United Nations chief hails UAE efforts on climate change

UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has praised the UAE for its efforts in mitigatingthe effects of global climate change."The UAE is emerging as a leader of a diverse energy economy,” he added."I count on other countries to follow the UAE's example and to pursue the manyuntapped... opportunities to help control the global climate change. The longer wedelay, the more we will pay — the sooner we act, the greater the benefits to people and the planet.”The Secretary-General made these comments on the eve of announcing hisparticipation in the Abu Dhabi Ascent meeting that will be held in Abu Dhabi fromMay 4-5, in preparation for the Climate Summit, which will be held later this year inNew York."The Climate Summit is a critical opportunity to inspire and scale up the actions that will lead us towards a low-carbon, sustainable future,” said the Secretary-General. "The Abu Dhabi Ascent will play a pivotal role in mobilising action that willallow us to address climate change.”The meeting in Abu Dhabi is designed to build momentum for the Climate Summit,which aims to catalyse transformative action and build political impetus ahead ofthe 2015 UNFCCC Climate Change Conference in Paris, where a global, bindingclimate agreement will be finalised."This is the decade of action,” said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State andspecial envoy for energy and climate change. "And the world must work together tofind solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change. The Abu Dhabi Ascent addsurgency and reinvigorates the need to address climate change and transition to acleaner, more sustainable global energy mix."The meeting in Abu Dhabi underscores the role the UAE is playing as a true energyleader,” added Dr Al Jaber. "As a hydrocarbon-rich country, and a reliable exporter tointernational markets, we are leveraging our industry expertise to diversify theglobal energy mix. The acceleration and adoption of renewable energy and cleantechnologies is a key strategy for climate change mitigation. Today, the UAE is theonly Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) nation supplyingboth hydrocarbons and renewable energy to the international market.”The Abu Dhabi Ascent will explore areas for action that will have a high-impact inreducing emissions and building resilience, including adaptation, disaster riskreduction, agriculture, cities, climate finance, energy efficiency, forests, renewableenergy, short-lived climate pollutants and transport. The meeting will also exploreinternational and multi-stakeholder efforts that support ambitious on-the-groundactions. The decision to host the Abu Dhabi Ascent underscores the reputation of the UAE asa forward-looking leader in driving global energy and climate change policy. TheUAE's influence as a strategic energy hub is also why Abu Dhabi was selected as thepermanent home of the International Renewable Energy Agency - the firstintergovernmental organisation in the Middle East.