Environmental Issue Becomes Key To Global Stability And Future Of Humanity, Says Saqr Ghobash
Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC), emphasised that environmental issues are now central to global stability and humanity's future. He made these remarks at the 11th Nevsky International Ecological Congress in St. Petersburg, Russia. The event was attended by Matviyenko Valentina, Chairwoman of the Council of Federation of the Russian Federation, along with parliamentary leaders and environmental experts.
During his speech, Ghobash congratulated Russia on the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, wishing them continued progress and prosperity. He stated that environmental concerns have evolved from being temporary or national issues to becoming crucial for global stability and humanity's future on Earth.
Ghobash highlighted that humanity is experiencing a rapid historical transformation driven by scientific and technological advancements, particularly artificial intelligence. He described AI as "the new mind reshaping the future." This progress brings significant challenges, necessitating a balance between growth and sustainability, humans and nature, and technology and ecology.
He cited His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE: "This is a critical time for our planet, and since we have only one Earth, we must unify our efforts to address this challenge by seeing it as an opportunity for innovation, solution-finding, and economic diversification."
Ghobash explained that this vision is evident in the UAE’s environmental policy. It focuses on establishing legislative frameworks for sustainable development while investing in clean energy sources. The country has allocated AED 600 billion towards infrastructure for carbon neutrality.
The UAE leads in technology adoption, incorporating AI within a new Emirati model. Recognising AI's high energy consumption, the UAE redirects technological advances towards sustainability. The "AI Campus" announced by the UAE will be powered solely by clean solar and nuclear energy.
Strategic Recommendations for Environmental Policy
In his concluding remarks at the congress, Ghobash stressed adopting a strategic mindset in policymaking to ensure sustainability becomes integral to national policies. He proposed five key recommendations:
- Enact binding national climate legislation with clear targets for emissions reduction.
- Redefine environmental security as part of national security with sustainability indicators as benchmarks for economic success.
- Make environmental sustainability a legislative priority across various sectors like economy and urban planning.
- Empower environmental issues as a basis for cross-border legislative cooperation.
- Create an "International Parliamentary Charter for Environmental Governance" to unify legislative principles globally.
The UAE believes progress can coexist with environmental stewardship. This commitment reflects their dedication to redefining technology-environment relationships through green transformation initiatives.
With inputs from WAM
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