US, UAE climate envoys to advance collaboration on technology, investment
February 1, 2021, 11:00 am

US, UAE climate envoys to advance collaboration on technology, investment

UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, left, and US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry during a virtual call. (WAM)

Envoys of the United States and United Arab Emirates discussed new opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the fight against climate change on Sunday, agreeing to set up bilateral groups to accelerate progress toward global climate goals.

US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber “agreed to set up bilateral working groups…to advance their shared agenda, accelerate progress toward global climate goals and contribute to regional and global sustainable development,” according to Emirati state news agency WAM.

Al Jaber told Kerry during the virtual conversation that the UAE “welcomes the new US administration’s sharpened focus on climate change,” WAM reported.

Participants are seen in silhouette as they look at a screen showing a world map with climate anomalies during the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21) in Paris. (File photo: Reuters)

Kerry said he is looking forward to “strong and productive collaboration” with the UAE on technology, investment, and regional leadership.

“I look forward to strong & productive collaboration on tech, investment, and regional leadership as we work together to ensure global action on deep decarbonization,” Kerry said in a tweet.

https://twitter.com/ClimateEnvoy/status/1356089896734253056

US President Joe Biden tapped Kerry for the presidential climate envoy position – the first of its kind in the US - in November.

Kerry previously held the position of Secretary of State under President Barak Obama and helped broker the 2015 Paris Climate Accord.

Biden signed an executive order on January 20 for the US to rejoin the Paris Climate Accord, which predecessor President Donald Trump withdrew the country from in 2020.

US President Joe Biden signs executive orders as part of the Covid-19 response in the State Dining Room of the White House, Jan. 21, 2021. (AFP)

Al Jaber was appointed to the position of UAE Special Envoy for Climate by the government cabinet in November.

Both climate envoys are set to participate in the UN Climate Change Conference later this year.

source: Emily Judd

Levant

After Brexit, What Next for the Brexit Party? Israel is now officially part of the Middle East – at least in the Pentagon’s eyes

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.