Abu Dhabi: Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, represented the UAE at the UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals (CETM) in Nairobi, Kenya.
The UN CETM Panel focused on developing global voluntary guiding principles on critical minerals, emphasizing the need for stronger international cooperation to achieve collective benefits in the mining industry.
Balalaa praised the panel’s outcomes, highlighting the urgent need to maintain the 1.5°C global temperature target and prepare for net zero emissions. He emphasized the importance of sustainable policies and practices in climate action to protect local communities from environmental harm caused by mining.
He also stressed the need for building broader confidence to achieve transformational outcomes, enabling mineral-rich countries to foster economic growth. Responsible investment in the mining sector, he noted, is crucial to support these countries and ensure a smooth transition to renewable and clean energy.
The UAE continues to demonstrate its commitment to climate action both domestically and internationally. The country has announced it will co-host the 2026 UN Water Conference with Senegal, following the success of hosting COP28 in 2023.
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