News DeskDubai: Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, concluded a highly successful visit to the Republic of Korea from October 16-19, 2024. The visit, which saw a delegation of UAE officials accompanying Her Excellency, emphasized the UAE’s ongoing commitment to advancing green growth and strengthening international partnerships to tackle shared environmental challenges.
During the four-day visit, Her Excellency’s participation in the 13th Session of the Assembly and the 17th Session of the Council of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) was a key highlight. In her address, she reaffirmed the UAE’s dedication to green growth and its leadership in the fight against climate change. “The UAE has long embraced green growth to address the most pressing challenges facing the world,” Dr. Amna said. She further highlighted the nation’s achievements, including its status as the first MENA country to commit to net-zero by 2050.
Her Excellency also underscored the UAE’s fruitful partnership with the GGGI, which has led to the development of several crucial initiatives such as the UAE Green Growth National Strategy, the National Climate Change Plan 2017-2050, and the UAE Sustainable Finance Framework 2021-2031. She praised the GGGI’s role as a “catalyst” for action, turning shared visions of a greener future into practical solutions.
During the visit, Her Excellency held a series of high-level bilateral meetings, including discussions with H.E. Ban Ki-moon, Chairman of the GGGI, to strengthen the UAE’s financial commitment to green growth with a $4 million contribution for 2024-2025. Her meetings with South Korean officials, including H.E. Kim Wan-sup, Minister of Environment, and H.E. Kang Do Hyung, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, focused on expanding cooperation in areas like environmental protection and maritime sustainability.
A meeting with H.E. Kwon Jaehan, Administrator of the Rural Development Administration (RDA), also explored smart farming innovations and food security, with both parties discussing the success of joint agricultural projects such as the rice cultivation initiative in Sharjah’s Al Dhaid region.
Her Excellency’s visit also featured meetings with government officials from Fiji and Zambia, focusing on shared challenges related to climate adaptation and sustainable agriculture, and exploring potential collaborations in renewable energy.
In addition to these key engagements, Dr. Amna visited South Korean sites of innovation in sustainability, including the Sudokwon Landfill, which has been transformed into an ecological park showcasing waste management advancements, and Nongshim, Korea’s leading food company. The visit to Nongshim provided insights into smart farming technologies that are advancing sustainable crop cultivation.
Her Excellency described the visit as a significant step toward enhancing international collaboration on green growth, stating, “It is crucial to continue our journey towards green growth, reinforcing existing partnerships, and forging new ones to exchange experiences and achieve our common goals.”
The UAE’s continued support for the GGGI and its commitment to global green growth reflect the nation’s determination to build a more sustainable and prosperous future through international cooperation.
