UAE leads the way in blue economy discussions in Mauritius, presents achievements in renewable energy, maritime security and marine conservation

A delegation led by Dr. Thani Ahmad Al Zeyoudi, UAE Permanent Representative to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Director of Energy and Climate Change at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended the first Ministerial Blue Economy Conference of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), held in Mauritius, 2-3 September 2015.

Healthy oceans and seas are central to a wide range of opportunities they offer, including fisheries, renewable energy, resource extraction, tourism and trade. At the same time, oceans and seas are under great environmental pressure, particularly from impacts of climate change, such as ocean acidification, rising sea level rise and increasing extreme weather events.

The Conference was held reflecting views amongst the IORA member states that sustainable management and security of oceans and seas are critical in order for countries to continue to benefit from them in decades to come. Participants delved into discussions on four priority sectors on the first day of the meeting, focusing on the fisheries and agriculture, renewable ocean energy, seaport and shipping as well as seabed exploration and minerals. The results from the first day were reflected into a ministerial declaration adopted on the second day of the Conference.

"Oceans are shared international resources, and can only be protected if we work together," said Dr. Al Zeyoudi. "That is why we support international fora such as this first IORA Ministerial Blue Economy Conference to build close cooperation and partnerships."

The Conference was held in the lead up to two major conferences this year which will have significant impacts on the wellbeing of oceans and seas: the UN Summit later this month in New York where the world will agree to a number of sustainable development goals including a dedicated goal on the protection of oceans and seas, and the UN climate change conference in December in Paris during which a new agreement will be reached to slow down the increase of greenhouse gas emissions. The UAE is an active contributor to and convener of relevant international dialogues.

"Hosting the World Future Energy Summit during the annual Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, convening a series of counter-piracy conferences, investing in renewable energy both at home and abroad including our renewable energy foreign aid program for Pacific island states, and implementing a wide range of sustainable fisheries practices and marine conversation measures are just a few examples of how the UAE is contributing to the achievement of the blue economy," said Dr. Al Zeyoudi.

As a next step, the UAE will host the second Blue Economy Summit organized by the Government of Seychelles on 19 January 2016, during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2016. The Summit builds on the success of the first Summit held in January 2014 and is intended to further strengthen international cooperation on the realization of the blue economy.