Today's Edition
EHAB AL REFAIE (ABU DHABI)
Citizens affirmed the importance of the pioneering role played by the UAE in supporting environmental issues, which was translated by hosting the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28). Through this, the UAE seeks to unify global efforts in the field of climate action, identify opportunities for cooperation to find solutions to climate challenges, they said.
Emiratis pointed out that the impressive results achieved by the state through COP28 are a true translation of the UAE’s efforts, both leadership and people, in supporting environmental issues in all countries across the world. The benefits, achieved thanks to the state hosting this global conference are countless, not only at the environmental level but at all levels.
Citizens told Aletihad that the global event is a pride for Arabs in general and for the UAE in particular, as it achieved tangible success in organisation and led to serious global discussions among governments on how to mitigate and prepare for climate change in the future.
Musbah Al Kindi Al Marar said that the UAE has always been keen on environmental issues and preserving natural resources and their sustainability, which was established by the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and followed by the wise leadership that continues its efforts in enhancing the state’s environmental role in all international forums.
This has had the greatest impact on consolidating attention to environmental issues and preserving natural resources, and contributed to providing a suitable environment for endangered species in various countries of the world. Al Marar added that the UAE’s efforts in preserving the environment locally and globally are clear and continuous, to limit the challenges facing climate change, affecting natural resources, and harming future generations.
Khalifa Saeed Al Saadi highlighted that the UAE is always a leader in the global arena as well as in achievements thanks to the wise leadership that envisions the future with thought and vision for tomorrow. “Today, we see the UAE taking future steps in the field of sustainability, which benefits not only the state but the whole world in supporting sustainable development and climate action. COP28 offers a vital platform for global sustainable plans and best practices adopted by the UAE to build a sustainable future,” he said.
The basic pillars that the UAE works on in the transition to a green economy and alternative energy are among the most important components of preserving the environment, which significantly contributes to the quality of life and economic growth, and the subsequent programmes, decisions, and projects that enhance the sustainable environmental aspect that the UAE has placed in its plan for the coming years, Al Saadi added.
Hosting COP28 is a testament to the UAE’s commitment to environmental issues and the pursuit of a sustainable future. This crowns the Year of Sustainability during which the country introduced many initiatives related to environmental and climate issues. Sustainability has become a focus for every individual in society as a result of the awareness that the UAE has enhanced on environmental, climate, and sustainability issues, according to Al Saadi.
Reinforcing Environmental Sustainability
Omar Ahmed Al Saadi believes that COP28 has reinforced the concept of environmental sustainability culture and the importance of specialised media according to communication theories and expert opinions in meeting the diverse needs of the audience. It has also expanded the UAE’s media presence in international forums.
A seminar held by the United Nations Expert Committee on Climate Change, published in the press and according to a study conducted by the United Nations News on 59 countries, showed that journalistic environmental and climate coverage related to climate change alone increased from 87,000 topics in 2016 to 470,000 in 2021.
The 2022 Digital News Report by Reuters revealed that about 50% of the readership in South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria are interested in climate-related issues in their daily newspaper reading, an indicator that interest in this topic is no longer a growing concern in developed countries only, but in various parts of the world.
For Salem Ahmed Al Mazrouei, the climate challenges facing the world are accelerating in pace and have negative impacts on all countries, though the effects vary. “The suffering is clear and increasing year by year, with unprecedented rises in carbon levels in the atmosphere, record-breaking temperature increases, and other negative impacts of climate change,” Al Mazrouei said.
He pointed out that the UAE’s efforts in preserving the environment and supporting plans to combat climate change are clear and increasing to minimise these risks. “COP28 is a translation of these efforts and the fruit of continuous work in this file, which has resulted in positive decisions that effectively contribute to preserving the environment and reducing the risks of climate change.
"The UAE invited world leaders to this year’s most important climate event to make transformative and practical progress in addressing the climate crisis,” he added.
Preserving Natural Resources As for Nasser Ahmed Al Ali, the UAE’s success in hosting COP28 and the impressive positive results achieved during the global conference attracted everyone interested in environmental issues and highlighted the risks and challenges we face due to climate change.
“This reflects the great efforts of our wise leadership in preserving natural resources and supporting sustainability,” Al Ali added.
The UAE always reinforces values of sustainability and conservation of natural resources, and its efforts are evident, with natural reserves, both marine and terrestrial, spread across the country, as well as supporting plans to preserve endangered animals within and outside the country, he continued.
For his part, Mubarak Al-Mazrouei expressed his pride and honour in the UAE’s hosting of this global event, which attracted world leaders to participate in finding solutions to the negative effects of climate change, relying on clean and renewable energy, and preserving natural resources.
“The hosting of this global event reflects the high international status achieved by the UAE, and that our wise leadership continues to elevate our beloved country towards the horizons of future with giant leaps of excellence and leadership.”
