UAE reaffirms commitment to a greener economy

A delegation from the United Arab Emirates represented by the Directorate of Energy and Climate Change of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated yesterday in the annual Global Green Growth Institute's (GGGI) governance meetings – the 3rd Assembly and the 6th Council – in Songdo, Korea as a member country.
The delegation was led by Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Permanent Representative to International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Director of Energy and Climate Change department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"We are pleased that the UAE has been chosen to continue being a Council member for the next two years, which is a testament of the UAE's leadership and commitment to green growth," said Dr. Al Zeyoudi.
The new Chairman of GGGI and Former Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said: "As always, we appreciated the valuable insight from the delegation from the United Arab Emirates. The UAE has been a crucial partner to GGGI since the organization's inception and continues to play a leading role on the Council." The meetings were attended by ministers and high level government officials from its 22 member states, where they discussed and approved the Institute's 2015- 2020 strategic plan, the work programme, the budget and the council membership for 2015 – 2016.
"We appreciate the UAE's strong support. We have a fantastic program there and in the region. I am especially pleased at yesterday's meeting they lead the strategic discussion on how current Members can help to expand GGGI Membership and mobilize resources. I also congratulate them for receiving another term on the GGGI Council," said GGGI Director-General, Yvo De Boer.
The UAE also participated in a panel discussion on the theme of "Green Growth as a Creative Growth Model" where Dr. Al Zeyoudi shared the UAE's vision on green growth.
"Exploring a green growth pathway means finding new sustainable growth engines in a business friendly, competitive and entrepreneurial economy, which harnesses the full potential of our human capital, creates attractive jobs and effective markets, and these are demonstrated through our Masdar initiatives," said Dr. Al Zeyoudi.
The UAE joined the GGGI in 2011, and have since collaborated with the international organization on developing the UAE's national green growth strategy, as part of its fundamental transition to a diversified, knowledge-based economy built on education and research and development