UAE: Emirati COP27 youth leader spearheads sustainability club at Zayed University

UAE: Emirati COP27 youth leader spearheads sustainability club at Zayed University

Main idea behind initiative is to prepare students for upcoming COP28 and to involve youth in climate action

Published: Fri 20 Jan 2023, 5:31 PM

Building on her experience as a shadow negotiator at COP27, Emirati student Alia Abdulmajeed Hussain Abdulrahim Ahli has established the sustainability club at Zayed University (ZU), hoping to inspire more youngsters to get involved in environmental issues.

“The idea was to raise awareness about SDGs, climate change and what actions are being taken,” said Alia speaking to Khaleej Times.

“We also wanted to involve youth in climate action since they will be the leaders of tomorrow.”

This comes as the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Friday announced 2023 as the Year of Sustainability in the country. The country is gearing up for the global climate summit COP28, which will be held at Expo City Dubai this year from November 30 to December 12.

Alia is being supported in her endeavour by Dr Suzanna Elmassah, Associate Professor and the Sustainability Program Lead at ZU. “The group hopes to empower the UAE vision and commitment towards the environment,” she said.

“We hope that by creating awareness, we will facilitate this vision as young people have the multiplier effect