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‍Accelerating Action

Today at COP29 in Azerbaijan, conversations centered around innovations and collaborations to advance urbanization and the circular economy, with a special dialogue led by UN Climate Change High-Level Champion Her Excellency Razan Al Mubarak on inclusive climate action.

As the eyes of COP29 turned to climate impacts of Food, Water and Agriculture, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, the Government of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy, International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, and more contributed insights and updates at the UAE Pavilion today. As the importance of water as a life source was highlighted, it was clear that collaboration across public and private sectors is vital to raise ambitions to strengthen water resiliency for all.

Today at COP29 in Azerbaijan, the focus was on Human Development, Children and Youth, Health, and Education, resulting in an insightful day of dialogues led by Leyla Hasanova, COP29 Youth Climate Champion, as well as Masdar Youth 4 Sustainability, the Arab Youth Center and Youth Ambassadors for the Zayed Sustainability Prize.

At COP29 in Azerbaijan today the spotlight was on Science, Technology, Innovation, and Digitalization as critical drivers of climate action. Discussions at the UAE Pavilion included insights from HH Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan from the UICCA, HE Mariam Almheiri Her Excellency, HE Dr. Alanoud Alhaj, Bertrand Piccard, and many others on how cutting-edge technologies like AI, hydrogen-powered aviation, and digital tools are accelerating a more sustainable future.

COP29 in Azerbaijan today focused on Energy as well as Peace, Relief, and Recovery, with the UAE Pavilion hosting energizing discussions and fireside chats. These convenings brought together thought leaders from the UAE Ministry of Energy, g7+, and the Hydrogen Council, as well as multi-lateral organizations including the World Food Programme (WFP) the UN, and NYU Abu Dhabi, sparking crucial conversations to keep building on the momentum to drive climate action.

The Global Climate Finance Center (GCFC) started the day by convening three high-level dialogues that brought together leaders from across the public and private sectors, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts and innovative financing models to support climate resilience, especially in the Global South.

The COP28 Presidency was handed over to Azerbaijan on 11th November, where during the opening ceremony, significant emphasis was put on the need for accelerated action to drive the implementation of the UAE Consensus announced in Dubai last year.

On day three of COP29, UAE programming officially kicked off, with climate experts, government officials, private sector leaders, academics, and youth convening to discuss the most pressing climate challenges.

The time for a global approach to accelerating SDG 6, sustainable water management, access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene, is now. Technology and innovation must be front-and-center in this process.

As COP29 progresses, the UAE delegation came together for a moment of celebration as they formally passed the COP Presidency to Azerbaijan. The UAE’s contributions at COP28, reflected in the ongoing work at COP29, underscore its lasting impact and commitment to a more sustainable future.

At the opening of the Water for Climate Pavilion, high-ranking officials and climate activists called for greater inclusion of water in climate policies and financing mechanisms at COP29. As Tajikistan prepares to pass the UN Water Conference presidency to the UAE and Senegal for 2026, their message was clear: water policy cannot be sidelined if climate goals are to be met.

The UAE Consensus contains commitments to triple renewable energy capacity, double energy efficiency, and end deforestation, all by the end of the decade. Nations reframed the narrative around climate action as an opportunity for socio-economic growth, as opposed to a burden to bear. In the end, determination conquered doubt.

Today marked the official start of COP29 in Azerbaijan with the UAE handing the COP Presidency to Azerbaijan, and the opening of programming. In the opening address, His Excellency Dr. Sultan, COP28 President, reflected on a year of transformative climate actions achievements, setting the stage for global ambitions.

The UAE and Senegal will co-host the 2026 UN Water Conference in the UAE, aiming to advance global water resilience and sustainable management by fostering international collaboration and innovative solutions to drive progress on clean water, sanitation, sustainable water management, and building global resilience for all.

Masdar, the Middle East's largest renewable energy company, plans to increase its wind and solar capacity to 100 gigawatts by 2030, aiming to become one of the world's largest renewable energy firms through significant investments in the Middle East, Europe, and the US, including nearly €6.5 billion in recent deals in Spain and Greece.

The UAE's "Plant the Emirates" initiative aims to enhance food security by increasing organic farms by 25%, cutting food waste by 50%, and promoting climate-smart agriculture through partnerships with the private sector.

HE Abdulla Balalaa calls for transformative climate action at COP29, urging global collaboration to implement the UAE Consensus and achieve significant emission reductions while building a resilient economy.

The UAE is set to accelerate climate action at COP29, building on its ambitious commitments from COP28, including over $163 billion in investments for renewable energy and innovative initiatives aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

The UAE has announced a $30 million partnership with Ghana aimed at advancing climate and biodiversity initiatives, focusing on areas like reforestation and sustainable farming, as part of its commitment to global climate goals and the UAE Consensus.

The UAE has invested over AED 45 billion in clean energy projects, doubling its renewable energy capacity and achieving a 27.83% contribution to its total energy mix in 2023, with ambitious goals to reach 32% by 2030.

The UN adopted the resolution confirming the 2026 UN Water Conference, which will be co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal, to address global water challenges and advance progress to meet Sustainable Development Goal 6 and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

Dubai is undertaking one of the "world's largest coastal regeneration project," aiming to plant 100 million mangroves along 40 miles of coastline, which could absorb over 1.2 million metric tons of CO2 annually and support local ecosystems.

The UAE is accelerating innovation to transform sustainable food systems, focusing on solutions tailored for arid climates, as part of the World Economic Forum’s Food Innovation Hubs Global Initiative launched at COP28 to tackle global food security challenges through technology and collaboration.

The UAE and Indonesia are building the Jodo mangrove research center in Indonesia, reinforcing its commitment to climate action and biodiversity by promoting nature-based solutions to protect vital ecosystems.

The UAE launched the "Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative" to address global water scarcity through technological innovation and international collaboration.

Following COP28, the UAE, Azerbaijan, and Brazil formed a COP presidency "Troika" to strengthen international cooperation and advance efforts to keep 1.5°C within reach.