UAE Minister Joins UN Panel On Critical Energy Transition Minerals In Denmark

Abdulla Balalaa, UAE's Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability Affairs, attended the United Nations' Critical Energy Transition Minerals (CETM) Panel hosted in Denmark's capital Copenhagen.

The event was attended by government representatives, organizations, and experts to discuss the crucial role of critical minerals in the global shift toward renewable energy. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also joined the discussion, as per WAM.

Guterres announced the CETM panel at the COP28 climate conference in the UAE last year, noting that the panel will focus on critical minerals for energy transition, allowing members to share their views and create voluntary guidelines for a fair transition.

Energy transition minerals are essential for many clean energy technologies like wind turbines, solar panels, electric vehicles and batteries. To emphasize their importance for the green transition, Balalaa discussed topics such as trade and investment, building climate resilience, and strengthening protection measures.

During the event, Balalaa emphasized the need to create economic opportunities and support vulnerable communities against climate impacts, stressing the importance of opening up investments in critical minerals to avoid delays in the energy transition.

He also highlighted the need to focus on common interests and the evolving dynamics of the international critical minerals market. Balalaa discussed the socio-economic, climate, and environmental aspects of energy transition materials with his counterparts.

The minister went on to share the importance of strengthening international cooperation to address economic and social challenges in vulnerable regions, talking about current climate issues, such as water scarcity.

Furthermore, he emphasized the need for a clear plan for using extractive minerals and stressed the importance of working together for a fair energy transition that benefits everyone and creates lasting socio-economic opportunities, aligned with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

The minister shared the importance of fostering dialogue and collaboration and making finance accessible, which will be a key focus at the upcoming COP29 in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku.

He supported the development of common, voluntary guidelines for the sustainable and fair extraction of critical minerals and called for practical, bold, and beneficial solutions. Balalaa encouraged participants to take advantage of the panel's opportunity to create a new path for nations and communities to thrive while ensuring a just and fair energy transition.

During the event, the minister announced that the UAE will co-host the 2026 UN Water Conference with Senegal, building on the success of hosting COP28 in 2023.