Gov't chief takes part in Abu Dhabi sustainability week

The Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch took part, on Monday, alongside several heads of state and government, in the opening of the 15th edition of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, organized under the theme of “United on Climate Action Toward COP28.”

The Moroccan delegation participating in this event is composed, in particular, of the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, and the Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Morocco in Abu Dhabi, Abdelilah Oudades.

The opening ceremony, which was chaired by the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was marked by the crowning of the ten winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards.

The award recognizes small and medium-sized enterprises, nonprofit organizations, and secondary schools that offer innovative and impactful sustainable ideas and solutions in the health, food, water, and energy sectors.

In a statement to MAP, Akhannouch stressed the importance of the presence of Morocco at this major global event organized as part of the preparations initiated by the United Arab Emirates for the organization of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), scheduled from November 30 to December 12, 2023.

He added that the upcoming climate summit will provide an opportunity to follow up on the decisions adopted at previous conferences, including those in Paris and Marrakech.

In this regard, the Head of Government welcomed the considerable efforts made by the Emirates in preserving the environment and promoting the sustainable energy sector, emphasizing the pioneering experience of Morocco in this field.

He noted that renewable energy represents 38% of the energy mix of the Kingdom, with the prospect of reaching 50% in the coming years.

Furthermore, Akhannouch noted that Morocco’s participation in the Zayed Sustainability Prize has deep political connotations, reflecting the strong relationship between HM King Mohammed VI and his brother, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, as well as the peoples of the two sister countries.