(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) MANAMA, Sept 9 (KUNA) -- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Jasem Al-Budaiwi affirmed Tuesday that GCC states have become an inspiring model in balancing economic growth, sustainability, and climate challenges.
This came in his address at the Second Global Conference on Water, Energy, and Climate, which kicked off today and was attended by Bahrain's Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa, along with ministers, specialists, and experts from around the world.
Al-Budaiwi noted that the world faces unprecedented challenges from climate change and mounting pressures on water and energy, stressing that GCC states, under their leaders' guidance, are turning these challenges into opportunities by advancing regional integration and reinforcing water, energy, and food security.
He highlighted the ambitious national strategies of member states toward carbon neutrality, the UAE targets 44 pct clean energy by 2050, Bahrain seeks 20 pct renewable energy by 2035 and net zero by 2060, Saudi Arabia aims for 50 pct renewable energy by 2030 and carbon neutrality in 2060.
Kuwait targets 15 pct renewable power generation by 2035 and carbon neutrality in 2050, Oman pursues 30 pct renewables by 2030, 39 pct by 2040, and net zero in 2050, while Qatar plans to meet 20 pct of its energy needs from renewables by 2030.
He stressed that these strategies reflect the GCC's commitment to climate responsibility, innovation, technology, and human capital investment, strengthening supply security and multiplying the economic and social impact of sustainable energy projects.
Al-Budaiwi expressed confidence in the region's determination, capabilities, and institutions to play a leading role in global sustainability, thanking the Kingdom of Bahrain for hosting the conference and voicing hope that it yields substantive recommendations to advance Gulf and international efforts toward a more sustainable future. (end)
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