UAE first to join World Green Economy Organisation

MARRAKESH — Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Cabinet Member and Minister of Climate Change and Environment, has announced that the UAE is now the first member of the World Green Economy Organisation (WGEO).

“The green economy for sustainable development initiative launched in 2012, and the Green Agenda 2015-2030, set the course for our economic growth ambitions, social development priorities and environmental sustainability goals,” Dr Al Zeyoudi said.

He said the advancement of the UAE’s green economy efforts couldn’t have been made without the strong support from the United Nations and relevant international organisations.

Most notably, the minister mentioned the Global Green Growth Institute, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Green Growth Knowledge Platform, the Partnership for Action on Green Economy, the United Nations Development Programme and the International Renewable Energy Agency.

“I am confident that through the WGEO, we will have significant impact on knowledge and experience sharing which would help to overcome common challenges and to ensure successful achievement of our common green economy goals,” he said.

Dr Al Zeyoudi made these remarks during the announcement of the global launch of the WGEO at the 22nd session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, chairman of the board of directors of the WGEO and vicechairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, said that the WGEO will support the implementation of the Paris Agreement and increase global awareness on climate change to enhance the shift towards a green economy.