Global collaboration paves the way for a new era of climate action

Editor's note: The 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) is underway in Baku, Azerbaijan. Following the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) historic hosting of COP28 and its commitment to net zero by 2050, what role does the UAE play in supporting COP29 discussions? CGTN conducted a written interview with His Excellency Abdulla Balalaa, the UAE's assistant minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, where he discussed the UAE's vision for COP29 and global climate leadership, the potential of UAE-China collaboration in climate action, among other things.

CGTN: Following the UAE's historic hosting of COP28 and its commitment to net zero by 2050, what lessons from that presidency will guide your approach in supporting COP29 discussions? How does the UAE plan to amplify its leadership role in fostering tangible progress on global climate action?

H.E. Abdulla Balalaa: Last year at COP28 in Dubai, 198 Parties came together to deliver the historic UAE Consensus and usher in a new era of climate action. The Consensus, resulting from a year of inclusive diplomatic engagements and two weeks of intense negotiations, mirrored the COP28 presidency's commitment to provide the most ambitious response to the Global Stocktake and fulfill the core objectives of the Paris Agreement.

The COP28 presidency took bold and decisive steps to deliver beyond the negotiated text through its "Action Agenda," which spanned the four pillars of the Paris Agreement: fast-tracking a just and orderly energy transition; fixing climate finance to make it more available, affordable and accessible; focusing on people, nature, lives and livelihoods; and fostering full inclusivity in climate action.

COP29 is a climate action opportunity to enhance our collective global ambitions further, elevate more voices and enable action. Dialogue and international collaboration are vital for building climate resilience as we accelerate action together.

CGTN: Both the UAE and China have demonstrated strong leadership in advancing renewable energy transitions, with landmark projects such as the UAE's Al Dhafrah Solar Power Project and China's global investments in solar and wind energy. How can the UAE and China strengthen collaboration in green hydrogen development, carbon capture technologies and sustainable infrastructure? What role do platforms like COP29 play in fostering this partnership for mutual and global benefit?

H.E. Abdulla Balalaa: Both the UAE and China enjoy a longstanding and comprehensive partnership. That relationship represents a clear commitment to build on the progress of COP28 and now COP29 for global climate resilience and beyond.

The Al Dhafra Solar Project, where Chinese enterprises have played a key role in bringing this "energy oasis" to life, is one example. Generating electricity for hundreds of thousands of Dubai residents helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 2.4 million tons annually. This year, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority unveiled plans to strengthen collaboration with Chinese companies, particularly in catalyst projects. The fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, one of the largest single-site solar parks in the world, commenced commercial cooperation in February 2024 and is expected to reduce 1.6 million tons of carbon emissions every year.

Both the UAE and China are accelerating green and low-carbon development globally, with a focus on emerging economies and the Global South. For instance, China's increase in climate financing for climate-fragile regions through initiatives such as the China South-South Climate Cooperation Fund, is supporting hundreds of climate adaptation and resilience projects.

Meanwhile, UAE initiatives such as the Global Climate Financial Center and the $30 billion private investment vehicle Alterra – set to mobilize $250 billion in institutional investment by 2030 – seek to finance global climate solutions at scale and guide institutional investors toward impact investments.

These initiatives are emblematic of a strong, shared vision between the UAE and China to establish actionable, global partnerships that drive the energy transition. Furthermore, they demonstrate how both countries can elevate ambitions for climate action through partnership and build a more resilient future through the vitality of collective climate action leadership.

CGTN: The establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund at COP28 was a major milestone. From the UAE's perspective, what mechanisms should be prioritized to ensure the fund becomes operational and effectively supports vulnerable nations? How can the UAE's experience in climate financing contribute to ensuring its implementation?

H.E. Abdulla Balalaa: The historic agreement to operationalize and capitalize funding for the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) emerged on the first day of COP28. It supports those on the frontlines of climate change, with more than $850 million pledged in the first 48 hours of its launch. COP29 sees the FRLD move into the operational phase, accepting contributions for anticipated project financings in 2025.

CGTN: As a regional leader and a bridge between developed and developing countries, how can the UAE enhance collaboration among Middle Eastern nations to address shared climate challenges? What specific initiatives might be explored to boost regional resiliency and sustainability?

H.E. Abdulla Balalaa: The UAE is committed to driving climate action through constructive international collaboration. Climate action can usher in a new era of sustainable economic and social growth, creating a low-carbon future, which is a major focus for our region. We share many similar climate challenges and are constantly exploring avenues to foster greater collaboration on projects throughout the Middle East.

In October this year, the UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), hosted an interactive workshop in Dubai. The UAE will host the first Regional Center of Excellence for Transforming Food Systems as a result, designed to accelerate innovation and strategic transformation in food systems across the region.

We also look forward to participating in the upcoming 16th session of the Conference of the Parties of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and working together through regional partnerships to reduce and reverse land degradation, catalyze land restoration, strengthen biodiversity conservation, and ensure water security.

CGTN: With water resiliency emerging as a critical issue in the face of climate change, what innovative strategies is your country employing to enhance sustainable water management? How can these solutions be adapted for global application, especially in other arid and semi-arid regions?

H.E. Abdulla Balalaa: The UAE has had a unique relationship with water since its earliest days. The UAE Water Security Strategy 2036 aims to reuse 95 percent of treated water and supply over 75 percent of drinking water through reverse osmosis by 2036. Signature initiatives, such as the Taweelah Reverse Osmosis facility in Abu Dhabi and the Hassyan sea water desalination project, are actively using low-carbon technologies and renewable energy, such as solar, to provide high-quality water while preserving pivotal resources.

In Dubai last year, 198 countries and regions emphasized the critical importance of water at COP28, from protecting freshwater ecosystems, enhancing urban water resilience, to transforming food systems. Forty-seven countries, along with the European Union, also joined the UAE in the launch of the Freshwater Challenge, committing to protect and restore 30 percent of degraded freshwater ecosystems by 2030. These programs demonstrate how water innovations with a holistic global approach can bring together experts, innovators, and community leaders to co-create vital solutions.

In this regard, the UAE and Senegal will co-host the upcoming 2026 UN Water Conference, bringing together a variety of diverse voices, from governments to indigenous communities and the private sector, to explore ways to implement Sustainable Development Goal 6 with access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene for all.

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