KEY VOICES

Popularly known by his initials as MBZ, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the third President of the United Arab Emirates and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi. HH Sheikh Mohamed is the third son of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who was the first president of the UAE and the ruler of Abu Dhabi. In 2019, The New York Times named MBZ as the most powerful Arab ruler and one of the most powerful men on Earth. He was also named as one of the 100 Most Influential People of 2019 by Time Magazine.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed has made a major commitment to the key issue of our age – sustainability. In fact, His Highness made such a commitment to name 2023 as the Year of Sustainability with COP28 set to be held in the UAE, stating: “2023 is the Year of Sustainability in the UAE. Effective climate action requires a shared vision and collective will. As host of COP28, we are committed to fulfilling our role as a global convener and will continue to support action and innovation in the field of sustainability.”

The year-long aim also looks to showcase the UAE’s commitment towards fostering a global collaboration in seeking innovative solutions to challenges, such as energy, climate change and other pressing issues related to sustainability. These initiatives are overseen by H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; and H.H. Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed also said: “Sustainability has been a fundamental principle in the United Arab Emirates since its unification. The nation continues to serve as an exceptional model for environmental conservation and resource management.

“The late Sheikh Zayed was a global leader in environmental and climate action, leaving behind a legacy that we continue to follow today.”

His Highness also emphasised that the UAE is determined for COP28 to set a precedent in the collective global efforts to address climate change. The UAE has long been a leader in promoting clean energy and building effective partnerships for the benefit of the global community. One notable recent