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327397
Mon, 05/05/2014 - 10:17
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Abdullah bin Zayed highlights the need to consolidate efforts to address challenges of climate change

Abu Dhabi (WAM): H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, has highlighted the need to consolidate efforts and work as a team to address the challenges of climate change. In his speech during the High-Level Meeting on Climate Change "Abu Dhabi Ascent", which began yesterday in the Al Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Abdullah stressed the UAE's firm belief in the importance of teamwork and multilateral initiatives, "as no country can work by itself to face the repercussions of climate change". Following is Sheikh Abdullah's speech in full: "May ALLAH's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon you, His Excellency Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ladies and Gentlemen, Almost forty years ago, when our fathers founded this country, Abu Dhabi was at the beginning of its existence, and through only two generations, and with relentless determination of our wise leadership, we have been able to build a modern and developed state which emerged from the heart of the desert environment and harsh conditions. This outstanding achievement was accomplished thanks to the three principles, beacons directing our journey through our history. These principles interpreted our meeting today in the UAE. The first principle represents our great interest in human beings, because this is our real wealth and capital, which is not being implemented. The second principle represents a policy of openness to the world, and engaging in regional contractive regional and international construction. This policy is a continuation of our history as a major hub for trade and a point of contact and communication on regional and international levels. The third principle represents that our country is based on well-established principles that never lose constants, and insight related to the clear vision for the long term. The changes and variables in the world around us never stop, but we remain holding on to our principles and values. Adhering to these principles is what we need to do to face this great challenge represented in the climate change phenomenon. Facing this problem and the implications of this phenomenon means we need to build positions, convictions and international platforms. We live in an interconnected world and what can affect one country will necessarily affect another. In the same sense, the UAE firmly believes in the importance of teamwork and multilateral initiatives, as no country can work by itself to face the repercussions of climate change. But together, we will have the ability to achieve successful and concrete steps to address these consequences. In the UAE, we have focused our efforts to ensure the well-being, happiness, the growth and prosperity of our people in the long run. This vision explains our involvement in local, regional and international investments focused in creating solutions and projects, that contribute towards the eradication of world climate changes. And we are proud that our efforts encouraged the rest of the countries in the region to invest in clean energy projects. Another national goal is to extract 24% of electricity from sources that are completely free from carbon emissions by 2021. We have achieved great developments in the field of solar energy through Masdar, which includes the Shams 1 solar power station with 100 megawatts of power. As well as operating Phase One of the His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Power Compound project which will generate 1,000 megawatts when complete. We are working to build the infrastructure which will support solar power system usage. I also want to mention our smart investments in the education field, research and development in technology, which is also run by Masdar. What distinguishes our international vision, is that it incorporates and reaches out to support international initiatives. We have fulfilled our commitment to providing half a billion dollars in aid to facilitate the implementation of renewable energy projects in developing countries. The UAE is also a leading investor in renewable energy trade. We are also proud to be the host country for the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) permanent offices. The cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and the United Nations is close, long-standing and constructive, and this meeting is a fruit of this cooperation. We are pleased to offer thanks to the Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-moon, for his sincere and great efforts for the success of this conference, and we also thank the team working with him for their efforts and cooperation. I would like at the end of my talk to emphasise the need to consolidate our efforts and work with the spirit of one team so that we can address the challenges of climate change. Finally, I wish you a pleasant stay in Abu Dhabi, which always welcomes you, and I wish you every success in your deliberations and your discussions. I am confident that your efforts will contribute to the success of the Climate Summit, which will be held in September." Over 75 cabinet-level government ministers will participate in the current meeting, which plays a pivotal role in mobilising action in advance of the Climate Summit, to be hosted by Ban Ki-moon, at the UN, in September. The Abu Dhabi meeting is designed to build momentum for the Climate Summit, which aims to catalyse transformative action and build political impetus in advance of the 2015 UNFCCC Climate Change Conference in Paris, where a global, binding climate agreement will be finalised. – Emirates News Agency, WAM

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