UAE, Dubai: The UAE Council for Climate Change and Environment held its third meeting on June 14. Presided over by His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, the meeting drew participation from Council members from local and federal authorities and the private sector.

The meeting reviewed the UAE National Climate Change Plan 2050, important developments in climate action at both national and international levels and the impact of the withdrawal of the United States from the Paris agreement. The UAE National Climate Change Plan 2050 aims to support the country’s efforts in the field of climate change within a broad framework and time frame for the management of greenhouse gas emissions.

Speaking on the role of the Council, Al Zeyoudi pointed out that it seeks to find solutions for pressing environmental challenges while ensuring economic growth and protection of cultural and civilisational heritage. The Council, he said, aims to develop and implement a comprehensive and ambitious plan for the country to serve as a role model in the region for climate change action and environment protection.

The meeting provided updates on the public policy guide in the field of municipal work and proposed the guide to include the policies and mechanisms of infrastructure planning and development, best use of resources in construction, integrated waste management, public health and occupational safety, landscaping and city beautification, imposition of fines, and a policy for crises, disasters and emergencies.

The meeting further discussed the most important developments of the Technical Committee for Education and Awareness. Council members proposed running education and awareness programmes and plans at a national level through organising workshops for the seamless implementation of the Sustainable Schools initiative.

The meeting drew the participation of senior officials from several ministries in the UAE, including His Excellency Yacoub Yousef Al Hosani, Assistant Minister for International Organization Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; His Excellency Engineer Ibrahim Abdullah Al Wahhabi, Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of Infrastructure Development; His Excellency Abdullah Sultan Alfan AlShamsi, Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Affairs at the Ministry of Economy; His Excellency Engineer Fatima Mohammed Khalifa Al Shamsi, Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of Energy; His Excellency Ahmed Butti Al Muhairbi, Secretary General at the Supreme Council for Taqah – Dubai;  His Excellency Hussein Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality; Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority; His Excellency Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Director General of Ajman Municipality and Planning Department; His Excellency Eng. Khalid Mueen Al Hosani, Executive Director of the Public Health and Environment Sector at Ajman Municipality and Planning Department; His Excellency Salem Mohammed Al Naqbi, Head of the Sharjah Department of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture; His Excellency Dr Saif Al Ghais, Executive Director of the Environment Protection and Development Authority, Ras Al Khaimah; His Excellency Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Al Hammadi, Director General of the Department of Public Works and Services, Ras Al Khaimah; His Excellency Munther Mohammed bin Shekar, Director General of Ras Al Khaimah Municipality;  His Excellency Obaid Sultan Towarish, Acting Director General of Umm Al Quwain Municipality; His Excellency Engineer Hassan Salem Al Yamahi, Director of Dibba Fujairah Municipality; His Excellency Essa Abdullah Al Ghurair, Chairman of Al Ghurair Resources; Dr Dalya Al Muthanna, President and CEO of GE Gulf;  Ibrahim Al Zu’bi, Chairman of Majid Al Futtaim Group; Engineer Mariam Ali Al Baloushi, Director of Environmental Studies, General Civil Aviation Authority, Abu Dhabi; and Maryam Al Shamsi from the Ministry of Finance.