Climate change and the environment hosts the second annual conference of the United Arab Emirates Network for Climate Change Research and discusses addressing urgent climate issues

Weather of Arabia - The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment launched the second annual conference of the United Arab Emirates Network for Climate Change Research at New York University Abu Dhabi on May 25 and 26, with the aim of focusing on the UAE's commitment to climate action and sustainable development.

The conference also provides an interactive space for scientists, researchers and non-governmental players to collaborate and strategize on several pressing climate change issues, which will be the focus of the 28th edition of COP28 hosted by the UAE later this year.

The convening of the second annual conference of the UAE Network for Climate Change Research comes within the framework of the Year of Sustainability in the UAE and within the country's preparations to host COP28, to consolidate the UAE's broader commitment to the global sustainable development agenda and climate action. Taken together, these initiatives emphasize the country's tireless efforts to create a sustainable and resilient environment for its people and contribute effectively to international efforts to reduce the effects of climate change.

The conference was attended by Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, CEO of the UAE Independent Accelerators for Climate Change (UICCA), Mariette Westermann, Vice President of New York University Abu Dhabi, as well as representatives from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Climate, and the Center for Global Adaptation. The conference was also attended by representatives of the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC).

During her speech, Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan said: As part of our work to make a tangible and continuous impact, the UAE Climate Change Research Network conference highlights the value of joint action, education and innovation, and highlights the amazing capabilities that we enjoy alongside our passion and specialization, and what can be That happens when we direct our efforts toward a common goal. Our contributions today will be a sign of our commitment and responsibilities towards creating a sustainable future

In her recorded address to the audience, Mariam Al Muhairi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, emphasized the crucial role the conference plays in providing a collaborative environment, stressing the importance of science and innovation in facing the immediate threats posed by climate change.

Maryam Al Muhairi said: The primary mission of the UAE Climate Change Research Network is to advance research and innovation in climate science. Our scientists and researchers are doing an amazing job contributing significantly to global climate action. We are committed to narrowing the knowledge gap, fostering collaboration, and making scientific discoveries accessible to policymakers and societies alike.

Maryam Al Muhairi added: As the country prepares to host the international community at the COP28 Conference of the Parties at Expo City Dubai later this year, our focus remains on catalysing global climate action and establishing a COP for all by ensuring everyone participates in the event. We seek to showcase the progress we have made in addressing the impact of climate change across the entire value chain, from food systems to clean energy and biodiversity. Moreover, we seek to spur more action on a global scale, as no country will be able to tackle the effects of climate change in isolation. It is a collective responsibility that unites us as individuals and members of the international community

The conference organized its discussions around five specialized themes: climate data and modeling, climate change and infrastructure, climate change and terrestrial, marine and freshwater systems, climate change and public health, climate change and food and water security.

The conference revealed significant developments, including the launch of two new sections of the network, the youth section and the advisory committee section. The Youth section provides a platform for young people to support and participate in various climate research efforts, while the Advisory Committee provides a more complex professional perspective on climate efforts that are being explored within climate change adaptation practices. These efforts aim to expand research, inspire younger generations to contribute to climate change solutions, and enable policy formulation based on groundbreaking scientific insights.

The conference was also an opportunity to review the progress made by the UAE in the field of climate action, such as being the first country in the Middle East to ratify the Paris Agreement and present its Nationally Determined Contributions and plans for climate adaptation.

As part of this commitment, the UAE has set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse emissions from 23.5% to 31% compared to the business-as-usual scenario for 2030. These measures confirm the country's dedication to reducing global warming and creating a sustainable future for its people and the rest of the planet.

In addition to its commitment to establishing a vibrant scientific and research community, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment is also preparing to highlight its efforts in the fields of climate action and sustainable development globally. The UAE is scheduled to host the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at its twenty-eighth session, COP28, later this year, and the event is expected to attract 80,000 participants, including 140 heads of state from around the world, to develop strategies and cooperate together. in building a sustainable future