Abu dhabi: Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the World Green Economy Organisation (WGEO), emphasized the significance of critical minerals in the transition to a climate-resilient future, highlighting that this shift is not just an environmental challenge but a profound economic transformation. He pointed out that these minerals are essential for the clean energy economy, supporting green initiatives like solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicle (EV) batteries, and grid infrastructure.
According to Emirates News Agency, the remarks were made during Al Tayer's keynote address at the London Climate Action Week 2026. The event was co-organized by the Commonwealth Secretariat and WGEO, under the theme "Building Collaborative Pathways to Sustainable Prosperity," and held at Marlborough House in London. Notable attendees included Ambassador Tanmaya Lal, Deputy Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat, Waleed Bin Salman, Vice Chairman of WGEO, and other distinguished delegates.
Al Tayer stressed that achieving a net-zero future under the Paris Agreement requires more than just reducing emissions. He urged for financial flows to be aligned with pathways toward low greenhouse gas emissions, calling for investments in responsible critical mineral value chains, from exploration to recycling, to avoid locking in high-carbon or socially damaging practices.
He further elaborated on the opportunity that critical minerals present for resource-rich Commonwealth members, advocating for green industrialization, building industrial capacity, attracting quality investment, fostering innovation, and diversifying economies. Al Tayer highlighted the importance of strong governance, strategic partnerships, and shared value across the supply chain to avoid the pitfalls of past extractive cycles that resulted in depleted assets with little development. He praised the United Nations Secretary-General's Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals for setting guiding principles for fair, sustainable, and transparent mineral value chains.
Al Tayer noted that WGEO and the Commonwealth are natural partners in implementing these principles, seeking to transform global norms into local practices. He emphasized the role of WGEO as a platform for green economic transformation, bringing together governments, financial institutions, and the private sector to accelerate sustainable development and economic resilience.
In his concluding remarks, Al Tayer called for stronger partnerships, responsible investment, local innovation, and genuine community benefit to ensure that critical minerals contribute not only to global climate goals but also to more diversified, resilient, and inclusive economies. He underscored the shared objectives of the Commonwealth Secretariat, WGEO, and other stakeholders present at the event.
The event also included a roundtable panel discussion featuring representatives from WGEO, the Council on Energy Environment and Water (CEEW), the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF), the International Trade Centre (ITC), and a technical expert from the Commonwealth Secretariat. The discussion focused on exploring economic opportunities and strengthening international cooperation, utilizing critical minerals as a key driver for economic transition toward green industrialization. The role of the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) as a leading global platform for green business and sustainable partnerships was also highlighted, alongside the importance of deepening cooperation among Commonwealth member states through the Commonwealth Critical Minerals Alliance (CCMA).