UAE Foreign Affairs minister on two-day visit

THE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan yesterday arrived at the Brunei International Airport for a two-day visit here.

Accompanied by a 21-member delegation comprising officials and representatives from UAE's private sector, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah was welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah upon arrival. Also present at the airport was Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng.

In the afternoon, the UAE Foreign Affairs minister held separate meetings with Minister of Development Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdullah Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar and Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister's Office, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Mohammad Hj Daud at the Empire Hotel and Country Club.

During the meeting with the Energy minister, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah shared some of UAE's initiatives, in particular, advancements made by Abu Dhabi in the field of renewable energy, according to an officer from the Energy Division.

The Foreign Affairs minister briefed Pehin Dato Hj Mohammad on the ambition for Abu Dhabi's Masdar City to become the world's first zero-carbon emission, zero-waste city and shared several of UAE's projects in this aspiration. His Highness also shared how UAE was campaigning for Abu Dhabi to become the host for the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena). Although Brunei is not a member of Irena but is exploring the potentials of renewable energy, the Energy minister lauded these initiatives and looked forward to see their future development.

His Highness also expressed his wish to foster cooperation between the two countries within the power sector. In the evening, a dinner was hosted by His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah in honour of the UAE Foreign Affairs minister and delegation at the Balai Penghadapan, Bukit Kayangan. Present at the dinner was Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, ambassador-at-large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pehin Dato Lim, Pehin Dato Hj Abdullah and Pehin Dato Hj Mohammad. The purpose of the minister's visit was not disclosed.

The Brunei Times