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UAE Prepares to Host COP28 with Effective Solutions to Climate Change

FM Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed during a virtual conference for the Higher Committee overseeing preparations to host COP28 on September 13, 2022. (WAM)
FM Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed during a virtual conference for the Higher Committee overseeing preparations to host COP28 on September 13, 2022. (WAM)
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UAE Prepares to Host COP28 with Effective Solutions to Climate Change

FM Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed during a virtual conference for the Higher Committee overseeing preparations to host COP28 on September 13, 2022. (WAM)
FM Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed during a virtual conference for the Higher Committee overseeing preparations to host COP28 on September 13, 2022. (WAM)

United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed on Tuesday that his country would lead an ambitious, inclusive and solutions-oriented approach in the 2023 global climate summit.

Sheikh Abdullah, who is also the Chairman of the Higher Committee overseeing preparations to host the 28th session of the conference of the parties (COP28), said the UAE will cooperate closely with Egypt to support momentum for greater climate progress.

Egypt will host the COP27 United Nations Climate Change Conference in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh in November.

Sheikh Abdullah made the remarks during the Committee’s fourth meeting, which tackled all strategic, technical and administrative elements related to the summit.

COP 28 UAE will be particularly significant, as it will include the first Global Stocktake since the 2015 Paris Agreement, a comprehensive report card assessing progress against key global climate goals.

“The United Arab Emirates will apply its experience as a trusted global convener to ensure COP 28 UAE reflects the voices of all relevant stakeholders to achieve global consensus for practical climate progress,” said the FM.

The UAE will also leverage its track record as a clean tech innovator to deliver solutions for truly sustainable development that maximizes social and economic benefits for all, Sheikh Abdullah added.

Topics to dominate the agenda in Egypt include efforts to mitigate climate change, adapt to climate impacts, and the need for increased climate finance and clarity on loss and damage, the UAE official news agency WAM reported.

Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed al-Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Vice Chairman of the COP28 UAE Higher Committee, said the UAE’s leadership has directed the country’s delegation to COP27 to support the Egyptian presidency and build on their efforts for accelerated implementation.

The UAE has always maintained that progressive climate action has the potential to create new industries, new skills and long lasting, sustainable economic growth, he remarked.

He stressed that serving as the bridge between the global north and south, the UAE will also continue to support and emphasize the need to protect vulnerable countries and fragile communities.

In line with the UAE’s commitment to inclusive representation and engagement, the Committee also emphasized that the UAE delegation at COP27 and its entire approach to COP28 would include participants from the public and private sectors, as well as women, youth, and underrepresented communities.

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Gulf

Saudi, Swedish FMs Stress Importance of Intensifying Int’l Efforts to End Regional Escalation

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Swedish counterpart Maria Malmer Stenergard meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Swedish counterpart Maria Malmer Stenergard meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi, Swedish FMs Stress Importance of Intensifying Int’l Efforts to End Regional Escalation

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Swedish counterpart Maria Malmer Stenergard meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Swedish counterpart Maria Malmer Stenergard meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received in Riyadh on Tuesday his Swedish counterpart Maria Malmer Stenergard for talks on regional developments.

They underlined the importance of intensifying international efforts to de-escalate tensions to preserve regional peace and stability.

They FMs also tackled the bilateral relations between their countries and ways to bolster them in various fields.

Stenergard stressed Sweden’s condemnation of the Iranian attacks in the region, expressing its solidarity with the affected countries and the need for navigation to return to normal in the Strait of Hormuz.

The ministers also reviewed the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

Also on Tuesday, Prince Faisal received a telephone call from his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty to discuss regional developments.

They underscored the importance of intensifying efforts to de-escalate tensions in a manner that preserves regional peace and security.

Gulf

Swedish FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Stand in Full Solidarity with Saudi amid these Difficult Times

Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard. (Turky Al-Agili)
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard. (Turky Al-Agili)
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Swedish FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Stand in Full Solidarity with Saudi amid these Difficult Times

Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard. (Turky Al-Agili)
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard. (Turky Al-Agili)

Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard stressed her country’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia amid the difficult conditions in the region, adding that the Kingdom was a “highly valued partner and interlocutor on regional and global issues”.

In an interview to Asharq Al-Awsat, she said: “I have long planned to visit Saudi Arabia and I am very pleased to finally be here. It is important for me to be able to personally convey my government’s sincere support and solidarity with Saudi Arabia in current difficult times.”

“We commend the Kingdom’s resilience and commitment to support dialogue and peaceful solutions. Sweden and Saudi Arabia share a joint interest in global peace and stability within a rules-based international order. During my discussion with Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, I have also been able to outline Sweden’s approach to major international conflicts, including our strong support to Ukraine,” she added.

