During the national statement to the United Nations Water Conference
UAE renews commitment to sustainability and global climate and highlights hosting COP28
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Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, delivered the UAE's national statement at the United Nations Water Conference 2023, which concludes today in New York City, USA.
Maryam Al Mheiri is heading the UAE delegation to the United Nations Water Conference, which aims to highlight the importance of water, activate that file on the global agenda, and accelerate work to achieve the sixth goal of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
During her speech at the conference, Al Muhairi affirmed the UAE's commitment to sustainability and global climate, responsible water management and addressing water scarcity through diversification, conservation and innovation, and highlighted the country's hosting of COP28 this year, which aims to bring together all stakeholders through a fruitful agenda and discussion on finding solutions to global climate challenges.
"As our founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, taught us, water is not just a commodity, it is our lifeline," Al Muhairi said. At the same time, she pointed out that the UAE is working with all its partners to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially the sixth goal of ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation services for all, in addition to accelerating progress during the "International Decade of Action for Water".
Al Muhairi added: "Rational water management is an issue of paramount importance to the UAE. "This is vital for a country with an average rainfall ten times lower than the global average, as well as limited freshwater resources, a growing population and a growing economy."
Maryam Al Mheiri highlighted the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, which aims to ensure continuous and sustainable access to water, addressing both the dimensions of supply, demand and emergency handling in the water supply chain, and its endeavor to reduce potable water consumption by 20% and increase the reuse of treated water to 95%, in addition to the strategy's contribution to achieving the UAE's climate neutrality goals by 2050.
The UAE is developing and expanding desalination projects based on reverse osmosis technology while expanding the share of clean and renewable energy in desalination to reduce the environmental impact of this activity. The country is also making significant progress in reducing water loss and consumption through green building and product standards, water tariff reform, and public awareness initiatives.
In her speech to the UN Water Conference, Al Muhairi explained that innovation is key if we are to meet the challenges posed by water and take advantage of the opportunities it provides. Agriculture consumes about 70% of the world's total freshwater, and innovation is the key to shifting to a more sustainable path.
In this regard, Al Muhairi said that the UAE is working to strengthen its position in the development of climate-smart agriculture and food systems, which has pushed the UAE towards adopting modern agricultural solutions such as hydroponics and vertical farming.
Referring to the UAE-US Agricultural Innovation for Climate Initiative initiative, she said: "This initiative allocates US$8 billion to invest in climate-smart agriculture and food systems that will enhance long-term water security for all countries. These innovative approaches help land and food systems reduce emissions, promote adaptation and resilience, and promote overall sustainability."