Abu Dhabi Calls for Speeding up Sustainable Development through Practical Initiatives

Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council. (WAM)
Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council. (WAM)
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Abu Dhabi Calls for Speeding up Sustainable Development through Practical Initiatives

Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council. (WAM)
Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council. (WAM)

The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit got underway on Tuesday as part of ADSW 2021, the global platform for accelerating the pace of sustainable development.

Hosted by Masdar, the event is being held virtually this year due to restriction in place to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, welcomed the leaders, officials and experts participating in the sessions of this year’s summit to discuss how to enact a “green recovery” to help economies rebound from the pandemic and build a more sustainable future for all, reported the UAE news agency (WAM).

Sheikh Hazza emphasized that the UAE is continuing its efforts under the leadership of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and support of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to stimulate sustainable development.

He said ADSW is particularly relevant this year as it represents a global platform for dialogue and setting the sustainable development agenda based on the principles of the green recovery.

Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed said: “In light of the exceptional circumstances that the world is experiencing, there is an urgent need to take practical steps and initiatives that contribute to accelerating the application of the principles and foundations of sustainable development, with the need to take proactive steps, plan for a more flexible future and strengthen capabilities in order to efficiently face the existing and emerging challenges.”

“The Emirati initiatives, present to the world a practical model on the economic feasibility of renewable energy, stressing the importance of cooperation and joint work to achieve tangible progress in the field of reducing the repercussions of climate change.”

Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed said that Abu Dhabi continues, year after year, to consolidate its position and pivotal role as a platform that brings together the international community to discuss key issues in sustainability. He said that he hoped that this year’s ADSW would be the starting point for constructive global dialogue on building a secure and stable future for current and future generations.

As well as the Summit, ADSW, which runs from January 18-21, hosts a series of high-level virtual activities, including the General Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Abu Dhabi Forum for Sustainable Finance, and the Global Energy Forum of the Atlantic Council. the virtual forum for the “Youth for Sustainability” platform, and the World Future Energy Summit forums.



Oil Prices Headed for Rebound This Week as US-China Trade Talks Resume

FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks pump oil at an oil field on the shores of the Caspian Sea in Baku, Azerbaijan, October 5, 2017. Picture taken October 5, 2017. REUTERS/Grigory Dukor/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks pump oil at an oil field on the shores of the Caspian Sea in Baku, Azerbaijan, October 5, 2017. Picture taken October 5, 2017. REUTERS/Grigory Dukor/File Photo
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Oil Prices Headed for Rebound This Week as US-China Trade Talks Resume

FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks pump oil at an oil field on the shores of the Caspian Sea in Baku, Azerbaijan, October 5, 2017. Picture taken October 5, 2017. REUTERS/Grigory Dukor/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks pump oil at an oil field on the shores of the Caspian Sea in Baku, Azerbaijan, October 5, 2017. Picture taken October 5, 2017. REUTERS/Grigory Dukor/File Photo

Oil prices slipped on Friday but were on track for their first weekly gain in three weeks after US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping resumed trade talks, raising hopes for growth and stronger demand in the world's two largest economies.

Brent crude futures fell 11 cents, or 0.2%, to $65.23 a barrel as of 0634 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude gave up 12 cents, also 0.2%, to $63.25, after gaining around 50 cents on Thursday, Reuters said.

On a weekly basis, both benchmarks were on track to settle higher after falling for two straight weeks. Brent has advanced 2.1% this week, while WTI is trading 4% higher.

China's official Xinhua news agency said trade talks between Xi and Trump took place at Washington's request. Trump said the call had led to a "very positive conclusion," adding the US was "in very good shape with China and the trade deal."

Canada also continued trade talks with the US, with Prime Minister Mark Carney in direct contact with Trump, according to Industry Minister Melanie Joly.

The oil market continued to swing with news on tariff negotiations and data showing how trade uncertainty and the impact of the US levies are flowing through into the global economy.

"The potential for increased US sanctions in Venezuela to limit crude exports and the potential for Israeli strike on Iranian infrastructure add to upside risks for prices," analysts at BMI, a Fitch affiliate, said in a note on Friday.

"But both weaker demand for oil and increased production from both OPEC+ and non-OPEC producers will add to downside price pressures in the coming quarters."