Environment/Science
Environment/Science
UAE to host meeting ahead of climate summit

05 Feb 2014, 07:17 am Print

UAE to host meeting ahead of climate summit
New York, Feb 5 (JEN): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Minister of State and Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change, of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, have announced that the Gulf country will host a high-level meeting in May to generate momentum for concrete actions to be taken at a climate summit Ban will convene four months later in New York.

The summit will take place at Headquarters on 23 September, one day before the General Assembly begins its annual high-level debate. The Secretary-General has invited leaders of Government, business, finance and civil society to bring bold announcements and actions to address climate change. The summit will focus on solutions that demonstrate how early action can result in substantial economic benefits.
 
The special two-day meeting hosted by the UAE will be held on 4 and 5 May and will be called the “Abu Dhabi Ascent” after its host city. It will bring ministers as well as business, finance, and civil society leaders together to develop a range of proposals for action and determine how their countries, businesses and organizations may become more involved in various initiatives so that partnerships can be broadened and deepened to deliver concrete action at the summit.
 
Welcoming the UAE’s offer to host the meeting, Ban said the event will be a “critical milepost” on the way that will help build the momentum for a successful climate summit.
 
“I look forward to working with all leaders to ensure that the summit catalyzes major steps on the ground and towards an ambitious global climate agreement,” said the Secretary-General, who met with Minister Sultan Al Jaber on Monday in New York.
 
The Minister of State said his country is at the forefront of international efforts to mitigate climate change. “As a key mitigation strategy, the UAE has made significant investments to develop and deploy clean energy technologies globally,” he added.
 
“The high-level meeting in Abu Dhabi will be integral in encouraging and enhancing commitments from the public-private sectors and ensuring the summit in New York is a success,” he said.
 
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) meets with Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of State and Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change of the United Arab Emirates. UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras