The United Arab Emirates delegation, led by Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of State and Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change, met with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, president of the 21st meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP21) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris, France to discuss progress on the climate negotiations and reinforce the UAE's positions to ensure successful outcomes at COP21.

The meeting was also attended by Madhed Hareb Mughir Al Khaiili, UAE Ambassador to France, Sayeed Al Tayer, Vice-Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and CEO of DEWA, and Dr. Thani Ahmed 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.

"The UAE is committed to the negotiation process and to reaching a meaningful climate change agreement that is inclusive of all parties," said H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change. "A successful agreement should allow for a diversity of action and take into account the different national circumstances of countries."

During the meeting, Dr. Al Jaber highlighted the UAE's goal of supplying 24 percent of national energy needs from clean energy by 2021 as one example of how the UAE is addressing climate change. Other UAE actions include improving energy efficiency standards, deploying a commercial-scale carbon capture, usage and storage project, and investing in renewable energy across the globe.

"Technology and innovation are key to the UAE's approach in tackling climate change," said Dr. Sultan Al Jaber. "We view climate action as an opportunity to advance new technologies, unlocking new markets to spur economic growth while also protecting our environment."

Earlier in the week, the UAE joined world leaders in launching Mission Innovation, a multi-billion dollar clean tech initiative, and the International Solar Alliance, a coalition to advance new solar technologies. The announcements reiterate the UAE's efforts to accelerate clean energy innovation and address climate change.

Source: WAM