Sunday, May 04, 2014

Abu Dhabi

Proposed concrete solutions overshadowed the concerns on devastating weather events and similar disasters caused by climate change at the first day of Abu Dhabi Ascent, a two-day high-level meeting in the capital.

Positive trends including decreasing costs of renewable energy, which will replace polluting fossil fuels to cut carbon emissions, extended hope and inspiration to 1100 delegates including 100 ministers for positive action.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Shaikh Abdulla Bin Zayed Al Nahyan urged the world leaders to make concrete commitment to fight climate change ahead of the 2014 UN Climate Summit that will be held in New York in September.

Ban said the UAE is a global champion in fight against climate change.

The UAE is a small nation with rich natural resources but all nations in its stature does not take such [low carbon] initiatives, he said.

“We need to do it now, because we may not get a second chance,” Ban said while explaining the nine key areas to fight climate change, such as energy, climate pollutants, forests, agriculture and others.

“We are living in an interconnected world and what affects one country affects us all. We are proud that our pioneering efforts have encouraged other countries in the region to embrace clean technology,” Shaikh Abdulla said.

“Organising this meeting in Abu Dhabi reflects the UN’s confidence in the active role the UAE is playing to mitigate climate change and that we are part of the solution,” Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the UAE Minister of State and Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change, said.

Sharing his hope on clean energy to fight climate change, Al Gore, former US Vice President said solar power will be deployed at a faster pace than predicted by experts.

The UAE announced the submission of its bid to host the 24th World Energy Congress (WEC) in 2019 in Abu Dhabi. If the UAE wins the bid, it will be the first OPEC (Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) member state to host the event in the 90 years history of the congress, Dr Mattar Hamad Al Neyadi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy, said.

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By Binsal Abdul Kader and Samihah Zaman Staff Reporters

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