UAE President, Al-Azhar Grand Imam Discuss Climate Change, Religious Co-op

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, on the sidelines of his working visit to Azerbaijan, where he is participating in the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29, being held from November 11-22, 2024.

The meeting, which took place at the UAE President's residence in Baku, discussed the strong relations between the UAE and Al-Azhar and their cooperation in promoting dialogue and understanding on both regional and international levels, as reported by the UAE’s WAM news agency.

The two leaders also discussed COP29’s focus on the critical role of religious leaders and institutions in raising awareness of climate change risks, the importance of environmental protection, and the need to advance global climate action for the benefit of humanity and the protection of the planet.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed expressed his appreciation for Al-Azhar's global role in spreading moderation and coexistence. The Grand Imam, in turn, thanked the UAE for its support to Al-Azhar, commending the UAE's humanitarian approach both regionally and globally.

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Head of Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Special Affairs Advisor at the Presidential Court; and Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology.