UAE Leads Long-Term Climate Talks at Copenhagen Ministerial

UAE Champions Global Climate Goals at Copenhagen Climate Ministerial Ahead of COP30

Copenhagen, Denmark – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) reaffirmed its leadership in global climate diplomacy as His Excellency Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Foreign Minister for Energy and Sustainability, led the national delegation to the Copenhagen Climate Ministerial held on 7–8 May. In order to increase momentum after COP28 and unify tactics in the crucial lead-up to COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the event gathered together ministers and climate leaders from around the globe.

The ministerial marked the midway point of this crucial decade for reaching the 1.5°C climate target and the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement’s adoption, making it a crucial landmark.Representing the COP28 Presidency, H.E. Balalaa took part in the Troika High-Level Dialogue on Long-Term Development Planning, alongside representatives from the COP29 and COP30 Presidencies. The discussions centered on strengthening Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) as actionable frameworks that go beyond pledges—becoming engines for investment, sustainable development, and institutional resilience.

“The UAE believes NDCs should serve as national blueprints for inclusive and resilient development. They must move from ambition to implementation,” stated H.E. Balalaa, referencing the Troika Roadmap to Mission 1.5, a joint initiative to align development and climate ambition.

On the sidelines, H.E. Balalaa conducted bilateral meetings with key global partners, including the Minister of Climate Change of Norway, the Deputy Minister of Energy, Climate, and Utilities of Denmark, and Denmark’s Minister of Environment and Gender Equality. He also met with top executives from leading climate technology and clean energy firms such as Vestas (wind energy technology), Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), and AVK, a major player in water solutions. These interactions strengthened the UAE’s standing as a leading proponent of sustainability and climate resilience in the public and private spheres.

H.E. Balalaa also highlighted the UAE’s contribution to the Baku Climate Unity Pact’s operationalization, which includes the establishment of the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance and the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD). He noted the UAE’s landmark financial contributions, including USD 100 million towards the FRLD and Global Flaring and Methane Reduction (GFMR) Fund, and the launch of ALTÉRRA, a USD 30 billion climate finance platform aimed at scaling private sector engagement and transformational investment.

Looking ahead, the UAE’s co-hosting of 2026 with Senegal further demonstrated its commitment to sustainability. The event, one of the UAE’s top priorities, will explore the relationship between water security, climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The country’s commitment to promoting international climate cooperation, accelerating the energy transition and ensuring resilience in the face of climate challenges is demonstrated by its active participation in the Copenhagen Ministerial, building on the momentum of the historic “UAE Consensus” reached during COP28 at Expo City Dubai.

The UAE is leveraging innovation, financing and inclusive multilateral engagement to continue driving the global climate narrative towards Brazil for COP30.