The World Green Economy Organization (WGEO) hosted a Ministerial Roundtable on Green Economy during the MENA Climate Week 2022, where ministers and senior officials from various regional countries discussed ways to advance the transition towards a green economy and the role of governments in accelerating their transition as well.

Participants reiterated their renewed commitment to drive collective climate action and address regional concerns on the impact of climate change in the region and around the world.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of WGEO and MD and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), commended the efforts of regional governments in the transition towards a green economy. He said that the ministerial roundtable Is one of many others taking place in MENA Climate Week, and WGEO is committed to fostering a green course of development and finding a balance between economic growth and environmental protection.

Al Tayer noted that WGEO came into existence in response to the priorities and concerns identified at the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development, and it has supported cooperation between governments, the private sector, and the international community.

WGEO received observer status from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) during the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26). The organisation is committed to a global green economy transition, which depends on the principles of exchange of knowledge, experience, best practices, and success stories. The participation of policymakers in events, such as these, plays an important role in creating a framework for nurturing the planet’s ecosystems and mitigating the impact of environmental degradation on human welfare.

“For us in the UAE, growth is continuous. We, as a nation, have embarked on a journey of becoming a global hub and a successful model for a new green economy that can attain economic sustainability while preserving its environment for future generations. The vision of the UAE leadership can be seen in our nation’s policies. As we look forward to creating a better future for our descendants, I would like to welcome global leaders to be a part of this journey and promote successful green economic solutions that meet current economic and environmental needs as well as address the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030,” said Al Tayer.

Waleed Bin Salman, Vice Chairman of WGEO, noted that the UAE has shown its commitment to embracing and building momentum towards a green economy. So much so, that in October our wise leadership announced a plan for net-zero emissions by 2050, with significant investments in renewable energy. The UAE is the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to launch a substantial initiative to achieve this ambitious climate commitment “Advancing the green economy requires international cooperation, guaranteeing a new approach and a stable partnership among all stakeholders around the world. Today’s roundtable on the green economy will bring us closer to making these solutions available and accessible to other nations and lead us towards true change,” added Bin Salman.

The first-ever MENA Climate Week is being held at the Atlantis on The Palm in Dubai from 28th to 31st March 2022. The event is hosted by the UAE Government, represented by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE), WGEO, and DEWA, in collaboration with the UNFCCC, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Bank Group.

The event is supported by regional partners, including the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the League of Arab States Secretariat, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for West Asia (ESCWA), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).