May 14th, the 9th summit of the association of Caribbean states (ACS) and the 28th meeting of the ministerial council of the ACS, was attended by Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State UAE. The summit was held in Antigue, The Republic of Guatemala, under the theme “building resistance through partnership in the Caribbean.
Issues such as climate change, energy security and economic development were the main issues focused in the meeting.
Al Sayegh, during his speech stress common relations and the interest of the UAE and the Caribbean region, including food security, supporting economic growth and sustainability.
UAE’s posting of the 28th session of the conference of the parties to the United Nations frame work convention on climate change, schedule to take place from November 30th to December 12th, 2023 in Dubai Expo city, was also highlighted by Al Sayegh.
He emphasized that the COP28 conference will target the important of exserting efforts of all parties’ concern, and the coordination for international cooperation to archive an informed response on Global climate action and addressing the effects of climate change.
In this context, he informed that UAE’s interest to explore opportunities for cooperation with Caribbean countries, which are considered most vulnerable to the effect of climate change. Sustainable economic and social development will be promoted to benefit from opportunities in the region.
Building communication and cooperation bridges with the international community will be approached by the UAE, stressed Al Sayegh, which the country will also follow in its presidency of the COP28 conference to help achieve practical results and outcomes.
The launch of the USD 50 million, UAE – Caribbean renewable energy fund in 2017, implementing clean energy projects in 16 Caribbean states to help reduce dependence on traditional fuels, enhance climate resilience and positive contribution to sustainability.
These projects have helped to reduce energy cost and improved resilience to natural disasters, Al Sayegh stated.
To discuss a number of issues of common interest, as well as a way to uplift cooperation between UAE and Caribbean, Al Sayegh met with President Alejandro Giammattei of Guatemala and a number of foreign ministers of participating Caribbean countries.
