Latest news with #UnitedNationsWaterConference
Al Etihad
5 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Department of Energy – Abu Dhabi, Global Climate Finance Centre sign MoU on energy, water efficiency, climate finance
29 May 2025 17:00 ABU DHABI (WAM)The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Global Climate Finance Centre (GCFC).The agreement was signed during the 2025 World Utilities Congress, at a high-level consultation co-convened by the DoE and GCFC in preparation for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference. GCFC has been formally mandated to lead the Finance Track of the agreement was witnessed by Dr. Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Department of Energy (DoE), and Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and memorandum was signed by Ahmed Al Falasi, Energy Efficiency Sector Executive Director, and Mercedes Vela Monserrate CEO of GCFC, in the presence of several directors and senior officials from both this occasion, Ahmed Al Falasi, Energy Efficiency Sector Executive Director, stated, 'This agreement represents a strategic milestone in our ongoing efforts to drive the transition toward a sustainable economic model that helps address climate change challenges. We recognise the importance of activating partnerships with leading institutions such as the Global Climate Finance Centre, given their pivotal role in enhancing our capacity to develop pioneering projects and enabling innovative and flexible financing solutions that benefit both the economy and society.'He added, 'We look forward to implementing high-impact initiatives through this collaboration, starting with supporting projects such as 'Cooling as a Service', and moving toward building an effective ecosystem that includes government entities, the private sector, and the community at large.''As we look ahead to the 2026 UN Water Conference, which the UAE will co-host, we are committed to deepening partnerships that deliver measurable progress and scalable innovation in energy and water efficiency, in line with our national priorities.'Mercedes Vela Monserrate, CEO of GCFC, stated, 'This agreement reflects the work already underway between GCFC and the Department of Energy to develop financing mechanisms for energy and water efficiency. It also formalises our collaboration as we lead the Finance Track for the 2026 UN Water Conference. Our focus is on mobilising capital, supporting regulatory frameworks, and delivering practical solutions through a strong pipeline of investable projects.'The MoU seeks to strengthen bilateral partnership through support for the implementation of Abu Dhabi's Finance Strategy and reinforce the Emirate's position as a leading hub for climate finance and innovation. It also aims to build institutional capacities, exchange knowledge and information, and scale financing for energy and water efficiency projects, including behavioral change and environmental conservation MoU outlines specific areas of cooperation, including: Development of financing instruments for energy and water efficiency infrastructure; Capital structuring tools such as guarantees, linked loans, and bond frameworks; Technical support and capacity-building for regulators, project developers, and financial institutions; Policy and regulatory alignment to support investment-readiness; High-level convenings to support pipeline development and institutional coordination. GCFC and the DoE will also work together to align financing solutions with Abu Dhabi's strategic priorities and help position the Emirate as a regional leader in climate finance.
Sharjah 24
28-03-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
UAE joins high-level sessions at Petersberg Climate Dialogue
Ministerial meetings and reaffirmation of UAE's commitment Balalaa held a series of ministerial meetings in Berlin, reaffirming the UAE's commitment to international cooperation in climate action, energy transition, water resource management, and sustainable development. Key discussions with prominent officials During his visit, Balalaa met with prominent German and international officials, including Stefan Wenzel, Jochen Flasbarth, Eva Kracht, and Simon Stiell. The discussions focused on enhancing multilateral climate efforts, advancing COP28 outcomes, and exploring cooperation opportunities between the UAE and Germany in clean energy and climate finance. Addressing the 2026 UN Water Conference The meetings also addressed preparations for the UAE's co-hosting of the United Nations Water Conference in 2026, emphasizing water's critical role in achieving climate goals and boosting resilience to climate change. UAE's commitment to global climate action Abdulla Balalaa stated that the UAE is committed to working closely with global partners to accelerate climate action and the energy transition. He highlighted the importance of water in enhancing resilience to climate change and ensuring natural resource security. UAE's leadership in global climate diplomacy The visit comes as part of the UAE's leadership in global climate diplomacy following the successful hosting of COP28 and its ongoing efforts to drive progress toward climate neutrality. The meetings reinforced the UAE's role as a strategic partner in international sustainability, energy, and water resource management.
