Dr Nawal Al-Hosany is permanent representative of the UAE to the International Renewable Energy Agency
August 28, 2023
As we fast approach Cop28 this year, we must look to our key drivers of collaboration to help build and deliver global consensus on tangible, concrete next steps to keep 1.5°C within reach. Those key drivers I am referring to are, of course, Emirati women.
Emirati Women’s Day is not only an opportunity for us to celebrate the example set by our women and girls. It is also a chance to show the international community what we are capable of when we work together – especially when it comes to setting the energy transition and climate action agenda.
The theme for this year’s Emirati Women’s Day, which arrives just less than 100 days ahead of Cop28, is: “We Collaborate for Tomorrow.” It is an apt description for the role Emirati women have played since our nation’s inception.
One such recent example comes from Abu Dhabi this year, when the “Climate Change and Gender Equality” initiative was born. Spearheaded by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General Women’s Union and the UN Women Liaison Office for the GCC, this initiative underlines the UAE’s proactive approach to two intertwined challenges: climate change and gender equality.
Set to facilitate dialogues about the intersectionality between gender and climate, the initiative will address topics such as the differential impacts of extreme weather patterns on women and girls, the role women play in climate decision making, and the specific needs and viewpoints of women and girls in frontline communities, in the context of a changing climate.
This collaboration between the UAE and UN Women is an example of how international partnerships can amplify local efforts, which Mouza Al Shehhi, director of the UN Women’s liaison office in the region, underscored when the initiative was launched.
Dr Mouza Al Shehhi, director of the UN Women - Liaison Office for the GCC, speaking at the International Conference on Women, Peace and Security in Abu Dhabi. Ruel Pableo for The National
One of the reasons more Emirati women are leading climate partnerships is the rising interest and participation of UAE citizens in Stem fields
The foresight and leadership of Emirati women in bringing this initiative to the world is symbolic of a wider pattern in our society: prominent Emirati women have become beacons of climate progress.
As the UAE gears up for Cop28, it’s clear to see that Emirati women are not just active participants on this journey to a climate resilient, sustainable future, but key drivers and shapers of it. The global community stands to benefit from such an inclusive approach.
While representing the UAE on the international stage, I have witnessed first-hand how Emirati women are some of the most compelling champions for collaboration. At Cop27, my female colleagues, who made up a significant portion of the UAE’s 1,000-strong delegation, were instrumental in negotiations, dialogues and agreements with our international counterparts, including an MoU with Egypt to develop one of the world’s largest onshore wind projects.
It was clear then, as it is now, that Emirati women play a central role in global climate diplomacy, focusing their efforts to foster collaboration among nations.
Today, women account for more than a third of leadership positions in the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, which is a key mediator in global climate action efforts.
But these leadership roles are by no means recent. Emirati women leaders have always been part of the fabric of the Emirates. The 2020 Women in Sustainability Report found that Emirati women-led delegations had been crucial in forging more than 20 international environmental treaties and agreements.
One of the reasons more Emirati women are leading climate partnerships is the rising interest and participation of UAE citizens in Stem fields, which is helping to fuel the UAE’s emergence as a global powerhouse in renewable energy.
Over the past decade, there has been a 77 per cent increase in the participation of Emirati women in Stem fields. Today, Unesco figures indicate 61 per cent of Stem graduates in the UAE are women, compared to an average 57 per cent in the rest of the Arab world.
Perhaps it is not surprising then to know that women – including Emiratis – now account for about a quarter of the UAE’s nuclear energy sector. That’s one of the highest industry percentages globally.
Emirati women not only occupy vital technical roles in sectors such as nuclear, solar and wind, but sit at the helm of the country’s renewable energy agenda. In fact, they have occupied lead roles in more than 50 per cent of the country’s renewable energy initiatives.
In these roles, Emirati women have been responsible for fostering important international collaborations that brought advanced technology to the region and supported the progress of renewable energy projects locally and abroad.
Students from Abu Dhabi high schools work in a 3D printing workshop in Abu Dhabi. The programme attracts Emirati students for hands-on workshops that aim to motivate the students to pursue Stem education. Silvia Razgova for The National
Beyond renewable energy, women have been at the heart of the UAE’s progress towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Through both domestic and international collaborations, Emirati women have championed sustainable development by shaping the sustainability dialogue, developing clean energy solutions and the development of smart cities.
The 2020 Women in Sustainability report noted that projects led by Emirati women resulted in a 30 per cent increase in sustainable urban development initiatives in the previous five years – often in collaboration with international partners and led by the UAE National Committee on SDGs.
The rich experiences of collaboration the many thousands of Emirati women have acquired in our national history have positioned them uniquely for leadership in climate and energy sectors.
These experiences, combined with their skill and ability to mobilise stakeholders, have produced some of the world’s most influential leaders in climate diplomacy, renewable energy and sustainable development.
More than that, the collaborative efforts of Emirati women in these critical fields epitomise the UAE’s approach to climate action.
The country’s leadership has built an approach to collaboration that will serve as a linchpin of the UAE’s future climate action and enable an inclusive and action-oriented Cop28 this year.
It is an approach that is forecast to help the country exceed its Paris Agreement commitments by 2030, representing a pace of progress that proves collaboration really does hold the key to a more sustainable future for humanity.
Today is about recognising the role of Emirati women in our national story, amplifying the successes they have led, and providing the platform for more.
Their example must be used as a tool to promote greater inclusivity and collaboration across genders and sectors. And it must serve as an inspiration to the international community to integrate collaboration into all climate and energy strategies for an inclusive and just transition.
“We Collaborate for Tomorrow” must become a rallying call – not just on Emirati Women’s Day, but across every sector in the lead-up to Cop28 and far beyond.
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Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
ULTRA PROCESSED FOODS
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- Margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars
- Energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- Infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes
- Many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
If you go...
Etihad flies daily from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, with fares starting from Dh2,807 return. Frequent high speed trains between Zurich and Vienna make stops at St. Anton.
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
