Manama, Jan. 14 (BNA): Oil and Environment Minister, Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak bin Daina, has asserted that under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and with the constant follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the kingdom has adopted many programmes and initiatives to reach Net-Zero by 2060, with the aim of facing the challenges of climate change and protecting the environment, in a bid to achieve green economy.
He highlighted the kingdom’s announcement at the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) of its pledge to support the four main international initiatives in the field of climate change, namely the Global Ocean Alliance initiative, the Global Methane Pledge, and the Greening Government Initiative and the UAE's strategic initiative to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, noting that Bahrain has made major strides in implementing a package of programmes that support facing the challenges of climate change in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The minister made the statements while addressing the virtual “Voice of Global South Summit”, hosted by India under the theme “Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose”.
Oil and energy ministers, and high profile personalities and officials from 140 countries took part in the webinar to exchange points of view and identify the priorities of the countries of the South.
During the plenary session of the Summit, Dr. Bin Daina, emphasised the importance of developing comprehensive plans and programmes for the security of energy supplies and ensuring the sustainability of their access to all countries in light of the geopolitical and economic challenges the world is currently going through, in addition to the need for concerted efforts by all to face challenges related to food and climate change, in light of their great effects on all countries.
He added that the region needs to cooperate more to make the most of the available natural resources, which will enhance the achievement of sustainable development goals for all countries, stressing that the Kingdom is keen to find a stable base to attract investments in oil and environmental projects that would contribute to advancing its economic development, while adhering to climate change-related international initiatives and decisions that contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions.
He expressed thanks and appreciation to the Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri, for inviting him to the key summit, commending India’s distinguished efforts to host the summit and ensure its success.
WHQ