Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, has praised the efforts of Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as well as His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, in launching visionary strategies and initiatives that enhance the country's development model in order to achieve the goals of the UAE Centennial Plan 2071.

Speaking about the participation of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, MOCCAE, in the Annual Meetings of the UAE government, Dr. Al-Zeyoudi said, "The participation of MOCCAE in the meetings and workshops associated with the Annual Meetings of the UAE Government is aimed at proposing initiatives related to the environmental conservation efforts of our nation. We aim to contribute to the conversation through suggesting viable solutions for mitigating the impact of climate change.

"This, we believe, is the need of the hour given the alarming consequences of global warming that pose an important development challenge to many countries. The unusually high temperatures that are being recorded across the world, as well as fluctuating rainfall rates and increasingly violent weather events, are anticipated to affect the economic and social sectors in the short and the long term.

"The UAE continues to exert significant efforts to reduce the impact of climate change and achieve sustainable economic growth. Our leadership is committed to lessening carbon emissions, investing in clean and renewable energy projects, developing green cities and buildings and adapting to climate change through expanding green areas within the framework of the UAE Vision 2021.

"The UAE National Climate Change Plan 2050, adopted by the Cabinet in June 2017, developed an integrated national framework to unify efforts and to identify priorities, fill gaps and ensure co-operation between the public and private sectors to serve the country’s interests at the domestic and international levels.

"Such efforts once again validate our nation’s capacity to look ahead to conceptualise and implement solutions that benefit the global community at large. Initiatives such as the Annual Meetings of the UAE government allow us to come together to offer relevant recommendations for the betterment of future generations," he added.