The Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at driving sustainable development and boosting cooperation in the various areas related to environmental protection.

The MoU was signed between Environment Authority and UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment.

A UAE delegation, headed by Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, concluded an official visit to Oman last week.

During her visit, ways of enhancing cooperation in fish farming, achieving net-zero targets, mangrove plantation and the UAE’s preparations for the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) were the main areas of discussion.

According to UAE news agency WAM, Mariam said that the UAE seeks to encourage the implementation of eco-friendly solutions to address environmental challenges, in line with its hosting of COP28 and its efforts to push forward climate action locally and globally.

The visit included meetings with Dr. Abdullah bin Ali al Amri, Chairman of Environment Authority, and H E Dr Saud Hamoud al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources of Oman.

As per the MoU, the two sides will exchange research and studies, and conduct joint research in the fields of environmental preservation, enhancing air quality, biodiversity conservation, achieving sustainable development goals , and preparing sustainable development progress reports.

Both sides will also exchange best practices and policies related to environmental conservation and reducing pollution.

Oman and the UAE held an official session of talks on environmental issues, in Muscat on Wednesday.

During the session, the two sides discussed plans to combat plastic pollution and refrigerant gases. The two also viewed the experience of wind energy and electric energy, in addition to devising the necessary mechanism for activating research between the two countries in the field of fish farming and marine fisheries, as well as exchanging expertise and best practices, among other topics of concern.