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.
The UAE is stepping up efforts to improve road safety, with authorities increasingly turning to AI (artificial intelligence) to monitor driver behaviour and reduce traffic accidents.
The UAE Ministry of Interior revealed that AI-powered systems are now being used across the country to analyse motorists’ behaviour behind the wheel. The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to tackle human behaviour.
Road safety
Despite ranking among the top countries globally for road quality, the UAE continues to face concerns over traffic-related injuries and fatalities, with reckless driving and unsafe habits cited as leading causes.
Officials say the new AI systems go beyond traditional enforcement. Dedicated digital platforms are being used to identify accident hotspots, allowing authorities to respond with targeted safety measures and improved traffic management.
Training programmes for motorists
Drivers involved in both major and minor accidents are also being closely monitored. Based on their behavioural profiles, they are enrolled in structured training programmes designed to address risky driving patterns and improve overall road discipline.
Brigadier Dr Rashid Sultan Al Khudr, Director General of Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, said AI tools are also being used to assess driver risk levels. This helps authorities develop more focused initiatives and introduce standards aimed at curbing dangerous driving.
By combining high-quality infrastructure with AI-led monitoring and behavioural interventions, officials hope to significantly reduce accidents and create safer roads for all users.
The initiative also aligns with the UAE’s broader vision of building smarter, more sustainable cities, where innovation plays a central role in improving everyday life.
The UAE has marked a significant milestone in its logistics sector, with Etihad Rail successfully transporting its first consignment of Nissan vehicles by rail from Fujairah to Abu Dhabi.
The shipment, carried from the ports of Fujairah to the dry port at the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), represents the first time cars have been transported via the country’s national rail network. The move was carried out in collaboration with Al Masaood Automobiles and Etihad Rail Freight.
.@Etihad_Rail’s partnership with Al Masaood Automobiles demonstrates how national infrastructure and private sector capabilities converge with shared focus on progress and long-term value, advancing resilience and efficiency of the logistics sector. pic.twitter.com/97VWSGTTDl
Industry leaders say the development signals a major step forward in diversifying rail cargo beyond traditional bulk commodities, expanding into high-value shipments such as finished vehicles. It also highlights the growing role of rail in integrated, end-to-end supply chains across the UAE.
Omar Alsebeyi, CEO of Etihad Rail Freight, described the milestone as a clear demonstration of the network’s capabilities. For the automotive sector, the collaboration marks a first-of-its-kind partnership.
Beyond efficiency gains, the shift to rail freight also supports sustainability goals. Rail transport produces significantly lower emissions compared to road freight, aligning with the UAE’s broader environmental ambitions, including the Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative.
Officials say the milestone reflects the strength of the UAE’s integrated infrastructure ecosystem, where strategic investments and private sector collaboration are driving innovation in logistics and supporting long-term economic growth.
Dubai is taking a bold step in the global fight against hunger, with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announcing the launch of the world’s largest dates factory aimed at feeding millions of malnourished children each year.
The landmark initiative will produce up to 150 million date-fortified food units annually, targeting children suffering from malnutrition in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
Announced on Friday, the project is being developed in collaboration with key partners, aligned with a broader humanitarian vision led by Sheikh Mohammed. The factory will transform dates, a staple deeply rooted in the UAE’s heritage, into high-value nutritional products designed to combat hunger at scale.
“The goal is to produce 150 million date-fortified food units annually, dedicated to children suffering from malnutrition,” Sheikh Mohammed said, highlighting the UAE’s commitment to global food security.
He emphasized the cultural and historical significance of dates in the region, noting that palm trees have sustained communities for generations. The new initiative seeks to build on that legacy by repurposing the fruit into a modern solution for one of the world’s most urgent challenges.
The project forms part of a wider humanitarian push by the UAE. Earlier this year, Sheikh Mohammed launched the Edge of Life Ramadan campaign, which aims to help save five million children under the age of five from hunger and malnutrition.
Officials say the initiative also reflects a broader call for collective action, encouraging participation from individuals, institutions, and organisations across the UAE to support vulnerable populations worldwide.
By combining tradition with innovation, the UAE’s latest project signals a growing role in tackling global humanitarian challenges, one that extends far beyond its borders.
