AU co-leads the UAE Universities Climate Network

The UAE’s Universities Climate Network (UCN), a 35-member group, has announced the appointment of Khalifa University’s Dr. Samuel Mao and Dr. Rasha Bayoumi of the University of Birmingham Dubai as Co-Chairs and Ajman University's Maya Haddad as Head of Operations, taking the UCN to the next stage of advancing climate action regionally and internationally, and promoting sustainability across the UAE’s academic sector. 

An official handover ceremony organized at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) was attended by His Excellency Edward Hobart, the UK Ambassador to the UAE, His Excellency Ambassador Majid Al-Suwaidi, Director-General, COP28 UAE Presidency, Professor Sir John O’Reilly, President, Khalifa University, and other key stakeholders.

Her Excellency Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, said: “Universities play an integral role in supporting climate action. They provide the research, education and expertise to respond to the climate challenge, developing the solutions and capacity to reduce emissions and address the adaptation gap. With the appointments of Dr Samuel Mao, Dr Rasha Bayoumi and Ms Maya Haddad in the UAE, I am delighted that UCN are building on their success at COP28 to take forward this agenda across the MENA region.”

The UAE Universities Climate Network (UCN) is a powerful alliance of 35 universities across the Emirates. We stand united in the fight against climate change, empowering young minds to become the next generation of environmental leaders.
This network was formed to unify the voices of UAE universities, showcasing the crucial role of higher education in tackling climate change. Its lasting impact extends beyond COP28. The network's strategy rests on four pillars for thought leadership and action:

Student Youth Engagement Pillar:
Empowering Youth Climate Leaders: Igniting a global movement of student climate action by empowering young leaders from the UAE and worldwide.
Research & Innovation Pillar:
Fueling Innovation and Solutions: Disseminating climate research and analysis, providing policymakers with actionable recommendations to accelerate climate solutions.
Communal Activations Pillar:
Engaging Communities with Action: Activating university campuses and stakeholders to broaden public engagement on climate change through evidence-based initiatives.
Campus Carbon Neutrality Pillar:
Leading by Example: Pioneering Carbon Neutrality: Spearhead university decarbonization plans, aligning with the UAE's ambitious 2050 Net Zero strategy.

The UCN offers a variety of opportunities to get involved, from participating in research projects and workshops to attending conferences and events. Whether you're a student, faculty member, or community leader, there's a place for you in our network.
Together, we can create a more sustainable future for the UAE and the world.

To learn more about the UCN, check out their LinkedIn page here.