Dubai - MENA Herald: The UAE’s delegation wrapped up its high-level participation, lead by His Excellency Dr. Thani Alzeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, at the 2nd UN Environment Assembly (UNEA). The meeting, held in Nairobi, Kenya between May 23- 27 was attended by ministers and high-level officials from more than 195 UN countries.
The assembly included several ministerial meetings and sessions that discussed national, regional and international environmental challenges. Attendees also evaluated governments’ ability to successfully implement the goals of sustainable development. In addition, the sessions included discussions on the financial and organizational issues that pertain to UNEA and setting in place the laws and procedures that would be adopted during the upcoming period.
In a speech that H.E. Dr. Alzeyoudi delivered during the event, he highlighted the efforts carried out by the country to protect the environment and support the transformation towards a green economy.
During the event, the United Nations Environment Program announced that the UAE, represented by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and in collaboration with the UAE’s Central Bank, will be the host of the roundtable Finance Initiative meetings taking place in October this year.
The announcement came during the press conference that was held on the sidelines of the UNEA. His Excellency Dr. Alzeyoudi and Mr. Eric Usher, the head of the UNEP FI in addition to several dignitaries and media representatives, attended the conference.
Speaking about the announcement, H.E. Dr. Alzeyoudi said: “The UAE’s hosting of the 14th edition of this global event supports the initiative launched in 2013 by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to position Dubai as the world’s capital of Islamic economy. It also supports global efforts to provide the financing needed to obtain sustainable development.”
H.E. Dr. Alzeyoudi, who was a key speaker at the ministerial forum, stressed the importance of supporting international efforts and carrying out the necessary steps needed to achieve Sustainable Development Goals 2030 especially the goals that pertain to environmental sustainability. H.E held several bilateral meetings with ministers and high-level officials from various environmental organizations such as the new general director of the UNEP, the head of the United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and the general director of the Global Green Growth Institute.
The event, which will take place from October 25 – 27, will be under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council. More than 400 representatives from financial, governmental and civil organizations from around the world are expected to attend the event.