emirates7 - On behalf of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Mariam Almheiri, Head of the International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court, led the UAE delegation at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC), which was inaugurated by Germany's Federal Chancellor, Olaf Scholz.
Almheiri's participation, alongside representatives from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), highlighted the UAE's dedication to international cooperation on critical sustainability, energy, and humanitarian issues.
Speaking at the event, Almheiri remarked, "The Hamburg Sustainability Conference unites a diverse range of voices—from policymakers to CEOs, scientists, and civil society leaders—to drive systemic change and advance the SDGs." She emphasized that the HSC's mission aligns closely with the UAE's approach, which is not just about identifying problems but also about showcasing solutions, sharing innovative ideas, and scaling up successful initiatives. This was also a key aspect of the UAE's strategy at COP28, particularly the progress made with the UAE Consensus.
Almheiri further stressed that "meaningful dialogue is at the heart of progress," and the UAE delegation aimed to foster open and constructive discussions to pave the way for a more sustainable and equitable future.
During the conference, Almheiri participated in a High-Level Panel Discussion and held strategic side meetings with prominent German officials. These included Dr. Peter Tschentscher, President of the Senate and First Mayor of Hamburg; Svenja Schulze, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development; and Niels Annen, Parliamentary State Secretary to the BMZ and Member of the Bundestag (SPD). In her capacity as Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Germany, she underscored the strong bilateral relations between the UAE and Germany, stating, "The UAE highly values its partnership with Germany. Our cooperation, based on mutual respect and shared goals, drives positive change—ranging from sustainable development and climate action to peace and stability in the region and beyond."
The discussions covered the COP28 legacy, the UAE Consensus, and building on the achievements of COP28. Additionally, they focused on international collaboration in areas such as mangrove conservation, particularly the UAE-Germany Green Coast Initiative, which aims to protect and restore mangroves in Africa. Another topic was Hamburg's advancements in developing a robust hydrogen market, with both sides exploring potential avenues for knowledge exchange and cooperation.
Almheiri's participation at HSC underscored the UAE's proactive stance in promoting international dialogue and cooperation on key global issues.
On the second day of the conference, she joined leading German business figures, including representatives from Bayer, Airbus, and the Nordic Investment Bank, for a business luncheon. The discussions focused on expanding economic, investment, and business integration between the UAE and German private sectors.
The two-day event, opened by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Hamburg's First Mayor Dr. Peter Tschentscher, and UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner, marked the inaugural Hamburg Sustainability Conference. It brought together approximately 1,600 participants from 102 countries, including high-ranking state and government officials, to discuss ways to accelerate progress toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With a focus on transforming challenges into opportunities, the conference featured three main forums—Reshaping International Financial Architecture, Unleashing Investments for SDGs, and Leveraging Transformation—and five thematic hubs. The hubs, which change annually, were dedicated to Resilient Food Systems, Responsible AI & Digitalization, Green Energy & Net Zero, Empowering Societies, and Future Cities.
The annual HSC is a collaborative initiative between Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Michael Otto Foundation, and the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.
Almheiri's participation, alongside representatives from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), highlighted the UAE's dedication to international cooperation on critical sustainability, energy, and humanitarian issues.
Speaking at the event, Almheiri remarked, "The Hamburg Sustainability Conference unites a diverse range of voices—from policymakers to CEOs, scientists, and civil society leaders—to drive systemic change and advance the SDGs." She emphasized that the HSC's mission aligns closely with the UAE's approach, which is not just about identifying problems but also about showcasing solutions, sharing innovative ideas, and scaling up successful initiatives. This was also a key aspect of the UAE's strategy at COP28, particularly the progress made with the UAE Consensus.
Almheiri further stressed that "meaningful dialogue is at the heart of progress," and the UAE delegation aimed to foster open and constructive discussions to pave the way for a more sustainable and equitable future.
During the conference, Almheiri participated in a High-Level Panel Discussion and held strategic side meetings with prominent German officials. These included Dr. Peter Tschentscher, President of the Senate and First Mayor of Hamburg; Svenja Schulze, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development; and Niels Annen, Parliamentary State Secretary to the BMZ and Member of the Bundestag (SPD). In her capacity as Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Germany, she underscored the strong bilateral relations between the UAE and Germany, stating, "The UAE highly values its partnership with Germany. Our cooperation, based on mutual respect and shared goals, drives positive change—ranging from sustainable development and climate action to peace and stability in the region and beyond."
The discussions covered the COP28 legacy, the UAE Consensus, and building on the achievements of COP28. Additionally, they focused on international collaboration in areas such as mangrove conservation, particularly the UAE-Germany Green Coast Initiative, which aims to protect and restore mangroves in Africa. Another topic was Hamburg's advancements in developing a robust hydrogen market, with both sides exploring potential avenues for knowledge exchange and cooperation.
Almheiri's participation at HSC underscored the UAE's proactive stance in promoting international dialogue and cooperation on key global issues.
On the second day of the conference, she joined leading German business figures, including representatives from Bayer, Airbus, and the Nordic Investment Bank, for a business luncheon. The discussions focused on expanding economic, investment, and business integration between the UAE and German private sectors.
The two-day event, opened by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Hamburg's First Mayor Dr. Peter Tschentscher, and UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner, marked the inaugural Hamburg Sustainability Conference. It brought together approximately 1,600 participants from 102 countries, including high-ranking state and government officials, to discuss ways to accelerate progress toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With a focus on transforming challenges into opportunities, the conference featured three main forums—Reshaping International Financial Architecture, Unleashing Investments for SDGs, and Leveraging Transformation—and five thematic hubs. The hubs, which change annually, were dedicated to Resilient Food Systems, Responsible AI & Digitalization, Green Energy & Net Zero, Empowering Societies, and Future Cities.
The annual HSC is a collaborative initiative between Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Michael Otto Foundation, and the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.