UAE shows its commitment towards green growth while attending GGG meeting.

The United Arab Emirates was a part in the recently concluded Global Green Growth meeting where it highlighted the importance of sustainable living and green growth. This was the ninth session of the assembly while the thirteenth session of the council of the GGG group. 

The Emirati nation was represented by Eng Aisha Al Abdooli, director of Green Development at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, MOCCAE. The session was headed by Ban ki-moon, president and chair of GGGI’s assembly and council. The session saw participation by various officials of different governments, international organisations and various businesses from about 30 countries. 

The process lasted for two weeks where the delegates could share their experience and knowledge in the field and also discuss key initiatives that were aimed at sustainable recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. 

While addressing the members, Ban ki-moon said, “This year, the one development that has affected us all is the COVID-19 pandemic. I don’t need to remind you that challenges come with opportunities, and leaders and heroes rise during difficult times. Almost as soon as governments began to shut borders, and organizations started to institute work-from-home policies, GGGI was thinking about the long-term effects of the pandemic on green growth and sustainable development. As a result, it is already incorporating ideas to help members build back better by greening their economic recovery packages. Therefore, I’m very proud of GGGI for the foresight, hard work, and innovative thinking to try to work around the curveball that 2020 has thrown at us."

He also tried to disseminate so positivity and solidarity all those present there as he said that the pandemic has underscored the linkages between climate change and public health. Ki-Moon added that finally leaders all around the world are realising the importance of green growth, which is a socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable model of growth, He called this the only move forward. 

He went onto further highlight the progress that the world made over the last year. "I believe optimism leads to innovative solutions. I hope I can count on continued strong support of all GGGI members, and I hope those members who have been hit the hardest by COVID-19 and its fallout know that their difficulties will not be forgotten by GGGI. GGGI will continue to focus on green recovery activities, green job creation, climate-smart agriculture, and more for its members."

Al Abdooli also highlighted the importance of green growth while representing the UAE. He asserted that the need for green growth and sustainability has increased during the pandemic as coronavirus has triggered a global downturn. The UAE revealed its plan to focus on three main sectors: digital economy, food security, and green economy.

She also credited the invaluable support from GGGI Regional office in Abu Dhabi, which has helped the country make significant progress in implementing Green Agenda 2019-2020