Al Etihad
11-03-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE, EU strengthen cooperation on energy, climate, water in lead-up to COP30, 2026 UN Water Conference
7 Mar 2025 20:48 BRUSSELS (WAM)Abdulla Ahmed Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, concluded a two-day trip, from the 6-7 March, to the European Union (EU) in Brussels, where he met with senior officials and stakeholders in the energy and water the meetings, Abdulla Balalaa reaffirmed the UAE's close partnership with the EU, focusing on aligning efforts, cooperation and achieving progress in the fields of renewable energy, energy efficiency and water visit followed the 2026 United Nations Water Conference (UNWC26) Organisational Session in New York and coincides with EU Ocean Days in Brussels. During the visit, he was invited to take part in the EU's consultative process on reviewing the EU's water resilience the consultative process, Balalaa highlighted the launch of the 2026 UNWC process, outlined the UAE's priorities for the conference and invited the international community to take part in working towards advancing innovative, inclusive and scalable solutions to water further affirmed the UAE's commitment to deepening its cooperation with the EU in advancing climate action, energy transition, water resilience, and global sustainability. He also highlighted that discussions in Brussels were instrumental in driving forward the climate adaptation and energy related commitments made at the 28thConference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), which was held in Dubai in 2023, to ensure strong alignment with the EU ahead of the UN Ocean Conference 2025, COP30, and the 2026 UN Water visit included meetings with a number of EU officials and the European Investment Bank (EIB) reinforcing bilateral relations to explore the potential to expand investments in clean energy, infrastructure, and water met with European Commission representatives: Ditte Juul-Jørgensen, Director-General for Energy; Florika Fink-Hooijer, Director-General of Environment; Kurt Vandenberghe, Director-General Climate Action; and Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, in addition to representatives from the European External Action Service (EEAS). The discussions focused on advancing joint efforts in water sustainability in the lead-up to 2026 UNWC, broader climate adaptation strategies, mitigating climate change, and enhancing cooperation ahead of the UN Ocean Conference 2025 in France.
Hi Dubai
10-03-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
UAE Strengthens EU Partnerships in Renewable Energy and Water Sustainability
Abdulla Ahmed Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, completed a productive two-day visit to Brussels, from March 6-7, to meet with senior officials and stakeholders in the energy and water sectors. The visit underscored the UAE's commitment to advancing its collaboration with the European Union (EU) in key areas such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and water resilience. Balalaa's meetings came on the heels of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference (UNWC26) Organisational Session in New York and coincided with the EU's Ocean Days. During his visit, he was invited to participate in the EU's consultative process on reviewing the EU's water resilience strategy. At the consultative session, Balalaa emphasized the UAE's priorities for the 2026 UNWC and urged the international community to contribute to scalable and inclusive solutions for global water challenges. He also highlighted the UAE's ongoing commitment to advancing climate action, energy transition, and water resilience in collaboration with the EU, aligning efforts made during the COP28 conference in Dubai with future global sustainability goals. The discussions also involved strengthening ties with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to explore investment opportunities in clean energy, infrastructure, and water sustainability. Balalaa met with several EU officials, including Ditte Juul-Jørgensen, Director-General for Energy, and Kurt Vandenberghe, Director-General for Climate Action, to reinforce the UAE's role in driving global climate adaptation and sustainability initiatives. The visit set the stage for increased cooperation ahead of pivotal international events such as the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in France and the 2026 UN Water Conference. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Zawya
10-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
UAE, EU strengthen cooperation on energy, climate, water in lead-up to COP30, 2026 UN Water Conference
BRUSSELS: Abdulla Ahmed Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, concluded a two-day trip, from the 6-7 March, to the European Union (EU) in Brussels, where he met with senior officials and stakeholders in the energy and water sectors. During the meetings, Abdulla Balalaa reaffirmed the UAE's close partnership with the EU, focusing on aligning efforts, cooperation and achieving progress in the fields of renewable energy, energy efficiency and water resilience. Balalaa's visit followed the 2026 United Nations Water Conference (UNWC26) Organisational Session in New York and coincides with EU Ocean Days in Brussels. During the visit, he was invited to take part in the EU's consultative process on reviewing the EU's water resilience strategy. At the consultative process, Balalaa highlighted the launch of the 2026 UNWC process, outlined the UAE's priorities for the conference and invited the international community to take part in working towards advancing innovative, inclusive and scalable solutions to water challenges. He further affirmed the UAE's commitment to deepening its cooperation with the EU in advancing climate action, energy transition, water resilience, and global sustainability. He also highlighted that discussions in Brussels were instrumental in driving forward the climate adaptation and energy related commitments made at the 28thConference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), which was held in Dubai in 2023, to ensure strong alignment with the EU ahead of the UN Ocean Conference 2025, COP30, and the 2026 UN Water Conference. The visit included meetings with a number of EU officials and the European Investment Bank (EIB) reinforcing bilateral relations to explore the potential to expand investments in clean energy, infrastructure, and water sustainability. Balalaa met with European Commission representatives: Ditte Juul-Jørgensen, Director-General for Energy; Florika Fink-Hooijer, Director-General of Environment; Kurt Vandenberghe, Director-General Climate Action; and Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, in addition to representatives from the European External Action Service (EEAS). The discussions focused on advancing joint efforts in water sustainability in the lead-up to 2026 UNWC, broader climate adaptation strategies, mitigating climate change, and enhancing cooperation ahead of the UN Ocean Conference 2025 in France.
