COP28 to open new chapters in tourism

COP28 will witness world leaders gathering in the UAE which will open new chapters in tourism. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO, Miral shares the importance of this gathering to the tourism sector. “In a few days, the highly anticipated COP28 UAE will convene with world leaders and policy makers right here in the UAE in a bid to accelerate global efforts towards Net Zero and carbon neutral goals. These conversations are more critical than ever for the tourism industry, which is responsible for approximately 8% of the world’s carbon emissions. The UAE has played an increasingly crucial role in the fight against global warming, from committing to Net Zero by 2050 to marking 2023 as the Year of Sustainability. To ensure such endeavours go a long way in creating a positive impact on our people and the planet, our tourism ecosystem must make concerted efforts to keep sustainability high on the agenda and mitigate the overall effects of climate change.
It’s inspiring to witness several industry pioneers across Abu Dhabi already rising to this challenge. A comprehensive sustainability framework by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is enabling industry partners to apply sustainable practices across their operations and pledge towards Net Zero carbon events by 2050. In addition, the opening of Abu Dhabi Airports state-of-the-art Terminal A is spearheading a new chapter in the Emirate’s sustainable economic development. As a key player within the tourism industry, Miral has long been committed to this positive transformation. Sustainability is an integral part of our vision to deliver growth across the leisure, entertainment, and tourism sector. We define our success by creating a positive impact on the communities we serve – be it through our award-winning sustainable design and high-efficiency energy recovery systems at Etihad Arena; an equally environmentally conscious approach to construction across our wider developments; continued investments in innovative solar projects within our world-class theme parks and experiences; or our efforts to minimise environmental footprint across our hotels. As further testament to our unwavering commitment to sustainable practices, we are advancing marine conservation, research, and rescue efforts across the region; and championing environmental responsibility through public awareness initiatives. With every step we take, we actively prioritise the environmental impact of our destinations and experiences. But ultimately, we recognise that the key to responsible growth and development lies in collective action. Together, let’s harness our combined potential towards a shared vision for a more sustainable future. During COP28 and beyond, we have an important opportunity to lead by example and inspire the world in this far-reaching sustainability journey.”