The meeting reviewed the action plan and the implementation mechanisms of each of its focus areas for the next four years. The focus areas include climate change, green development, green financing, coordination of municipal affairs, environmental coordination, partnership with private sector, capacity building, awareness, education, and international relations.

In addition, the participants discussed the biodiversity strategy of the UAE National Climate Change Plan, the UAE Green Agenda, the National Environmental Awareness and Education Strategy, as well as community and local agriculture priorities. Various programs and initiatives for 2017 in support of the UAE Green Growth Strategy were also on the agenda.

The Council also discussed the outcomes of the national plan adopted at the first meeting, the most important of which is to reduce and adapt to the impacts of climate change by setting clear targets for reducing harmful emissions and carbon footprint.

His Excellency Al Zeyoudi said: “The agenda of the UAE Council for Climate Change and Environment stems from the UAE leadership’s vision to adopt best international practices to promote sustainable lifestyle in the country.”

He added: “We have discussed the mechanisms for implementing the Council’s national environmental plan for the next four years to contribute to the UAE’s relentless efforts to identify solutions to pressing current and future environmental challenges. Cooperation with the private sector is essential to instill a culture of sustainability among the country’s citizens and residents, and to preserve our environment for future generations.”

The national environmental plan includes the preparation and implementation of a national strategy to facilitate better adaptation to climate change, a low-carbon development program in collaboration with the private sector, and various measures related to the UAE Green Agenda.

The meeting drew the participation of senior officials from several ministries in the UAE. These included Yacoub Yousef Al Hosani, Assistant Minister for International Organization Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Engineer Ibrahim Al Wahabi Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Abdulla Sultan Alfan Alshamsi, Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Affairs at the Ministry of Economy, Khalid Ali Al Bustani, Assistant Undersecretary for International Financial Relations at the Ministry of Finance, and Engineer Fatima Mohammed Al Foora Al Shamsi, Assistant Undersecretary for Electricity and Water Affairs at the Ministry of Energy. Local authorities were represented by Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary General of Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Khalifa Mohammad Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary at the Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport of Abu Dhabi, Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality, Ahmed Butti Muhairbi, Secretary General at the Supreme Council for Taqah – Dubai, Salem Mohammed Al Naqbi, Head of the Sharjah Department of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture, Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority, Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Director General of Ajman Municipality and Planning Department, Engineer Khalid Mueen Al Hosani, Executive Director of the Public Health and Environment Sector at Ajman Municipality and Planning Department, Munther Mohammed bin Shekar, Director General of Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, Obaid Sultan Towarish, Acting Director General of Umm Al Quwain Municipality, Engineer Yousef Jassem Al-Mansouri, Deputy Director of the Department of Planning and Survey – Umm Al Quwain, Engineer Mohammed Saif Al Afkham, Director General of Fujairah Municipality, and Engineer Hassan Salem Al Yamahi, Director General of Dibba Fujairah Municipality. Private sector representatives included Essa Abdulla Al Ghurair, Chairman of Al Ghurair Resources, Dr Dalya Al Muthanna, President and CEO of GE Gulf, May Ibrahim Bumajeed, Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at National Bank of Abu Dhabi, and Ibrahim Al Zu'bi, Head of Sustainability at Majid Al Futtaim Group.