Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), led a delegation to Tokyo, Japan, for the Global City Network for Sustainability (G-NETS) summit from 27th February to 1st March, 2023.
Leaders, mayors, and officials from over 33 cities worldwide convening under the theme “Connecting Cities Creating a Better Future” attended the summit.
G-NETS provided a platform for cities to meet and discuss tackling global challenges facing cities. Its main objective was strengthening intercity cooperation by facilitating proactive communication between cities to resolve challenges.
The Abu Dhabi delegation was composed of Hamad Al Dhaheri, Under-Secretary of the Department of Community Development, Hamad Al Mutawa, Executive Director of Planning and Infrastructure Sector at DMT, and representatives of the DMT, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, and the Department of Community Development.
Al Shorafa, said, “The Abu Dhabi Government is committed to preserving the environment and protecting wildlife. The government’s efforts align with the wise leadership’s belief in maintaining natural resources and achieving sustainable development. Al Shorafa emphasised the government’s commitment to balance economic growth with environmental conservation and protection.
“Strengthening cooperation with major cities around the world to build sustainable societies is the top priority for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. To achieve this goal, the government has implemented various policies and initiatives to conserve the environment, enhancing Abu Dhabi’s position as a preferred destination for living, working, and visiting,” he added.
Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), stated, “Through our participation within the Abu Dhabi Emirate’s delegation to the G-NETS Summit Tokyo, the EAD will highlight its efforts to reduce pollutants and maintain air quality in Abu Dhabi by unifying and expanding monitoring efforts and encouraging scientific and academic research to ensure a sustainable healthy society.”
She indicated that the projects implemented by the EAD in air quality preservation have contributed to strengthening the emirate’s capabilities in mathematical modelling of atmospheric emissions and air quality and establishing a framework compatible with its current and future goals and needs.
She added that the agency is keen to use advanced technology to monitor and determine unpleasant odours and pollutant sources. This is in addition to communicating with partners to implement mitigation plans sustainably that provide a better quality of life for the emirate’s residents.
Hamad Al Dhaheri praised the delegation’s participation in the G-NET summit, which convened leaders and experts from cities worldwide to exchange ideas and experiences on security, environment, and inclusive communities. He emphasised the emirate’s proven track record of improving people’s quality of life through initiatives and strategies serving all societal segments. Al Dhaheri highlighted the social sector’s commitment to ensuring inclusion by providing a social safety net and developing services for people of determination, the elderly, and vulnerable groups to contribute to society effectively.
Al Dhaheri explained that sustainable development hinges on community development, which requires meeting the needs of community members to enhance their sense of belonging. He cited the Department of Community Development’s quality-of-life questionnaire that demonstrated over 98 percent of citizens and 93 percent of residents expressed pride in being part of the Abu Dhabi community.
During the summit, the Emirati delegation coordinated with high-ranking officials, mayors, and representatives from Tokyo, Helsinki, Brussels, and Singapore. Additionally, they participated in a significant session on 28th February, where they presented several initiatives and projects implemented by Abu Dhabi government entities to safeguard the local environment.
Source: Emirates News Agency