Arab climate officials have emphasized that the Arab region faces numerous challenges, including climate change, desertification, water scarcity, land and ocean degradation, forest fires, afforestation difficulties, loss of biodiversity, pollution, floods, and sandstorms.
They pointed out that addressing these challenges requires concrete steps and highlight the region’s vital role in addressing climate change and its impacts.
In a final communique following their meeting in Riyadh during the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Climate Week 2023, Arab climate ministers affirmed that emissions reduction requires a comprehensive approach to manage greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining sustainable economic growth.
They further emphasized full support for the UAE’s hosting of the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 28) due in November.
They agreed that the international community should avoid excluding major energy sources or neglecting to invest in them that may lead to challenges in energy markets and an unequal impact, especially on developing societies and countries.
They called, at the same time, for adopting a “balanced approach” to boost global economic growth closely linked to energy security and availability.
This can be through taking advantage of various energy sources and working to achieve transition to clean energy in a practical, gradual, and fair manner.
To reach the carbon neutrality target requires leveraging the Zero-carbon solutions and carbon recycling technologies across the economic sectors, stressed the ministers.
The ministers also highlighted the significance of the principles of climate agreements, notably those relating to equitability, sharing of responsibilities and understanding of the national conditions of various countries.
Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz stated that addressing developmental and environmental challenges necessitates international cooperation.
He affirmed that the Kingdom has launched two major green initiatives as part of its efforts to mitigate emissions and ensure the achievement of climate change mitigation goals.
