The UAE is fast-tracking low-carbon economic growth to deliver new jobs, new industries and new revenue streams, said Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Special Envoy for Climate Change.
He was speaking at the Middle East and North Africa Climate Week (Menacw2022). Dr Al Jaber explained that the UAE is adopting a comprehensive, balanced and proactive approach to climate action and the energy transition that delivers sustainable economic growth.
“As a young country, and a responsible energy leader, the UAE has always faced the future with a positive mindset, and addressed challenges head-on. This is why we stopped flaring 30 years before the World Bank asked the industry to do so. It’s why we achieved 0.01 per cent methane intensity 20 years before the global pledge asking for a gradual reduction. It’s why we began to capture C02 (carbon dioxide) on an industrial scale before the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) called it an essential tool for de-carbonisation. And it’s why we became the first hydrocarbon producer to power our operations with zero-carbon energy,” Dr. Al Jaber added.
He pointed out that the UAE was also the first country in the region to sign and ratify the Paris Agreement, the first to commit to an economy-wide reduction in emissions, and the first to announce a Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative. The UAE has chosen to lead in these areas because it views climate challenges “not just as problems to fix, but as opportunities to seize,” he underlined.
While the world mobilises investments for a new energy economy and addresses the climate challenge, Dr. Al Jaber emphasised that recent events have “reminded us that we cannot simply switch off the current energy system”.
“We all need to recognise that the energy transition will take time and require sober, thoughtful planning. It is more evident now than ever before that this cannot be rushed. The push to divest from hydrocarbons has led to a supply crunch that is having the biggest impact on the most exposed. The clear lesson is that we should not adopt climate policies that lead to energy poverty. We need to keep investing in low-cost, low-carbon energy that can provide the baseload power that the world relies on,” said Dr. Al Jaber.
He had reiterated this message during his speech at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum held at Expo 2020 Dubai.
On climate finance, he said it can be an effective tool for climate action as he urged the international community to do more and fulfil the $100 billion climate pledge made to developing nations over a decade ago.
“The international community continues to fall short of the $100 billion climate finance pledge they made to developing nations over a decade ago. We need bold targets going forward and we need to start treating climate risks as potential global security risks.
“We have taken a partnership approach focused on projects in countries most exposed to climate risks because we know that local resilience builds global resilience. We have provided over $1 billion in climate aid to more than 40 countries. And our experience tells us that once concessional finance is there, private finance will follow.”
He concluded by extending the UAE’s invitation to governments, the private sector, financial institutions, and civil society to partner on solutions that make sense for our climate and the economy. He said, “We should not have to choose between the two. We can and we must make progress on both.”
The Mena Climate Week aims to accelerate collaboration and integrate climate action into global pandemic recovery. Other dignitaries present at the opening ceremony of this first edition included Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, minister of climate change and environment, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the World Green Economy Organisation (Wgeo) and MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa); and Patricia Espinosa, E
executive secretary of UNFCCC.
Dubai Police Academy has unveiled a new master’s degree in cybersecurity, the first of its kind among police colleges in the Arab world. The one-year programme, which begins in December 2025, comes with tuition fees of Dh60,000 and is open to both UAE citizens and residents.
Dr Ebtsam Al Awadhi, Director of Graduate Studies at the academy, said the degree will cover four key areas: policies and management, digital forensics, digital infrastructure and security, and scientific research and publishing. Unlike traditional police academic programmes that usually take two to three years, this one is designed to be completed in a single year, requiring 30 credit hours across three semesters and a summer term.
Eligibility/Admission Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in law, security sciences or a related field from a university recognised by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. At least five years of professional experience in cybersecurity is required, alongside English proficiency (IELTS 5.5, TOEFL CBT 5.5, TOEFL IBT 550, or equivalent). Candidates must also pass an academic exam and a personal interview.
Industry-driven approach Dr Saeed Al Rashdi, a cybersecurity expert, said the programme has been designed in line with market needs. “Practical training will take the largest share, supported by theoretical study, and industry specialists will deliver the teaching,” he explained.
Cybercrime expertise Dubai Police has been at the forefront of tackling digital crime, with its Criminal Data Analysis Centre working alongside the CID to use AI and advanced systems for detecting criminal hotspots and predicting cyber threats. The force has successfully disrupted high-value cyber fraud operations, including tracking a gang behind a multi-billion-dirham scam.
Graduates of the new programme will be well-placed to support such missions, with strong prospects for roles in the cybersecurity sector, and potentially within Dubai Police’s own cybercrime units.
Registration is now open on the Dubai Police Academy website, with the first intake expected to include 15–20 students.
In his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, has issued a new decree to rename the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Establishment.
The organisation will now be officially known as the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charitable Establishment.
The foundation, first established in 1997, continues to run humanitarian and charitable initiatives in the UAE and abroad. Its work includes supporting education, health, culture, social welfare, religion, and relief efforts for communities affected by crises and disasters.
It also provides financial aid to families in need, supports patients with medical treatment, and offers assistance to students and educators.
The Establishment will remain under the supervision of Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department and the Community Development Authority, ensuring compliance with local laws regulating charities and fundraising.
The decree took effect upon its publication in the Official Gazette.
Dubai Municipality has issued warnings to several engineering consultancy offices after finding that they exaggerated structural designs for citizens’ villas.
According to officials, these inflated designs went against the Dubai Building Code and led to unnecessary construction costs for property owners, without any real engineering need.
The move is part of the Municipality’s efforts to regulate Dubai’s construction sector and protect residents from extra financial burdens. Consultancy offices across the emirate had already been reminded through circulars to strictly follow approved engineering standards.
Eng. Maryam Al Muhairi, CEO of the Buildings Regulation and Permits Agency, said:
“Compliance with the Dubai Building Code is not only a legal requirement but also a professional and ethical responsibility. The goal is to ensure safe, high-quality construction without forcing citizens to pay more than necessary.”
She added that Dubai Municipality will continue to monitor consultancy offices and contractors to prevent excessive use of building materials, including steel, and ensure construction remains efficient, safe, and cost-effective.
Repeat offenders could face disciplinary measures, including poor annual evaluations or even suspension. Earlier this year, two consultancy offices were banned from licensing new projects for six months due to violations.
By cracking down on such practices, Dubai Municipality says it aims to strengthen the emirate’s construction sector, cut waste, and support sustainable urban growth.
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