Energy Minister Inaugurates MENA Climate Week 2023‎

Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz inaugurated today the MENA Climate Week 2023, hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from October 8 to 12 in Riyadh, in cooperation with the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and of HRH the Crown Prince, the minister welcomed participants in the event and said young Saudis endeavor to counter the effects of climate change, to build a better future for themselves, their country, and the world.

“The Kingdom is delighted to host the second edition of the MENA Climate Week, which reflects Saudi Arabia’s steadfast commitment to collective action in seeking solutions that help address the climate challenges we face today,” the minister said.

He added that the MENA Climate Week 2023 will address topics such as accelerating climate action and finding comprehensive approaches to deal with climate change, including adopting the circular carbon economy, which encourages the use of available technologies and different forms of alternative energy and seizes all opportunities that contribute to reducing carbon emissions, thus helping achieve climate goals.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry underlined the importance of holding the Climate Week in the Middle East, noting that the event is bound to yield partnership and cooperation related to climate, as well as impress the importance of sharing responsibility and adapting to climatic conditions.

The Egyptian minister pointed out that the Climate Week highlights the main elements of climate change and the need for action plans, and stresses the importance of unifying efforts in order to come up with solutions and build capacity.

UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Al-Mazrouei addressed the climate challenges and difficulties facing the entire world, and stressed that “we cannot stop using the sources of energy we use today before we secure alternative, sustainable sources of energy for the future.”

Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Simon Stiell said: “The Middle East and North Africa region stands at a crossroads for facing not only the devastating effects of climate change, but also the challenge of transforming their economies to ensure prosperity in a world aligned with a temperature rise by one and a half degrees Celsius”.

He noted that the event serves as a platform where light is shed on regional solutions and innovations that can pave the way for better cooperation among countries, sectors and specializations.