MOCCAE Launches 'Environment and Business Majlis'

Dubai, UAE: December 18, 2016

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment launched the ‘Environment and Business Majlis’, aimed at boosting the private sector’s contribution and guided private companies to be aligned with the government’s environmental strategies and create new investment opportunities that involved the ministry and the private sector.

The announcement came during MOCCAE’s 2^nd business meeting with businessmen and representatives from leading national companies in the UAE today, where His Excellency Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, stressed the importance of bolstering partnership between public and private sectors in order to achieve the strategic objectives of the UAE’s National Climate Change Plan 2017-2050 and the Green Agenda 2015-2030.

His Excellency Dr. Al Zeyoudi commended the role of national companies in supporting the economic growth of the UAE, across all sectors. He pointed out that the Environment and Business Majlis aims to encourage the private sector to invest in environmental projects and hence contribute towards the UAE national climate change initiative, and also help the nation in fulfilling its environmental and developmental needs in the food security and sustainable infrastructure sectors. His Excellency stressed the importance of collaboration to improve and further develop the procedures that pertain to the services offered by the ministry, to expand the ministry’s vision to be aligned with businessmen perspective.

Dr. Al Zeyoudi indicated that the Majlis would also propose innovative and technological initiatives in the environment and climate change sector that are in line with the global direction, urging private companies to adopt corporate social responsibility programs that aim at reducing carbon emissions, in addition to improve and develop the ministry’s services to the private sector.

During the meeting, attendees highlighted the important role the private sector plays in supporting environmental projects, reducing carbon emissions and reinforcing the transformation towards a green economy. They also reviewed the best-applied global practices in establishing partnerships between public and private sectors, and the benefit that governments could gain because of that cooperation.

Attendees also discussed MOCCAE’s proposal to strengthen collaboration with the private sector, achieve the desired objectives and determine the best ways to boost the relationship with businessmen and the private sector. Currently, relationships between the ministry and the private sector are defined by two main categories, legislative and contractual, in line with the ministry’s requirements and services it provides to the businessmen.

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Reviewing several proposals and initiatives to increase partnerships between the ministry and the private sector, attendees also discussed the ‘bundle of partnerships with the private sector’ initiative which serves as the launching pad for implementing several leading projects focused on the transformation towards green development and supporting UAE’s efforts in addressing global climate change.

Concluding the gathering, His Excellency the Minister of Climate Change and Environment discussed with the businessmen and the representatives of private companies, the key challenges facing the business sector and the current relationship with the ministry. They also exchanged several suggestions and ideas to improve future collaborations between the ministry and the private sector.

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About the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment:
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment was established in February 2006 as the Ministry of Environment and Water. The ministry acquired its new name following the UAE Cabinet reshuffle in February 2016 and the subsequent integration of the climate change function.

Under its redefined scope, the ministry has taken on a dual mandate. On the national level, the ministry aims to strengthen the UAE’s efforts in preserving the environment and promoting food diversity in accordance with the nation’s aspiration to emerge as a key benchmark for sustainable development. On the global level, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment will join international stakeholders in combating climate change and profile the UAE’s path-breaking achievements in the sector at thought leadership platforms worldwide.

© Press Release 2016