Delivered By: Aljood Al Nuaimi New York,

Mr. Chair,

At this defining moment for our global community, the United Arab Emirates reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We align ourselves with the statement of the Group of 77 and China, as well as that of the Arab Group.

For the UAE, the SDGs are the compass guiding our national vision and our international partnerships. Domestically, our Vision 2071 is a one hundred year plan to ensure that innovation and sustainability shape every sector of our future. Internationally, the UAE continues to be among the leading Global South providers of development assistance, particularly to climate-vulnerable and least developed countries, since it is our strong belief that global solidarity is key to achieving the 2030 Agenda.

We maintain that climate change remains the most significant sustainability challenge, and accordingly submitted our updated NDC early and aligned with our Net Zero 2050 strategy. We hope that this

session will build on the momentum of COP28 and COP29 and the landmark targets of the UAE Consensus. We also express our strong support for the upcoming COP30 hosted by our troika partner Brazil.

A core target of the UAE Consensus is the tripling of renewable energy capacity globally: we hope to see further multilateral efforts to achieve this goal. Guided by our national energy strategy, the UAE remains committed to expanding affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy access worldwide.

Climate action should also go hand in hand with protection of biodiversity. The UAE is proud to host the IUCN Congress currently underway in Abu Dhabi and continues to advance the Mangrove Coastal Restoration Initiative, demonstrating how nature-based solutions can protect communities and ecosystems alike.

We must further consider that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, which risks eroding hard-won development gains. As Chair of the UN Disaster Risk Reduction Support Group, we are committed to working with Member States to advance early warning systems, disaster preparedness, and risk financing. Within the Arab region, we underscore the rising threat of sand and dust storms, which jeopardize health and disrupt food systems. Recognizing this growing challenge, the UAE calls for the strong and continued implementation of the outcomes of the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake and the UNCCD COP16, hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to advance land restoration and enhance resilience across affected regions.

Desertification is of course also strongly connected to the crisis of water scarcity, which stands as one of the defining tests of our era. In December 2026, the UAE, together with Senegal, will proudly co-host the UN Water Conference – a milestone for advancing global cooperation on SDG 6 and ensuring equitable access to clean water and sanitation for all.

Finally, Colleagues,

We recognize that sustainable development is fundamentally about people. That is why the UAE invests in education for sustainable development and empowers youth through initiatives such as the Arab Youth Council for Climate Change and institutionalizing the COP Presidency Youth Climate Champion role — ensuring that young voices are not only heard but are shaping solutions.

Mr. Chair,

Achieving the 2030 Agenda demands ambition, innovation, and solidarity — the UAE chooses legacy, and stands ready to work with all partners to make it a shared success.

Thank you.