US, UAE climate envoys to advance collaboration on technology, investment
February 1, 2021, 11:00 am

US, UAE climate envoys to advance collaboration on technology, investment

UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, left, and US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry during a virtual call. (WAM)

Envoys of the United States and United Arab Emirates discussed new opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the fight against climate change on Sunday, agreeing to set up bilateral groups to accelerate progress toward global climate goals.

US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber “agreed to set up bilateral working groups…to advance their shared agenda, accelerate progress toward global climate goals and contribute to regional and global sustainable development,” according to Emirati state news agency WAM.

Al Jaber told Kerry during the virtual conversation that the UAE “welcomes the new US administration’s sharpened focus on climate change,” WAM reported.

Participants are seen in silhouette as they look at a screen showing a world map with climate anomalies during the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21) in Paris. (File photo: Reuters)

Kerry said he is looking forward to “strong and productive collaboration” with the UAE on technology, investment, and regional leadership.

“I look forward to strong & productive collaboration on tech, investment, and regional leadership as we work together to ensure global action on deep decarbonization,” Kerry said in a tweet.

https://twitter.com/ClimateEnvoy/status/1356089896734253056

US President Joe Biden tapped Kerry for the presidential climate envoy position – the first of its kind in the US - in November.

Kerry previously held the position of Secretary of State under President Barak Obama and helped broker the 2015 Paris Climate Accord.

Biden signed an executive order on January 20 for the US to rejoin the Paris Climate Accord, which predecessor President Donald Trump withdrew the country from in 2020.

US President Joe Biden signs executive orders as part of the Covid-19 response in the State Dining Room of the White House, Jan. 21, 2021. (AFP)

Al Jaber was appointed to the position of UAE Special Envoy for Climate by the government cabinet in November.

Both climate envoys are set to participate in the UN Climate Change Conference later this year.

source: Emily Judd

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”