UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment to cooperate with Iran’s Department of Environment in combating sand, dust storms

 13 July, 2022 – Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, attended the Ministerial Meeting on Environment Cooperation for a Better Future that took place in the Iranian capital Tehran. The event aimed to advance regional cooperation in tackling shared environmental and climate challenges. 

Held in the presence of the Iranian President His Excellency Dr Ebrahim Raisi, the gathering brought together environmental ministers from countries of the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region as well as representatives of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), various NGOs, and academia. 
During the plenary discussion, Her Excellency highlighted the UAE’s efforts to combat pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change. She also participated in a ministerial roundtable that examined ways of stepping up regional cooperation in this regard. 
Her Excellency said: “The transboundary nature of the environmental challenges we face necessitates that we respond in a coordinated manner. Building a sustainable future is a moral obligation towards the next generations, and our success depends on how well we all work together to drive low-carbon, nature-positive, and resilient growth.”

On the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting, Her Excellency signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with His Excellency Dr Ali Salajegheh, Vice President and Head of the Department of Environment of Iran, to initiate collaboration in fighting sand and dust storms. According to the terms of the agreement, the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the Department of Environment of Iran will share experience and expertise, implement joint activities, and work together on developing a regional action plan to address the issue.

The scope of the MoU covers exchanging expert visits, setting up a joint task force, and leveraging the experience of relevant international institutions in early warning and forecasting of sand and dust storms to enhance preparedness. The two parties will also organize joint seminars, training courses, and meetings.