Latest news with #AbdullaBalalaa
Emirates 24/7
4 days ago
- Business
- Emirates 24/7
UAE boosts water investment in Africa ahead of 2026 UN water conference
On behalf of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, led the UAE delegation to the Africa Water Investment Summit, held from 13th-15th August in Cape Town, South Africa. The delegation also included Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability Affairs. Convened by the Republic of South Africa as part of its G20 Presidency and hosted in partnership with the African Union Commission, the Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP), the AU–AIP International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa, and the African Union Development Agency – NEPAD, the summit brought together world leaders with the primary aim of mobilising investment in climate-resilient water and sanitation projects to drive water security, economic growth, and sustainable development across the continent. In its capacity as co-host of the 2026 UN Water Conference, the UAE participated in this high-level gathering as a key milestone in the extensive, inclusive, and transparent preparatory process it has been leading for over a year. At the opening plenary, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan said, 'The UAE views investment in Africa's water security as an investment in global stability, prosperity, and shared climate goals. For the 2026 UN Water Conference, our vision is to bring all actors - from governments to investors - to the table, making it a platform for real agreements and measurable impact.' He added, 'The UAE's commitment to expanding access to water in Africa is rooted in a legacy inspired by our nation's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who made access to clean water and sanitation a cornerstone of his philanthropic work. This is a legacy we continue today, as demonstrated by the launch of the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative in February 2024 to address global water scarcity with innovative, cutting-edge technologies.' At the summit, Duma Boko, President of Botswana, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Global Water Changemakers Awards - an initiative that recognises global leaders demonstrating commitment and leadership in advancing climate-resilient water investments and promoting funding for a more water-secure world - presented awards to six heads of state and government. The UAE was among the recipients, honoured for its role as co-host of the 2026 UN Water Conference. The UAE's engagements at the summit also focused on preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference, including participating in a high-level ministerial roundtable and co-leading a plenary of more than 1,000 stakeholders to identify concrete deliverables on water financing and investment for the 2026 conference. The session was held in partnership with Senegal, AUDA-NEPAD, the Children's Investment Fund Foundation, the Global Climate Finance Center, and the Global Water Partnership. The summit was convened one month after the adoption of the 2026 UN Water Conference's six interactive dialogue themes by consensus, including a specific theme on 'Investments for Water'.
Emirates 24/7
18-07-2025
- Science
- Emirates 24/7
UAE attends 47th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in Milan after acceding to Antarctic Treaty in December 2024
The United Arab Emirates participated for the first time in the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM), attending the 47th session held in Milan, Italy, following its accession to the Antarctic Treaty in December 2024. The UAE delegation was led by Abdulla Balalaa, Deputy Chair of the Emirates Polar Programme (EPP) Steering Committee and Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, and attended by representatives from the EPP. The ATCM serves as the principal forum for international collaboration on Antarctica-related issues. Convened annually, the meeting brings together consultative and non-consultative parties to exchange information, explore areas of common interest, and recommend measures to advance the Treaty's objectives. This year's session saw the participation of over 400 delegations, representing 29 consultative parties, 28 non-consultative parties, as well as observers and experts. Marking the UAE's inaugural participation, Balalaa highlighted the significance of this milestone, stating, 'We are delighted to join the 47th ATCM as a new non-consultative party. This milestone reflects our nation's unwavering commitment to global cooperation and environmental stewardship. The UAE is dedicated to being proactive in preserving the cryosphere through science, innovation, and collaboration.' Underpinned by national initiatives such as the Emirates Polar Programme, the UAE continues to champion scientific advancement and multilateral collaboration, reinforcing its role as a constructive and responsible actor in addressing global environmental challenges. During the meeting, the UAE actively engaged in bilateral discussions with other countries and stakeholders, exploring opportunities for cooperation in polar research. Informal dialogues were also held to discuss collaborative approaches to advancing scientific knowledge and protecting the environment in the region. As the principal forum for Antarctic governance, the ATCM enables parties to coordinate efforts, strengthen environmental protection, and support peaceful scientific cooperation. This year's discussions addressed key themes including environmental preservation, science collaboration, operational safety, and responsible tourism in the region. The UAE's participation reflects its growing role in global environmental diplomacy and its commitment to multilateral processes that safeguard fragile ecosystems. Looking ahead, the UAE will continue its engagement in the Antarctic Treaty System, with the signing of the Environmental Protocol – a key instrument to protect Antarctica's ecosystems and promote responsible use – representing the next milestone in its contribution to preserving the continent for future generations.
