DUBAI: Ilaria Catastini, General Manager of Evolve – Maire Tecnimont Foundation, has emphasised that the UAE plays a key role in promoting the climate neutrality objectives in the Middle East and North Africa region.

In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), she said that the UAE is at the forefront of the global energy transition, especially in terms of training and developing human resources to achieve climate neutrality.

She noted that, on the sidelines of the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), the Foundation launched a study that demonstrated the need for large investments in skill and capacity development to accelerate the energy transition. The International Energy Agency expects 14 million job opportunities in clean energy to be created globally by 2030, which requires upskilling millions of employees.

She said that education and training were major topics on the COP28 agenda from the beginning and that there is consensus on the necessity of making a global effort in the field of edu
cation and training to achieve shared climate action goals.

Catastini called for strategic investment in vocational and craft training, in line with the goals of a carbon-free economy, noting that the UAE is qualified to lead in this field.

She emphasised the urgent need to provide new skills in a comprehensive and immediate manner, and to lay the foundation for preparing a workforce capable of leading the global energy transition, by encouraging cooperation with universities to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and enhance educational standards.
Source: Emirates News Agency