Paris: A UAE high-level delegation attended the September Paris Ministerial Consultations, the second in a series of meetings being held in an effort to find political consensus on key issues of contention in the lead up to a landmark global climate agreement expected to be reached at the UN climate conference, COP21, in Paris in December.

The second ministerial consultation discussions focused on two important issues, which representatives hope will be resolved ahead of COP 21, how the new agreement can include a mechanism to help countries adapt to the physical impacts of climate change, and mechanisms for providing support, through finance, technology transfer and capacity building to developing countries.

Manuel Pulgar Vidal, Peruvian Minister of Environment and current COP President, together with Laurent Fabius, French Foreign Minister and incoming COP President, are hosting the series of ministerial consultations with important players in the negotiating process. This second consultation was attended by over 35 ministers, including those from the United States, United Kingdom, China, Germany, Egypt and India.

The UAE delegation was led by Dr Thani Ahmad Al Zeyoudi, UAE Permanent Representative to the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) and Director of Energy and Climate Change at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Dr Al Zeyoudi said, “The United Arab Emirates is committed to supporting France, as incoming President of COP21, in its efforts to find effective and fair solutions to the global challenge of climate change. Through our active participation at these discussions, we are working to enhance cooperation among participants and are gaining recognition as leaders in this field.

“The UAE is showing that climate solutions can be made effective and competitive. By sharing and building on our experience, we are helping the world deal with the major global challenge of climate change while creating economic opportunities and building a more diversified economy for the UAE.”

The UAE delegation held a number of bilateral meetings to discuss how the UAE can cooperate with other countries in the run-up to COP 21 and address climate change. COP 21 is the 21st session of the Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and is considered the most important in years.

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