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.
Residents across the UAE have been urged to immediately stop using several health supplements and a laboratory product after the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) ordered their withdrawal from the market.
In four urgent circulars, the regulator announced the recall and ban of three food supplements and one medical product, citing safety concerns including unapproved ingredients, contamination risks and quality defects. The authority warned consumers not to purchase the named products, particularly through online sales platforms.
Businesses have also been instructed not to advertise, distribute, store or sell the affected items in pharmacies, medical warehouses, health shops or via e-commerce channels in the UAE.
Products that residents are advised to avoid
In its first alert, the EDE warned against an unauthorised supplement marketed as “Super Immune+”, stating that it contains unapproved ingredients, including dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), molybdenum amino acid chelate, and boron citrate. The product was neither registered nor legally imported into the UAE.
A second circular ordered the withdrawal of “WoundVite”, sold under the brand ZEN NUTRIENTS, after authorities identified the presence of a novel food ingredient not authorised under European regulations. The supplement had not undergone regulatory assessment in the UAE.
In a third notice, the EDE referenced a safety update issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), coordinating with disease control authorities, regarding the recall of certain batches of “Rosabella Moringa Capsule” due to potential Salmonella contamination.
Separately, specific batches of the laboratory product “Isotonac-4” were recalled following a reported quality defect. The manufacturer and supplier have been instructed to implement an immediate withdrawal.
Public advisory
The EDE urged residents to verify the registration status of supplements and medical products before purchase and to avoid buying unverified health products from unofficial online sellers.
Consumers who have purchased any of the named items are advised to discontinue use immediately and consult a healthcare professional if they experience any adverse effects.
Authorities continue to monitor the market to ensure consumer safety and prevent the circulation of unauthorised health products.
Etihad Rail has revealed new details of its highly anticipated passenger services launching in 2026, introducing exclusive family seating, strong onboard Wi-Fi for business travellers, and significantly reduced journey times across the UAE.
Azza AlSuwaidi, Deputy CEO of Etihad Rail Mobility, said the seating design will allow families to spend quality time together,a feature aligned with 2026 being the UAE’s Year of the Family.
Faster travel
The passenger rail network will connect 11 cities and regions, stretching from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east, passing through:
Ruwais
Al Mirfa
Abu Dhabi
Dubai
Sharjah
Al Dhaid
Fujairah
Travellers can expect major time savings, including:
57 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Dubai
105 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah
A separate high-speed rail service is also planned, connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai in just 30 minutes, with trains reaching speeds of up to 350 km/h.
Designed for families and daily commuters
Etihad Rail says the new passenger experience is built around comfort, reliability and flexibility.
Key features include:
Dedicated family seating areas
Strong Wi-Fi connectivity for remote work and business travel
Luggage storage for weekend trips and staycations
A consistent and reliable timetable for daily commuters
“For commuters, reliability is everything. Etihad Rail will offer a journey people can plan around, one that gives them useful and usable time back,” AlSuwaidi said.
The project is expected to reshape commuting patterns, boost tourism and business travel, and support the country’s long-term economic vision.
E-scooter riders in Dubai face a Dh200 fine for using jogging and sports tracks, according to a renewed safety warning from Dubai Police. Authorities stressed that sports and pedestrian-only tracks are strictly prohibited for motorised micromobility devices.
The reminder forms part of ongoing road safety campaigns aimed at reducing accidents and ensuring safe shared spaces across the emirate.
Fines for riding on sports and pedestrian tracks
Under Dubai’s e-scooter regulations, riding on jogging paths or pedestrian walkways carries a Dh200 penalty. Officials also warned that reckless riding or operating in unauthorised areas may result in confiscation of the e-scooter.
Dubai Police urged riders to follow lane discipline and remain within approved tracks.
Where e-scooters are allowed
Dubai has expanded its micromobility infrastructure, with dedicated cycling and e-scooter lanes across areas such as:
Hatta
Dubai Marina
Jumeirah
Riders must use designated paths marked for e-scooters or shared cycling lanes only.
E-scooter rules you must know
Regulations set by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in coordination with Dubai Police, include:
Minimum age of 16 years
Mandatory helmet
Valid UAE driving licence or free RTA e-scooter permit
Strict use of approved tracks only
Authorities reiterated that the fines aim to promote responsible riding and strengthen road safety across Dubai.
Residents can report violations through the Dubai Police app’s Police Eye feature or by calling 901.