Al Etihad
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Etihad
Preparations for 2026 UN Water Conference accelerate with adoption of six interactive dialogue themes
10 July 2025 09:35 NEW YORK (WAM) At a high-level preparatory meeting convened by the President of the United Nations General Assembly, Member States formally adopted, by consensus, the themes of the six interactive dialogues of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference (2026 UNWC), held in the United Arab Emirates in December next adoption marks a pivotal milestone in the lead-up to the 2026 UNWC, which aims to elevate the global water agenda and catalyse collective action and ambitions on water-related challenges. As the first UN conference focused on accelerating progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6 (ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all), the 2026 UNWC presents a vital opportunity to drive meaningful, global 2024, the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Senegal, as co-hosts of the 2026 Conference, have led a robust, inclusive consultation process involving Member States and various stakeholders, including international organisations, civil society organisations, NGOs, the private sector, and efforts were anchored by the Organisational Session held on March 3, 2025 at the UN Headquarters in New York, where initial inputs and proposals on dialogue themes were formally gathered, followed by a month-long online consultation process during which contributions and recommendations from all stakeholder groups were carefully reviewed and integrated into the development of the final themes for the interactive six themes officially adopted for the interactive dialogues are:* Water for People* Water for Prosperity* Water for Planet* Water for Cooperation* Water in Multilateral Processes* Investments for WaterAssistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, Abdulla Balalaa, stated, 'Water connects us all, and our actions must reflect that shared responsibility.' He added, 'This Conference is our moment to course-correct - to set the world on a pathway of accelerated, coordinated, and sustained water action. To demonstrate progress on clean water and access, we must leverage investments, innovation, and partnerships to secure a sustainable water future for all.'Following this milestone, the UAE and Senegal will begin the co-chairs selection process for each of the interactive selected co-chairs, working in close collaboration with the co-hosts and other stakeholders, will play a key role in shaping the thematic discussions and desired outcomes of the Conference. This selection process will conclude prior to the next major preparatory milestone scheduled to take place in Dakar, Senegal, on January 26-27, week in New York also featured a series of high-level meetings and engagements to advance the UAE's preparations and international collaboration in the lead-up to hosting the 2026 UN Water Conference, co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal, will be held in the UAE in December of next Conference aims to accelerate action toward the achievement of SDG6 and mobilise global efforts to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. As of today, 2.2 billion lack access to clean drinking water and 3.5 billion lack access to sanitation, making the 2026 UN Water Conference a timely convening for accelerating global water action.
