MoCCAE hosts Green Retreat ahead of COP28

The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE) has held a "Green Retreat", hosting ministers and over 150 high-ranking officials from 50 government and private entities.

The event served as a precursor to the nation's hosting of the Conference of Parties (COP28) later this year.

Held in Expo City Dubai, the Green Retreat, under the theme United for Climate, harnessed the power of various stakeholders, building on their accomplishments in climate change action, environmental preservation, and sustainability.

By fostering innovative ideas and projects, the retreat took on a collaborative approach to showcase the UAE's most impactful initiatives in the lead-up to hosting COP28 in Dubai, set to take place from November 30 to December 12.

In line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, the MoCCAE will take the lead in coordinating the collaborative efforts of all government and private institutions in preparation for the COP28 summit.

In her address, Mariam Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, underscored the ambitious mission of the Green Retreat, which brought together national experts and strategic partners from various sectors to advance climate action in the UAE. 

She said: "The UAE's hosting of COP28 this year, along with naming 2023 as the Year of Sustainability, is tangible evidence of our wise leadership's vision and commitment to playing a leading role in the fight against climate change, which impacts humanity as a whole. UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has demonstrated the UAE's commitment to uniting global efforts in line with the approach of our late founding leader, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan."

Almheiri highlighted the severe climate challenges the world is facing, such as escalating food waste, carbon emissions, waste management issues, biodiversity loss, and the imminent threat to living organisms. She emphasised the urgent need for the world to take swift action, and promoting sustainability across various sectors to secure a better future for upcoming generations.

Almheiri reaffirmed the importance of enhancing the quality and effectiveness of the UAE's climate efforts moving forward, ensuring continuity and achieving meaningful short and long-term results.

The Green Retreat featured seven Thematic Councils addressing critical topics in the sustainability value chain. These included Water Resource Management and Conservation; Biodiversity and Blue Carbon Ecosystem Protection; Private Sector Engagement and Industry Transformation; Waste Management and Circular Economy; Sustainable Transportation; Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency; and Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security.

Key figures at the event included H.H. Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and Chief Executive Officer of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA); Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment; Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy; Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Dr. Ahmad Abdulla Humaid Abdulla Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education; and Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture and Youth.