(Unofficial Translation)

Honorable Prime Minister Mohammed, distinguished guests, 

Congratulations on the opening of the 2022 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. This event, the first international environment gathering of the year, has once again – following the COP26 last November – brought dignitaries from around the world together to make Earth green through the power of solidarity. It has taken on considerable importance given that the international community is beginning to act on this year’s steps toward carbon neutrality.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. Initiated to honor the wishes of the late President Sheikh Zayed, this event has now established itself as a pivotal venue for environmental cooperation. Energy-rich UAE’s commitment to sustainable development has set an example for the world beyond the Middle East. With the climate change clock ticking faster than expected and climate response growing imperative, the path that the UAE was first to go down is now being taken by the world. As the UAE celebrates the half century since its founding, the event this year will become an important milestone, ushering in another 50 years in tandem with the hosting of Expo 2020 Dubai and COP28.

Distinguished guests, 

A sustainable future begins with courage and the steps to break free from old habits. The climate crisis is materializing in front of our eyes. The eco-friendly energy transition should be expedited to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. No one knows when a new infectious disease crisis like COVID-19 could descend upon us again. We have to change our lives in ways that enable us to coexist with nature. 

Fortunately, humanity began to take action before it was too late. We promised carbon neutrality and have started working on it. The UAE’s actions outshine all others in an unparalleled manner. In 2008, it started constructing Masdar, the world’s first carbon-zero city. In 2011, the UAE became the host of the International Renewable Energy Agency. Its 2050 carbon neutrality declaration last year was the first from the Middle East. The country is proactively implementing plans to achieve carbon neutrality through its hydrogen leadership roadmap and a project to plant 100 million mangroves. 

Korea has also declared its 2050 carbon neutrality goal. Having put carbon neutrality implementation into law, we are proceeding toward a low-carbon economy through a Green New Deal policy. Furthermore, we’ve significantly raised our 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution target. We remain committed to contributing to the world’s climate responses and sustainable development by accomplishing these very challenging goals at all costs. 

The UAE and Korea have also joined the Global Methane Pledge to reduce methane emissions 30 percent by 2030. Our two countries are strengthening international cooperation for carbon neutrality by participating in the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate Initiative – which is co-led by the UAE and the United States.

As special strategic partners, the UAE and Korea have been working together in numerous areas, ranging from construction, oilfield development, infrastructure, national defense and the defense industry to healthcare and agriculture. The Ark Unit and the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant are leading examples of the strong ties between our two countries.

The UAE aims to increase the share of clean energy, including renewables, in its total energy mix to 50 percent by 2050. Korea also plans to completely stop coal-fired power generation by 2050 and expand renewable energy use up to 70 percent of our energy mix. Korea will join hands more firmly with the UAE for a sustainable future. Both countries are now working together to build an economy based on hydrogen, which will become a new energy source in the era of carbon neutrality.

Through the Abu Dhabi Hydrogen Alliance, the UAE is increasing its green and blue hydrogen production capacity with the goal of gaining a 25 percent share of the world’s low-carbon hydrogen market by 2030. Having enacted the world’s first Hydrogen Act, Korea is creating a hydrogen ecosystem that covers the entire cycle of production, utilization and distribution with the intent of becoming a leading hydrogen economy. In particular, Korea has strengths in hydrogen utilization and distribution – like hydrogen-powered vehicles, fuel cells and charging stations.

Hydrogen is a clean energy attracting attention from many countries. It is a key future energy source: It has become a fuel for transport via automobiles, ships and aircraft and is used in fuel cells and industrial processes. The hydrogen economy will be the most promising area of growth in the era of carbon neutrality.

The UAE and Korea are jointly developing blue hydrogen and building a large-scale blue ammonia plant. Joint research and demonstration projects for hydrogen production and utilization are also being planned. I hope that our countries’ hydrogen cooperation will help hasten the arrival of carbon neutrality and a sustainable future.

Smart cities are also an area in which synergy from our bilateral cooperation is expected. Over about the past 40 years, the world’s urban population has more than doubled, becoming a major cause of environmental pollution and carbon emissions. Smart cities will reduce carbon through ICT and eco-friendly energy technologies and improve the quality of life.

The UAE has been investing in the construction of eco-friendly cities from early on. Utilizing such environmentally friendly materials as low-carbon cement, it is constructing a green city that will run on renewable energy. Korea is also building two pilot smart cities. We will save energy and reduce carbon emissions through smart energy systems and zero-energy buildings. Moreover, the number of smart cities that operate smart mobility will be increased.

Combining our experiences and strengths will facilitate completion of the most exemplary smart cities. Our two countries also plan to jointly develop a hydrogen city based on a hydrogen-powered public transportation system.

Korea will share its smart city technologies and experiences with the international community. To date, we have been assisting smart city development in 18 countries and are actively participating in smart city projects conducted by international organizations such as UN-Habitat, World Bank Group and the Inter-American Development Bank. I hope that our two countries will work together to make cities around the world smart. 

Prime Minister Mohammed, distinguished guests, 

Last year, over 37,000 people from 175 countries participated in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. Even amid difficult circumstances, the world has taken great interest in sustainability. This year, more people will come together and pool wisdom for the sake of sustainability.

Solidarity and cooperation are key to bringing sustainable development forward. If the world enhances its commitment to solidarity and cooperation through the 2022 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, humanity’s pace toward carbon neutrality will accelerate further.

Thank you.