Iran and UAE Join Forces to Tackle Urgent Environmental Challenges

TEHRAN – Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to discuss important environmental topics, especially focusing on renewable energy.

Shina Ansari, the head of Iran’s Department of Environment (DOE), will visit the UAE for two days starting Wednesday. This visit comes at the invitation of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Vice President.

Ansari and UAE officials first connected during a meeting at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22, 2024.

Iran and the UAE have already signed two agreements aimed at protecting the environment and addressing challenges like sand and dust storms. These agreements aim to strengthen cooperation in implementing their objectives.

During her visit, Ansari is expected to meet with several Emirati officials, including Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, the Minister of Climate Change and the Environment; Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, the Minister of Energy; and Sultan Al Jaber, the Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology.

Environmental issues are a top priority for Iran. Ali Salajeqeh, a former DOE head, emphasized the importance of environmental diplomacy in Iran’s political agenda. In 2022, Iran hosted a regional summit focused on combating sand and dust storms, where representatives from neighboring countries and international agencies gathered. The outcomes of this summit led to the creation of the Tehran Declaration.

With increased incidents of sand and dust storms affecting the region, the current Iranian administration is committed to strengthening both regional and global partnerships to address this and other pressing environmental issues. This includes water diplomacy and managing shared water resources.

Iran’s environmental policy also focuses on sharing experiences regionally and globally, facilitating collaboration, and gaining insights from international best practices. The aim is to enhance capabilities, attract resources, and secure the nation’s interests in environmental initiatives.