The United States and the United Arab Emirates have announced a $100 billion strategic alliance that aims to produce 100 gigawatts of sustainable energy by 2035.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that a memorandum of understanding had been signed between the two parties in Abu Dhabi outlining the terms of the deal.
“This memorandum of understanding is an important step forward in our joint efforts to accelerate our collective movement toward clean energy,” Blinken said
The agreement, which was signed at the Adipec energy conference, is titled “Partnership for Accelerating Clean Energy” (PACE) and pledges investment into clean energy solutions, emissions reduction and support for nuclear energy.
“The cooperation comes within the framework of the close friendship between the UAE and the United States of America” and “affirms the commitment of both sides to work to enhance energy security and advance progress in climate action,” said a statement issued by the UAE government and published by the state news agency WAM.
In addition to building infrastructure and supply chains, the program will promote investment in green mining and the production of minerals and products essential to clean energy solutions.
The White House described the new alliance as a significant accomplishment for President Joe Biden’s climate goals.
“Today President Biden again demonstrated his deep commitment to ensuring a global clean energy future and long-term energy security as the United States and United Arab Emirates announced a robust partnership to ensure the swift and smooth transition toward clean energy and away from unabated fossil fuels,” a White House statement said.
Climate change was a core theme of Biden’s election campaign, and the US president has already enacted legislation aimed at moving towards environmental sustainability.