Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry traveled to the Middle East and North Africa June 13-17 to discuss collaboration on combating climate change and raising climate ambition ahead of the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change later this year and beyond. All visited countries enthusiastically engaged in discussions on the need for increased action to address climate change, the importance of a successful COP26, and prospects for enhanced climate cooperation with the United States.
In the United Arab Emirates, Special Presidential Envoy Kerry met with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, as well as top UAE officials including Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Special Envoy for Climate Change Dr. Sultan Al Jaber. They reaffirmed the U.S. and U.A.E. commitment to the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate), which the two countries jointly announced at President Biden's Leaders Summit on Climate and will launch formally at COP26 in Glasgow. They also discussed jointly identifying opportunities for strategic investment in India's clean energy transition and mobilizing investments in clean energy around the world; collaborating on climate and security, developing and scaling clean energy technologies; and working constructively to demonstrate ambition and make COP26 a success.
In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Special Presidential Envoy Kerry met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Minister of Energy Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir, Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Abdulrahman al-Fadhli, and Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah al-Swaha. Their discussions covered addressing the increasing climate challenge with seriousness and urgency; ongoing and future Saudi pathways and initiatives to scale clean energy technologies to reduce emissions; collaboration on research and investment in climate mitigation and adaptation; and constructive actions to promote a successful G20 and COP26. In an extended workshop, the Ministry of Energy laid out concrete plans for achieving Saudi Arabia's announced target of achieving 50 percent electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030 and for scaling up hydrogen and carbon capture technologies. The two countries concluded a joint statement affirming their intention to intensify collaboration on the road to Glasgow and beyond, recognizing the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and taking adaptation actions during the 2020s to avoid the worst consequences of climate change.
In the Arab Republic of Egypt, Special Presidential Envoy Kerry met with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, as well as top Egyptian officials including Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, and Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad. They discussed collaborating on COP27, which Egypt will host; advancing climate mitigation and adaptation in Egypt; and working constructively to promote a successful COP26.
