On day 10 of COP29, the UAE pavilion focused on the environment, gender, humanitarianism, and the role of lives and livelihoods. Key participants at the pavilion included the UN, the former president of Ireland, the UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, First Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD, and Dubai Islamic Bank.
During the first session, Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion at COP28, introduced the agenda with the Alliance for Gender Responsive Climate Finance. She explained how gender and climate are intrinsically linked. “Climate impact is not gender neutral; we need to ensure we empower women on the frontlines of climate change, making sure they are co-designing the solutions required to combat climate change,” she stated.
For her part, former president of Ireland, member of The Elders, and longtime campaigner for women’s rights, Mary Robinson, said: “Gender-responsive climate policy will make things move faster – women at grassroots level are accelerating the transition and making a difference.”
The importance of increasing access to climate finance and enhancing gender equality in building the climate-resilient economy of the future was a key talking point of leaders across international organizations and governments, civil society, and philanthropic foundations during the discussion.
UAE 3D Digital Twin to improve livability, sustainability
The UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), in partnership with Spotnik Technologies, then presented the UAE 3D Digital Twin to Improve Livability and Sustainability in Cities. Naseibah Abdulla Almarzooqi, director of studies research and development and chief innovation officer at MoEI, described it as a single platform to inform urban decision-making while centralizing information in one place.
“This is the first urban digital twin platform covering an entire country – a digital replica of UAE infrastructure, including buildings and transportation assets, at the local and federal levels, which uses AI to visualize the impact of livability and sustainability initiatives,” added Spotnik’s Aditya Ramakrishnan.
UAE’s roadmap to sustainable cities
During COP29, the UAE pavilion also hosted a session under the title “The Redefining Mobility in a Planetary Urban Sprawl”, which was led by Al Futtaim. The Pavilion also hosted “Innovating the Future: UAE’s Path to Sustainable, Circular, and Cognitive Cities”.
Pooja Ganatra, senior consultant in sustainability at Buro Happold, outlined the circular economy as “a transformative approach that aims to decouple economic growth from the consumption of finite resources – a system where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated”. Ganatra cited Masdar’s master plan, noting that the company has recycled over nine million plastics while giving them another purpose and social value.
Climate action and foreign policy
During COP29, the UAE pavillion witnessed discussions on the integration of climate action with foreign policy in the “Strengthening Climate Action in Countries Affected by Armed Conflict: A Way Forward” session.
Dr. Moza bint Tahnoun Al Nahyan of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led the session, shedding light on climate change as a policy focus. The discussion delved into how humanitarian responses have accounted for 35 percent of UAE development aid over the last decade.
Dragana Kojic, head of the ICRC delegation to Azerbaijan, endorsed the “vital” declaration adopted at COP28 because “it recognized the importance of climate action in conflict settings”.
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National green home loans program
Closing the 10th day of COP29, the UAE Ministry of Culture presented “Culture for Climate: Linking National and International Climate Policy”, considering the cultural dimensions of enhancing climate action. The “Integrated Model for Building Future Schools” with the MoEI then explored progress and infrastructure efforts across the UAE in Building Future Schools.
Finally, the MoEI, in collaboration with First Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD, and Dubai Islamic Bank, presented the “National Green Home Loans Program” – sustainable construction through affordable financing and eco-friendly building practices.
