Dubai: The UAE announced its participation in the "Agricultural Climate Innovation" project to overcome the effects caused by climate change on the global agricultural industry, on Friday.
The UAE will be taking part in the project along with a group of international partners. This was announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
In a series of tweets, the Dubai Ruler said: “Today, I took part along with a group of world leaders in the Climate Leaders Summit called for by US President Joe Biden. We affirmed the UAE’s position that the climate issue is not a temporary one, rather it is an ongoing global challenge. However, this challenge can lead humanity to great opportunities to change its future for the better.
“Despite being an oil country, the UAE has two of the largest solar power stations in the world and will establish a third one that will be the largest independent solar energy plant in the world. We are also investing in more than 70 countries around the world in renewable energy,” Sheikh Mohammed tweeted.
“We truly believe in the importance of international collective action to preserve the Earth's environment for future generations,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
Earlier, addressing US President Joe Biden’s virtual Leaders Summit on Climate Sheikh Mohammedsaid: “Although the UAE is one of the largest oil exporting countries in the world, we made a strategic decision 15 years ago to invest in renewable energy and low-carbon technology.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid noted the UAE’s progress in the energy sector: “Today, we operate two of the largest solar plants in the world and we will soon break ground on a third that is even larger. The UAE is home to the International Renewable Energy Agency, and we also invested in successful renewable projects in 70 countries around the world by providing concessional capital that makes sound economic sense. We believe that renewable energy is the answer to building a better future for humanity.”
He added: “In addition, the UAE was the first country in the Middle East to pioneer carbon capture and storage technology, and our oil sector is the lowest carbon emitter in the world.”
Sheikh Mohammed announced that the UAE will partner with other critical climate champions to launch Agricultural Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM-C) a new initiative to support agricultural research and development, and innovation for food systems over the next five years.
“Climate change is not a temporary concern, but a global challenge that is here to stay. We must unite our efforts to safeguard the planet for future generations or risk paying heavier costs in the future,” His Highness stated.
Noting the UAE’s commitment to concerted climate action Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid concluded: “Today, we are ahead of a new opportunity with the leadership of President Biden, and we look forward to working together to unlock the major opportunities born from the pressing challenge of climate change.”
The Leaders Summit sets a milestone on the road to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November in Glasgow and is designed to increase the chances for meaningful outcomes on global climate action at COP26.
