Belim: Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, led the UAE delegation to the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belim, Brazil, where she underscored the nation's commitment to accelerating global climate action, mobilizing innovative financing mechanisms, and forging inclusive international partnerships.
According to Emirates News Agency, Dr. Al Dahak emphasized the UAE's pivotal role within the COP Presidencies Troika, expressing full support for Brazil's COP30 Presidency. She highlighted the UAE's dedication to achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and its efforts to triple renewable energy capacity while enhancing transparency in emissions reporting. Dr. Al Dahak also reaffirmed the importance of protecting nature and biodiversity, with initiatives like the National Biodiversity Strategy 2031 and the MAC (Mangrove Alliance for Climate) partnership with Indonesia.
Dr. Al Dahak called for a global alignment on raising ambition through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), advancing climate adaptation, and expanding financing through mechanisms such as the ALT€°RRA fund. She emphasized the UAE's focus on water security through initiatives like the Mohammed bin Zayed Water Initiative and its partnership in hosting the United Nations Water Conference 2026 with Senegal.
Dr. Al Dahak also participated in the Ministerial Roundtable on the Global Cooling Pledge, underscoring progress in its implementation, which now has the support of 72 countries. She welcomed the establishment of the Intergovernmental Committee on Cooling and the operationalisation of the EPIC Facility, which the UAE has integrated into its NDCs.
Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of MOCCAE, showcased the UAE's model for urbanization and climate change at COP30. He emphasized the UAE's unique approach of balancing national ambition and innovation through collaboration, coordination, and the UAE Council for Climate Action.
During the High-Level Closing Plenary, Al Nuaimi stressed the importance of translating climate ambition into coordinated action across all societal levels. He highlighted the UAE model that integrates national goals with local innovation, ensuring major strategies like the Net Zero strategy are translated into actionable local plans.
Al Nuaimi also participated in a session on conserving tropical forests, emphasizing their critical role in carbon absorption and ecosystem balance. He reiterated the UAE's commitment to protecting forests as part of achieving Net Zero.
Dr. Alanoud Alhaj, Acting Assistant Undersecretary of Green Development and Climate Change at MOCCAE, participated in COP30's ministerial dialogues on adaptation, just transition, and the green economy. She highlighted the UAE Framework for Global Climate Adaptation, endorsed at COP28, and the high cost of inaction. Dr. Alhaj emphasized the ALT€°RRA Fund's role in de-risking adaptation projects and attracting private-sector investment.
In discussions on just transition, Dr. Alhaj called for a Global Just Transition Toolkit and a framework linking needs with financing mechanisms. She outlined the UAE's economic diversification roadmap, encompassing 25 programmes across six sectors.
Dr. Alhaj also discussed the UAE's progress in delivering the UAE Green Agenda and Net Zero plans, highlighting regulatory frameworks like the Federal Decree-Law on Climate Change Effects. She emphasized the National Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system's role in enhancing climate data transparency and credibility.