Amb. Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi of UAE to Seoul appears on Arirang TV program “The Diplomat”

A special television episode of "The Diplomat" was held on the Korean channel Arirang, which is shown in English, for His Excellency Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, UAE Ambassador to Seoul, which was broadcast on July 12, 2021. The episode dealt with the nature of bilateral relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Korea.

Korea in various important and common sectors between the two friendly countries, and the episode focused on the efforts of the UAE in confronting the issue of climate change. A video clip was also shown of His Excellency Abdullah bin Mohammed Balhaif Al Nuaimi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, in which he referred to the UAE's great efforts in the field of climate change and the policies, plans and programs adopted and implemented in the UAE in this aspect.

Amb. Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi of UAE to Seoul (left) has an interview with an Arirang TV reporter in charge of the “Diplomat” program on July 12, 2021.
Amb. Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi of UAE to Seoul (left) has an interview with an Arirang TV reporter in charge of the “Diplomat” program on July 12, 2021.

His Excellency the Ambassador also discussed in detail the measures taken by the UAE to mitigate the effects of climate change and its consequences on the UAE, considering it an economic opportunity and a strong engine for diversification in the country's economy and following low-carbon industries, products and services for a prosperous and bright future for the country.

The UAE established the Higher Committee for the Environment shortly after the establishment of the UAE in 1971. This reflected the vision of our founding father, His Highness Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan, who wanted environmental considerations to be part of the development model of the UAE. It developed on Over the years to what is now called the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, which is the local leader in climate action and the ministry is also closely supported by environmental regulators at the emirate level. In addition, the United Arab Emirates appointed a Special Envoy for Climate Change to expand our international involvement and leadership late last year.

It should be noted that the UAE was the first country in the Middle East to adopt renewable energy about 15 years ago, and it now has the cheapest solar energy in the world, less than the cost of natural gas, as well as hosting the International Renewable Energy Agency, with 184 member states.

The UAE is a major hub for events related to climate and sustainability, notably including Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the largest annual sustainability gathering in the world. It attracts more than 50,000 delegates from 170 countries and is part of the national calendar, with school groups, special media coverage, and huge participation by Emirati businesses.

The UAE is proud to be part of this transformation, investing billions in low-carbon technologies and projects, and supporting other countries with billions of dollars in climate aid for renewable energy and humanitarian relief.

Masdar, our renewable energy company, is making billions of dollars in investments in solar, wind and waste-to-energy at home and across dozens of countries around the world, demonstrating that renewable energy makes immediate financial sense.

The Ambassador also referred to the UAE's focus on education and public awareness of the effects and consequences of climate change, and the country's establishment of a Youth Climate Council to advise the government on policy. In addition to integrating biodiversity into our climate approach, we have supported the 30 x 30 goal as a way to combat climate change and benefit the economy as the UAE is the first country in the Middle East to endorse the 30 x 30 biodiversity goal - which calls for protecting 30% of the oceans and 30 % of land by 2030. In addition to pursuing a policy of investing in climate-smart agricultural research and development and innovation within 5 years.

On the other hand, the Ambassador referred to the cooperation and efforts of the UAE in the climate change file with the friendly Republic of Korea, as the UAE is a close partner with the Republic of Korea in the Global Green Growth Institute(GGGI).

The UAE hosts the regional office of GGGI in Abu Dhabi, where the Republic of Korea is one of the most important and oldest partners of the UAE in the low-carbon sustainability sector and a major hub for bilateral cooperation between the two countries. A number of Korean companies are building a peaceful, carbon-free nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi, and Korean companies are actively participating in the development of solar energy and hydrogen in the United Arab Emirates.

Korean companies have a significant presence in Masdar City, our sustainable investment and research hub in Abu Dhabi. The UAE has also signed memoranda of understanding on hydrogen, cleaner production, environmental industry development, and waste recycling practices and applications. All aimed at climate action and sustainability that produce growth and jobs during the official visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to the Republic of Korea in February 2019.

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