Abu Dhabi, 9th January 2023: As the primary environmental regulator in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and a leader in the implementation of sustainable best practices, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is one of the main sponsors of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).
Held under the patronage of UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ADSW will contribute to setting the sustainability agenda ahead of COP28, the UAE Climate Conference being held near the end of 2023.
Under the theme of ‘United on Climate Action Toward COP28,’ ADSW will establish the UAE leadership’s commitment to practical and inclusive climate action. The event will also be a significant gathering of global sustainability decision makers and main stakeholders who will be involved in important discussions ahead of COP28. ADSW is taking place at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from Saturday January 14th to Thursday 19th January.
The Agency is partnering with Masdar – the organisers of ADSW – to ensure the success of the event and a qualified team of experts from the Agency will be participating in a series of activations on site.
Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD “At EAD we are very proud to be strategic partners with Masdar for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2023. This iconic event is a testament to Abu Dhabi’s global position as a sustainability leader and a very important hub for international dialogue. Our team looks forward to learning about a range of innovations by our peers from around the world that result in better environmental conservation, and I am sure we have a great story to tell about Abu Dhabi and our experience in this field.”
At the ADSW Summit, which will see world leaders from government, business, and finance meet to take action and work collectively to deliver on a climate roadmap for a net zero future, HE Dr. Shaikha Al Dhaheri, will be participating in a conversation-led session, entitled ‘The Business Case for Biodiversity’ on17th January 2023.
Her Excellency will be discussing – alongside Prof. Carlos Manuel Duarte, a distinguished Professor of Marine Science at King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia – how human well-being, economic stability, and food security all rely on thriving biodiversity, how to ensure corporations embed biodiversity in their business strategies as well as which technological innovations will drive positive outcomes.
Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha will also be participating in the Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) Forum – a platform dedicated to empowering women as leaders and advocates of sustainable change. The event brings together international policymakers, industry leaders and other influential personalities to shed light on pressing issues pertaining to women and sustainability. This year’s theme is ‘Empowering Women to Lead Climate Adaptation.’
She will participate in a ‘Protecting Biodiversity and Ecosystems’ discussion with Maitha Al Hameli, Section Manager Marine Assessment and Conservation Team from the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at EAD.
In another session at WiSER, Sheikha Al Mazroui, Acting Executive Director, Integrated Environmental Policy and Planning Sector at EAD will be participating in a discussion about climate-resilient infrastructure.
The Agency will also be an integral part of the Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S) platform, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office. The youth engagement platform aims to help young people become future sustainability leaders.
On 17th January, the EAD will be organising a session, called ‘EAD’s 2022 Survey: Capturing the Voices of Youth on Climate Change’. Khansa Al Blouki, Director, Environmental Outreach, Environmental Information, Science and Outreach Management Sector at EAD, will be leading the discussion, and sharing highlights of the UAE’s largest ever climate change youth survey.
As part of Youth Connect, members of the EAD Youth Council will participate in two forums. The first session – ‘World Climate Simulation’ – will be held on January 16th. This group role-playing exercise will simulate international climate change negotiations, and provides participants the chance to explore the risks of climate change and the challenges of negotiating international agreements to reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.
The second is on 17th January and focuses on ‘Blue Carbon Habitats and Nature-Based Solutions’. Featuring Maitha Al Hameli, and Jane Glavan, Co-Owner of Distant Imagery, the session will explore what nature-based solutions are, how they are applied in the UAE, and why blue carbon is one of the most important and effective nature-based solutions in combating climate change, and how mangroves are playing a key role.
The Agency will also be placing a number of ‘Big Zero’ installations throughout ADNEC so that attendees can safely dispose of their single-use plastic bottles that will later be gathered and sent to a recycling facility. The Big Zero installations are part of the ‘Mission to Zero’ public awareness campaign, which aspires to zero plastic, waste, emissions, and disruption of biodiversity in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.