9 May 2023
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| The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council hosted H.E. Mariam Almheiri, U.A.E. Minister of Climate Change and Environment, for a discussion with the business community on the sidelines of the AIM for Climate Summit in Washington, D.C. H.E. discussed the strong U.S.-U.A.E. collaboration in tackling global challenges such as climate change and food security, and highlighted the U.A.E.’s rise as a hub for sustainable agriculture and food systems technology. H.E. Mariam Almheiri detailed the U.A.E.’s work to foster innovation and attract regional and global companies presenting solutions to climate challenges, such as through the AIM for Climate Initiative. The joint U.S.-U.A.E. AIM for Climate Initiative is a global effort to address climate change and food insecurity, and H.E. described it as being made “by partners, for partners”, with the private sector playing an important role. AIM for Climate serves as a forum for governments, international organizations, and businesses to collaborate on the development and implementation of sustainable technologies through projects called Innovation Sprints. After 18 months, this initiative has already led to the development of projects in the U.A.E. such as the Food Tech Valley and the FoodTech Challenge. The U.A.E., H.E. explained, is a bridge to the broader Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, and can serve as a regional hub for businesses and investors in the sustainability sector to explore and expand to other markets. H.E. Mariam Almheiri encouraged the U.S. business community to get involved in COP 28, which will be held in Dubai in November 2023. She underscored the U.A.E.’s vision that this COP will bring together public and private stakeholders to make real commitments towards a sustainable future and critical net-zero carbon goals. In addition to being a “COP of Action,” H.E. noted that COP 28 will provide the U.A.E. the opportunity to demonstrate its domestic commitment to the energy transition and to cutting its fossil fuel emissions. H.E. Mariam Almheiri is visiting Washington, D.C. to co-chair the AIM for Climate Summit alongside U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsak from May 8-10. This summit brought together agriculture ministers from over 50 governments worldwide to spur investment and promote public-private collaboration on sustainable food and agriculture systems. For more information about this event and other Business Council activities in the sustainability sector, please contact Graham Reitman at greitman@usuaebusiness.org |