Gulf Today
18-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
NDCs must serve as national development blueprints: UAE
Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Foreign Minister for Energy and Sustainability, led the United Arab Emirates (UAE) delegation to the Copenhagen Climate Ministerial, alongside ministers and climate leaders from around the world, to advance COP28's outputs and set the course towards COP30. Held from May 7-8, the meeting represents an important milestone, marking 10 years since the adoption of the Paris Agreement and the halfway point through the critical decade to keep the 1.5°C goal within reach. Balalaa represented the COP28 Presidency in the Troika High-Level Dialogue on Long-Term Development Planning, co-chaired by the COP28, COP29, and COP30 Presidencies. The session explored how Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) can serve as strategic instruments for sustainable development, investment mobilisation, and institutional resilience. 'As the initiators of the Troika Roadmap to Mission 1.5, the UAE firmly believes that NDCs must move beyond pledges. They must serve as national development blueprints – integrating investment, inclusion, and resilience,' said Balalaa during his intervention. On the sidelines of the meeting, Balalaa held several bilateral meetings with key partners, including the Minister of Climate Change of kingdom of Norway, Deputy Danish Minister of Energy, Climate, and Utilities; Denmark's Minister of Environment and Gender Equality. He also held several meetings with CEOs of private sector water & renewable energy companies such as Vestas the pioneer company in wind turbines, Copenhagen infrastructure partners (CIP), and AVK, one of the largest holding company in water solutions. In these engagements, Balalaa reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to leading the implementation of the Baku Climate Unity Pact, which includes initializing the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) and advancing the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG). Furthermore, the UAE emphasized its role as a climate finance pioneer, referencing its USD 100 million contributions to both the FRLD and the Global Flaring and Methane Reduction (GFMR) Fund, as well as the launch of the $30 billion ALTÉRRA platform to unlock transformational finance and catalyse private sector engagement. In addition, Balalaa highlighted the UAE's commitment to sustainable development through its co-hosting of the United Nations Water Conference 2026 (UNWC) alongside Senegal. This pivotal event will link water security, climate resilience, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The UAE views water action as inseparable from climate action and remains committed to driving global cooperation for a resilient and sustainable future for generations to come. This participation reflects the UAE's ongoing diplomatic efforts to build international support for global climate action, following the signing of the historic 'UAE Consensus,' reached at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), held in Expo City in Dubai in 2023. These endeavors aim to accelerate progress across adaptation, energy transition, and resilience in the lead-up to COP30, which will be held in Belém, Brazil the coming November. Recently, Balalaa led the UAE delegation at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue, where he participated at the annual meeting's high-level sessions, alongside the Federal Chancellor of Germany and several ministers. He also held a series of ministerial meetings in Berlin, reaffirming the UAE's commitment to international cooperation across climate action, energy transition, water resource management and sustainable development. During his visit, Balalaa met several prominent German and international officials, including Stefan Wenzel, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action; Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development; Eva Kracht, Director-General for International Affairs at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety; and Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). WAM
Al Etihad
22-03-2025
- Politics
- Al Etihad
MoFA participates in international conference to ensure sustained leadership of water crisis
22 Mar 2025 13:01 ABU DHABI (WAM)Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, participated in a ministerial meeting, convened by the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, on 'Tackling water security across the climate-nature-development nexus', to underscore the need for urgent collective action and sustained leadership on the global water also attended a reception ceremony hosted at Buckingham Palace by His Majesty King Charles III, on 'Water and Climate', in collaboration with Ministerial meeting, held a few days prior to World Water Day (March 22), was chaired by Baroness Chapman, the United Kingdom's Minister of State for International Development, Latin America and the Caribbean. It also brought together Ministers from Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria, Nepal and Bangladesh, as well as senior leaders from the European Union and key multilateral institutions and international organisations – including the European Commission, the World Bank, UNICEF, UN Water, Water Aid, and the Global Commission on the Economics of meeting aims to identify priority areas of collaboration over the next year for a systemic and responsible shift in addressing water security across the climate-nature-development the session, Balalaa highlighted the UAE's preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference, and emphasised that the event will focus on accelerating the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6, stating 'This Goal is the catalyst and enabler of all our global societal, environmental and economic goals.'Building on the discussion of the Ministerial discussions, participants agreed to leverage key moments in the year ahead to build and sustain work in providing clean water to enable the delivery of all SDGs; work in multi-stakeholder partnerships to drive scalable, innovative and inclusive solutions to the water crisis; and cooperate with existing UN processes to strengthen the integration of water within the multilateral international Ministerial meeting convened following the Organisational Session of the 2026 UN Water Conference, which took place on March 3, 2025, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, where over 70 participants – including both Member States and stakeholders – shared their recommendations for the themes of the interactive dialogues of the Conference. The themes will be decided in a preparatory meeting convened by the President of the General Assembly on July 9, 2025.
