BAKU (WAM)
People, populations, nature systems and biodiversity were the focus for discussions in the UAE Pavilion at COP29 on Thursday.
Starting the day, 'Mobilising Blended Finance for Plastic-Free Waterway's' saw Clean Rivers bring together public and private sector stakeholders to discuss the role of blended finance in clean global river systems.
Deborah Backus, CEO of Clean Rivers said, “We want to be able to help provide funding to de-risk innovative approaches to waste management and the UAE is very committed to water issues.” Ramesh Subramaniam, Director General and Chief, Sectors Group, Asian Development Bank, explained how “money, people, and systems are vital – bringing these things together through innovative finance mechanisms is vital.”
He commended the UAE’s “pace and leadership in this area”, noting how the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has “provided around $1.5 billion in blended finance to date in this area” already.
Turning to an important biodiversity topic, Mobilising the Mangrove Breakthrough – a joint event between the Mangrove Alliance for Climate and the Global Mangroves Alliance – considered this transformative initiative’s progress at the intersection of conservation, science, finance, and policy.
“The Mangrove Breakthrough has achieved significant momentum since its launch in COP27 – mangroves were a centrepiece at COP28 last year,” said Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion at COP28. “The Mangrove Alliance is an initiative seeking to drive action and secure the future of mangroves; it is a multi-stakeholder framework to restore all existing mangroves and ensure sufficient and sustainable long-term finance for them.”
The partnership represents participation from 49 governments representing 60% of the world’s mangroves, and over 50 non-state stakeholders committed to supporting the breakthrough goals.
“The UAE is a proud founding partner of the Mangrove Alliance for Climate, added Hiba Alshehhi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary. “The coalition is driving real change on the ground, including amplifying ecosystem defences through research while encouraging private-public partnerships. Mangroves are integral to the UAE’s national climate plans – by 2030, we aim to plant an additional 100 million mangroves to boost our bio-capacity.”
International speakers on the panel – from Mozambique Sonia Muando, Mozambique’s National Director of Safeguards, Brazil’s Monique Barreto Galvao, RARE Conservation Brazil, Pak Kus Prisetiahadi of Indonesia’s Ministry of Food Affairs of Indonesia, and Alicia Montalvo Santamaría, of the CAF-Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean – all welcomed the progress made to date. IUCN Deputy Director General, Stewart Maginnis, outlined how “50% of all mangroves are at risk of collapse by 2050; 25% of them mangroves are likely to go due to the rise in sea levels”.
Also, the Fujairah Environment Authority launched new book Whales and Dolphins of Fujairah and the Arabian Region by Robert Baldwin and Balazs Buzas in the UAE Pavilion. Clean Water for All looked at support for Africa’s SDGs through innovative water solutions to build climate resiliency and launched a joint report with a roadmap for collaboration and action on Africa's water challenges. The UAE Space Agency shared research and updates from its Analytics and Solutions data program which informs innovations and solutions to mitigate climate challenges.
The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment presented Towards the Development of a Gender-Responsive and Socially Inclusive UAE National Adaptation Plan, underscoring the nation’s commitment to safeguarding its most vulnerable communities within its climate agenda and empowering them in climate adaptation and resilience efforts.
Amal Abdulrahim, Acting Assistant Undersecretary, Support Services Sector, at MOCCAE described how “at the heart of our climate strategy lies a strong commitment to inclusivity and innovation”. It was important “to ensure gender responsive and socially inclusive transitions of the economy,” she continued. “The UAE has made significant efforts to empower women and youth to the nation’s climate strategy and key action plans. The historic UAE Consensus highlighted the role people on the frontlines of climate change play. With our outreach to organisations focused on youth and gender balance, we have ensured our strategy is aligned with the diverse needs of society.”
The day, and the UAE’s full programming at COP29, closed with the Women in Diplomacy reception with Dr Amna Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment to celebrate and empower women diplomats in accelerating inclusive and sustainable energy transitions.