The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment held the second Environment and Business Majlis meeting for 2017, under the sponsorship of Pure Gold Group and in co-operation with the Indian Business and Professional Council, IBPC.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, 64 IBPC members and representatives of leading companies in the UAE.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Al-Zeyoudi stressed the importance of strengthening public-private partnership to achieve the strategic goals of the National Climate Change Plan 2017-2050, the Green Development Agenda 2015-2030, as well as set priorities and make proposals to support national climate adaptation efforts.

Praising the role of leading companies in the UAE in supporting economic growth across all sectors, he said, "The blue-chip companies in the UAE take the lead in spreading advanced technologies, employing sustainable resources and seeking innovative solutions to mitigate the impact of climate change. The Majlis seeks to provide the appropriate regulatory and legal frameworks and encourage the private sector to come up with best practices and solutions for all environmental and economic sectors."

He further pointed out that strengthening partnerships and co-operation with private companies is part of the ministry's strategy to achieve the ambitious goals set by our wise leadership for Vision 2021.

"The Majlis aims to propose innovative and technological initiatives in the environment and climate change sector that are in line with the global direction, urging private companies to adopt corporate social responsibility programmes that aim at reducing carbon emissions, in addition to improving and developing the ministry’s services to the private sector," he concluded.

Philanthropist Firoz Merchant, Chairman of Pure Gold Group, said, "Considering the great historical and bilateral trade relationship India has shared with the UAE for many years, I am honoured and delighted to help advance and elevate this relationship by building a bridge between the Indian business community and the UAE government. A move which I anticipate will prove exceptionally advantageous for both sides for many years to come.

"I am particularly enthusiastic to work with Dr. Thani Al-Zeyoudi on this relationship, and together tackle issues such as the rapidly changing global climate, and the future of the food industry in the Middle East and India. Through initiatives such as these, I am confident the Indian business community and the UAE will come together to seize the opportunities presented by collaborating, engaging, and investing in these issues in order to create a brighter future together."

Bindu Suresh Chettur, President of IBPC Dubai, said, "India and the UAE are poised to strengthen their partnership and co-operation in various environmental and business sectors in the coming years. One such exciting sector is the food industry. As a catalyst for this collaboration, IBPC has recently hosted Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti of the Indian Union Food Ministry to the UAE."

Source: Wam