UAE_President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
This file handout photo, released by the Saudi Royal Palace on May 31, 2019, shows the UAE's Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a meeting in the Saudi holy city of Mecca; he became the UAE president after the death of his half-brother Saudi Royal Palace via AFP / BANDAR AL-JALOUD

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a meeting with the United States Special Presidential Envoy, John Kerry, in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday to review the cooperation between the two countries on climate change.

Al Nahyan, who is responsible for overseeing the preparations for the 28th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28), met Kerry to discuss several opportunities that can increase cooperation between the two nations within the COP28 framework.

The UAE will host the COP28 summit in Expo City Dubai from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12.

The foreign affairs minister also shared the UAE's eagerness to develop a distinguished and pioneering model of partnership with the United States to deal with climate change issues.

During the meeting, the minister went on to share that the UAE is looking forward to achieving a quality global response at the COP28 summit to curb the impact of climate change.

The minister shared that the country's approach is based on inclusivity, innovation, and multilateral action in order to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and President of COP28, also attended the meeting.

The COP28 event will be attended by world leaders and environmental advocates, and the UAE is working on many projects to deal with climate change issues.

For instance, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Masdar, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company signed an agreement in July to build and operate the sixth phase of the landmark Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which was developed to provide clean energy to 540,000 residences in the city and reduce carbon emissions.

Besides working internally, the UAE is also helping other countries to generate clean energy. The COP28 President-Designate recently announced that the country will be providing $4.5 billion to support Africa's clean energy projects.

Earlier this year, the COP28 President-Designate shared that there will be a space for climate activists to peacefully protest at the upcoming COP28 event.

At that time, Jaber said that the event would be centered around four key pillars -- fast-tracking the energy transition; fixing climate finance; focusing on people, lives, and livelihoods; and underpinning everything with full inclusivity.

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