Minister of Climate Change and Environment attends high-level meeting on economic diversification and transformation in the context of climate change His Excellency Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of Climate Change and Environment, joined world leaders in a high-level meeting focused on addressing climate issues through economic diversification, as part of the 22nd Conference of Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Marrakech, Morocco.

In opening statements, His Excellency Salaheddine Mezouar, Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and COP22 President, and His Excellency Ban-Ki Moon, United Nations Secretary-General, highlighted the importance of understanding how to integrate economic diversification into sustainable development strategies, which transcends the development status of countries and impacts all countries in different ways.

“Economic diversification is essential to reap the benefits of low-carbon development and green innovations,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said in his statement. “But even as we embrace new clean technologies, we can never forget that sustainability begins and ends with people – that means building a future where parents can feed their children, children can go to schools and young people can find good jobs.”

 “That’s why climate action, at the same time, advances the Sustainable Development Goals. In fact, the two are complete inseparable,” he added.

 During the meeting, world leaders shared ways in which countries, like the UAE, are transforming to a low-carbon through economic diversification and discussed the need to accelerate global transformation to meet the commitments set out by the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.

 “Climate action goes hand in hand with greater prosperity and economic growth,” His Excellency Dr. Al Zeyoudi said. “The UAE is working closely with government and business leaders to develop our National Climate Action Plan which will leverage research and innovation to drive new economic opportunities and ensure a sustainable future.”

 The meeting included smaller discussion groups on topics such as the transition of workforce as countries diversify economically and also featured briefings from His Excellency Khalid A. Al-Falih, Saudi Arabian Minister of Energy, and Dr. Jonathan Pershing, USA Special Envoy for Climate Change.

 “I was very pleased to hear today about all of the success that has been made by others,” His Excellency Al-Falih said. “We need to find ways and mechanisms to transfer your successes and those lessons learned across the global community.”

 The UAE’s participation in the high-level meeting reinforces its commitment to climate action through economic diversification. The country’s Green Growth Strategy already sets a framework for sustainable growth and is projected to create 160,000 new jobs by 2021.