“I also wanted to meet with additional representatives in the very diverse group of Swedish or ‘Swede-tech’ companies present in Saudi Arabia, such as Envac, Getinge, TetraPak and Hitachi Energy. I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for their contribution to the impressive development of Saudi Arabia and for being excellent ambassadors of Sweden’s spirit of innovation and building a better future,” she continued.

On Saudi-Swedish relations and aspects of cooperation, Stenergard said: “Swedish- Saudi relations are excellent and ever-expanding. Saudi Arabia has for a long time been one of Sweden’s largest trading partners in the MENA region. Swedish companies, like Ericsson and ABB, have been present in the Saudi market since the 1950’s and 60’s and continue to bring jobs to Saudis across the Kingdom.”

US-Israel war on Iran

On the US-Israel war on Iran, she said: “Sweden views the situation with great concern. Sweden’s position is clear: we urge all parties to continue talks and pursue a diplomatic solution.”

“There is a strong global urge and interest that these efforts, as soon as possible, lead to sustainable peace. Any final arrangement must address key concerns, such free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, ensuring that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons and that Iran does not pose a threat to regional and international security,” she stated.

On whether Sweden would be involved in ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb strait, she replied: “Sweden is engaged in efforts to uphold freedom of navigation in the region, such as the French British initiative, together with Saudi Arabia.”

“We continue to assess how Sweden can best contribute. As a member of the European Union, Sweden contributes to the EU led Operation Aspides in the Red Sea, which aims to safeguard maritime security and ensure continued freedom of navigation through key waterways such as the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb strait,” Stenergard went on to say.

NATO summit

Asked about the outcomes of the recent NATO summit in Sweden, she told Asharq Al-Awsat: “Sweden is happy to have hosted a productive meeting of the NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Helsingborg. The meeting was an important milestone on the road to the NATO Summit in Ankara.”

“We are pleased that Sweden could facilitate a meeting that allowed for open and constructive discussions. Hosting our first NATO meeting at ministerial level is an expression of Sweden’s ambition to be an active and constructive NATO ally,” she added.

Lebanon-Israel negotiations

Turning to the future of the Israeli and Lebanese negotiations, she stressed that she was “deeply concerned about the situation on the ground, including the large-scale demolition of villages in southern Lebanon, and the very large number of internally displaced people.”

“The Swedish position is clear: the ceasefire must be respected and talks on a long-term solution need to continue. Israel must withdraw from Lebanese territory and respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” she demanded.

“At the same time, a sustainable peace requires the disarmament of Hezbollah, in line with UN Security Council resolutions and decisions by the Lebanese government. There can only be a diplomatic solution to this conflict,” she said.

Gulf

Oman, Kuwait Support Stability, Dialogue to Tackle Regional Challenges

Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi and his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah sign the MoU during their meeting on Monday. (ONA)
Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi and his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah sign the MoU during their meeting on Monday. (ONA)
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Oman, Kuwait Support Stability, Dialogue to Tackle Regional Challenges

Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi and his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah sign the MoU during their meeting on Monday. (ONA)
Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi and his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah sign the MoU during their meeting on Monday. (ONA)

Oman and Kuwait stressed on Monday the importance of maintaining coordination and consultations, bolstering security and stability, and supporting dialogue and diplomacy to tackle challenges in the region.

The countries held the 11th session of the Oman-Kuwait Joint Committee in Al Jabal Al Akhdar in Oman. It was chaired by Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi and his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah.

The meeting addressed the deep-rooted fraternal relations between their countries. The officials discussed ways to boost bilateral cooperation in a number of fields to serve common interests, in translation of the aspirations of the wise leaderships of Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, reported Oman’s state news agency ONA.

Al Busaidi said that the meeting was held in implementation of the supreme directives of the leaderships of the two countries, calling for deepening bilateral cooperation, particularly in the economic, commercial, cultural, and scientific fields, and exchanging expertise to achieve greater integration and partnership between Oman and Kuwait.

He pointed out that the regular convening of the joint committee reflects the attention and care it receives from the leaderships of both countries, and embodies the joint commitment to strengthening its role as an effective institutional framework to propel cooperative relations toward more advanced and comprehensive levels.

For his part, Sheikh Jarrah stressed that the two countries' celebration this year of the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic relations reflects the development and growth of their ties.

The FMs said that Omani-Kuwaiti relations are a model of sincere fraternal bonds among the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

They signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of cybersecurity, and an executive program in the field of standardization.