Yoon: UAE’s stance on carbon neutrality is commendable

The South Korean President is in the UAE on a state visit

The UAE’s bold stance towards carbon neutrality in preparation for the postoil era is commendable, and is attracting plenty of attention from not only governments but start-ups as well, South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol said in his opening remarks at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2023 yesterday.

Excerpts of his keynote speech at the opening ceremony in Abu Dhabi:

Established in honour of the vision of the UAE’s first President Shaikh Zayed in 2008, ‘Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week’ has become a valuable venue where the international community musters wisdom to build a sustainable future for humanity.

The bold steps taken by the UAE toward carbon neutrality in preparation for the postoil era is garnering the entire world’s attention.

The UAE was the first country in the Middle East to declare a carbon neutrality goal in 2021, and Abu Dhabi has been building ‘Masdar’, the world’s first zero-carbon city.

Thus, it is no longer a surprise that Abu Dhabi is now a rising hub for start-ups that envision a decarbonised economy.

The bold steps taken by the UAE toward carbon neutrality in preparation for the post-oil era is garnering the entire world’s attention.

Renewable energy

Korea has also declared its ‘2050 carbon neutrality goal’. To achieve this goal, we are working to rapidly restore the nuclear power system, which supplies carbon-free electricity, and boost the supply of clean energy, such as renewable energy and hydrogen energy.

We are sparing no support in empowering businesses in Korea to pioneer new business areas related to carbon neutrality through technological innovations. Also, cities in Korea aim to transform into smart cities by converging low-carbon energy and mobility technologies.