Might Dubai help the Solomon Islands mitigate climate change?
Expo 2020 is a World Expo being hosted by Dubai in the United Arab Emirates next year and opening on 27 November.
I believe the Solomon Islands is intending to participate in the event.
Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability are said to be the three main themes of the Expo and as the Solomon Islands is faced with the growing impact of climate change, it needs to embrace alternative sources of food, water, and clean and renewable energy, In such circumstances, it is hoped that Dubai might possibly help to mitigate the climate crisis at home.
I express this hope because Kiribati will receive help from the United Arab Emirates for its pavilion at the 2020 World Expo in Dubai.
“The two countries signed an agreement at a meeting on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York this week that will also allow visa free entry to both states.
“At the meeting, Kiribati President Taneti Maamau and the UAE Minister for International Cooperation, Princess Reem Al Hashimy, discussed help the UAE could offer to Kiribati to mitigate the climate crisis.”
(Source Radio New Zealand)
The Solomon Islands established diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates in 2010
Soon after establishing diplomatic ties, the UAE’s Foreign Minister visited a number of countries in the Pacific, including Solomon Islands, and discussed his country's 50-million U-S dollars Partnership Programme with the Pacific, to be managed by the Abu Dhabi Fund.
I am not aware of the extent of Dubai’s aid to the Solomon Islands since 2010 but would hope, like the offer of UAE help to Kirabati, some assistance might be possible in the areas of climate mitigation and sustainability.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
