Abdulla Balalaa, the Assistant Minister for Energy and Sustainable Affairs, helmed the UAE delegation at the 10th Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue 2024 (BETD 2024), a gathering of global leaders, policymakers, and experts focused on sustainable energy systems. Throughout the conference, the delegation participated in various discussions and meetings, including engaging sessions such as the ministerial-level roundtable on the implementation of COP28 decisions in the energy sector.
Balalaa and the UAE delegation held meetings with influential industry figures like Siemens and Airbus, covering topics like renewable energy, hydrogen supply chains, and e-mobility, in addition to interacting with key government officials such as Germany's Federal Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Economic Affairs and Climate Action. Discussions also revolved around Germany's hydrogen strategy and potential collaborations between the two nations in advancing sustainable energy solutions. The delegation emphasized the UAE's commitment to international cooperation and its Net Zero 2050 strategy, aiming to combat climate change while securing energy resources.
In conversations with officials like Jennifer Morgan, Special Envoy for International Climate Policy, and Stefan Wenzel, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Balalaa highlighted the UAE's focus on practical solutions to global climate challenges and its investment opportunities in clean energy projects. The UAE's active participation in events like the dialogue hub on COP28 implications for renewables businesses underscored their commitment to making tangible progress in climate action and sustainability efforts beyond just pledges.