UAE minister's China visit boosts climate, agriculture ties

Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, the UAE's minister of climate change and environment, concluded a high-level visit to China from July 7-10, the UAE Embassy in Beijing said, as the two countries seek to deepen cooperation on climate action, sustainable agriculture and food security.

UAE Ambassador to China Hussein Ibrahim Al Hammadi (R) and UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak (L) pose for photo in Beijing, July 7, 2025. [Photo Provided to China.org.cn]

Al Dahak described UAE-China relations as "a comprehensive and interconnected strategic partnership and a unique model for successful cooperation across various fields and projects."

She said the UAE views China as an important partner and hopes to combine China's agricultural innovation capabilities with the UAE's National Food Security Strategy 2051 to boost food production in both countries while expanding climate cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

UAE Ambassador to China Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi said the visit "opens a new chapter for cooperation between the two countries in climate, agriculture and other fields, reflecting the vision of leaders of both countries to build a prosperous future."

Representatives from China and the UAE pose for a group photo at the UAE-China Friendship Forest of Date Palm in Wenchang, Hainan province, July 10, 2025. [Photo Provided to China.org.cn]

A key part of the delegation's itinerary was a visit to the UAE-China Friendship Forest of Date Palm in Wenchang, south China's Hainan province. The project, launched by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during his 2019 visit to China, aims to plant 100,000 date palm seedlings.

Two phases of planting have been completed so far, totaling 25,000 seedlings. The remaining 75,000 will be planted in two phases in 2026 and 2028.

The delegation also visited institutions including the Beijing Tongzhou International Seed Industry Science and Technology Centre, Tsinghua University and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences to exchange views on seed science, the circular economy and the transfer of sustainable agricultural technologies.

Meetings on air pollution control and solid waste management were conducted with the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, alongside discussions on data transparency with the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs. Some members also visited technology firm Inspur Group to explore tech-based environmental solutions.

The delegation comprised senior officials from the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, agricultural institution heads and university experts. 

The embassy said the visit reflects the UAE's comprehensive determination to deepen cooperation with China at the government, academic and private sector levels.