Today, the world celebrates the 15th anniversary of the founding of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) by hosting the inaugural World Clean Energy Day. Advancing just and resilient clean energy solutions are a vital component in our fight against climate change, and we welcome the focus that World Clean Energy Day is placing on our energy sources of the future. We all know that the significant challenges posed by climate change demand bold and decisive action; and the UAE is leading the global community in finding and deploying renewable energy solutions. It has been 6 weeks since the world came together and agreed the UAE Consensus here in the UAE at COP28. It was a significant moment in the global climate action journey. The UAE delivered a historic agreement and for the first time in almost thirty years of UNFCCC climate talks, clear language on transitioning away from fossil fuels was inscribed into the negotiated text. Yet, this commitment only serves to highlight that our global journey towards sustainability is more urgent than ever.

Today, in the UAE we are accelerating at pace, walking the talk on climate action. We are at the forefront of the clean energy transition, exemplified by our National Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to triple the contribution of renewable energy to the energy mix by 2030. We are taking bold steps to cut emissions, having committed to achieve a 40% reduction in emissions by 2030 compared to business as usual. We have committed to meeting our national Net Zero target by 2050 and have developed clear pathways to achieving this goal. And we are transforming our reliance on the land, using innovative farming techniques and emerging technologies such as hydroponics, to produce the food we need responsibly. The UAE will continue to provide global leadership at home and abroad, in line with the strategic vision of our wise Leadership.

On this inaugural World Clean Energy Day let us reflect on how far we have come, and be inspired and motivated to look to the innovations and technologies of the future to see what more must be achieved.