability issues.
He also spoke to the attendees about the transformation that the country has witnessed under the leadership of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the areas of economic and energy diversification.
Highlighting the initiatives launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, he said that UAE’s Green Development Strategy adopts a green economy as a strategic option to direct the national economy towards a green, sustainable and low-carbon future.
“Innovation and creativity are the fundamental pillars of sustainable and non-traditional solutions adopted by the UAE in its journey towards sustainability and decreasing the effects of climate change and adapting to it,” said Al Zeyoudi.
He stressed the important role that the UAE youth could play in terms of putting forward ideas and innovative solutions for these issues in order to contribute to achieving the goals of the UAE Vision 2021.
Speaking on the occasion, Al Mazroui praised the MOCCAE’s role in developing the youth’s knowledge and skills when it comes to environmental issues that are crucial to the UAE.
“The youth are an important pillar in supporting the UAE’s efforts to raise awareness regarding climate change and sustainability. They play a crucial role in supporting initiatives that develop effective solutions to combat such phenomena, and play an active role in decision-making locally, regionally and globally. Today, more than ever, the youth are responsible for sustaining a more prosperous future and combating challenges that the earth is facing due to climate change.”
The youth attending the circle discussed issues related to sustainability and climate change and shared ideas on their importance in achieving a sustainable future in preparing for a post-oil era.
