About the COP28 climate summit in Dubai later this year, water security will be among the UAE’s and the Netherlands’ vital green initiatives.
Jamal Jama Al Musharakh, the UAE’s ambassador to the Netherlands, and Gerard Steeghs, the incoming Dutch envoy, told The National about the challenges taken by the war, energy, and food.
Mr. Al Musharakh said in an interview at the UAE embassy in The Hague, ” When it comes to collaboration with the kingdom of Netherlands, water is important, and the next is food security,” and that is why the number three collaboration is helping countries in need to face challenges of climate change.”
He added, ” I can’t reveal much about the outcome, but we are very hopeful that such a partnership will lead to something that will benefit not only two countries but the countries beyond.”
A Dutch diplomat who took the ambassador’s post in Abu Dhabi in July said, ” The Netherlands is a land that is very much engaged in the field of water.”
Moreover, Fredrick Vossenaar, special envoy at the Netherlands’ agriculture ministry, said that the co-creation was essential to both the countries that are small in size but keen to deliver on sustainability promises.
He added, “Cooperation with the UAE is based on a sustainable vision for the long term, and hence by putting our ideas together, we can achieve the best results so other countries can profit from this in the long run.”
Sustainable stones to climate action:
COP28 will start from November 30 till December 12. As a host, the UAE has outlined its ambition to unite the world on climate action plans with build and practical solutions for computing global challenges.
Mr. Al Musarakh said the historical ties with the Netherlands on agriculture and technology were building blocks to future partnerships.
Besides, Mr. Al Musharakh also met a group of UAE government officials and professors visiting the Netherlands.
He spoke about the need to involve young people and introduce young Emiratis to exchange programs with universities in the Netherlands.
Reaching young Emiratis:
Mr. Al Musharakh said that it was vital that cutting-edge research was open to laboratories and that awareness should be spread to Emiratis and residents about how they can be involved.
He added, “It’s how to familiarize our future generations to be aware of the significant difference one can make by adjusting their lifestyle to secure a more prosperous future for generations to come.”
In January, Sheik Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, met with Wopke Hoekstra, the UAE’s Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The ministers pledged to fight climate change and seek energy and food security partnerships.
Energy Transition in Cities of the Future:
Mr. Steeghs, the Netherlands’ ambassador-designate, said he was excited to develop ties with the UAE further.
He added that the world knows the UAE as a supplier of hydrocarbons, gas, and oil. Hence, it is essential that if the UAE is saying we should make that climate policy, then we should make the energy transition.
He said,”I am looking forward to broadening and deepening our relationship with the UAE, and it’s solid, particularly regarding economics and agricultural cooperation; I think we’ll take it to new heights.”
