Abdulla Balalaa, the UAE’s Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability Affairs, took part in two key Ministerial sessions at the 2025 World Green Economy Summit (WGES) in Dubai, further cementing the country’s role as a leader in climate and water issues. His participation was part of the UAE’s strategy to build momentum ahead of the upcoming COP30 and the 2026 UN Water Conference.
During the Ministerial Roundtable, themed “Delivering Climate Ambition by 2030 and Beyond,” Balalaa emphasized the urgency of translating global climate agreements into accelerated action. He stated, “This is a critical moment where ambition must shift from agreements to the reality of accelerated actions. The choices we make now will define climate outcomes for decades and generations to come.”
Balalaa pointed out that the UAE’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), submitted in November 2024, reflects the outcomes of the Global Stocktake and the UAE Consensus established at COP28. This update aligns with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategy.
The Minister also outlined several key UAE-led initiatives aimed at driving global climate action. These include the USD 30 billion Alterra Fund, the UAE Banks Federation’s AED 1 trillion sustainable finance initiative, the Africa Green Investment Initiative targeting 15 GW of clean energy in Africa by 2030, and global platforms such as Masdar, which promotes clean energy across more than 40 countries.
Building on these initiatives, the UAE is leveraging platforms like Alterra, the sustainable finance push from the UAE Banks Federation, and the Global Climate Finance Centre to mobilize large-scale investments. This includes pioneering financial instruments like Green Sukuk (Islamic green bonds) and blended finance to unlock private capital and accelerate global climate action.
Balalaa underscored the importance of collaboration and inclusivity in climate solutions. He highlighted that alliances such as GAGE and WGEO, along with the involvement of youth, women, and vulnerable groups, are central to the UAE’s approach to addressing climate challenges.
In a session titled “On the Road to the 2026 UN Water Conference: Water at the Heart of Sustainable Development and the Green Economy,” Balalaa reiterated the urgent need for global water security and the UAE’s leadership role in preparing for the 2026 conference in partnership with Senegal. He highlighted the six UN-adopted Interactive Dialogue Themes that will shape the conference’s agenda and accelerate global water action.
Balalaa emphasized, “Water connects all dimensions of sustainable development. Accelerating progress on water through partnership, investment, and innovation will be essential in achieving SDG 6 and unlocking new solutions for societies and economies worldwide.”
In conclusion, he stressed that achieving the global goals of SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) requires collective innovation, investment, and inclusive partnerships to ensure prosperity and resilience for all.
