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.
Expats living in the UAE can now complete their medical fitness test for residency visa renewal from home, thanks to a new service launched by Emirates Health Services (EHS).
The new initiative, called “Residency Renewal from Home,” allows residents to complete the mandatory medical screening without visiting medical fitness centres.
Instead, a specialised medical team visits the applicant’s home at a scheduled time to conduct the required tests.
How to book home appointment
Under the new service, once a resident books an appointment, a medical team from Wiqayati preventive health centres visits their home to carry out the medical examination.
The tests are conducted following approved health procedures and strict safety standards to ensure accurate results.
After the screening is completed, residents will receive their medical fitness results through SMS or email. They can then continue their residency visa renewal process online through official government channels.
Who can use this service?
The home medical screening service is currently available only for residency visa renewal.
It is especially helpful for residents who:
Prefer completing government procedures from home
Have mobility challenges
Have busy schedules and limited time to visit medical centres
By allowing medical tests to be done at home, authorities aim to make the residency renewal process faster and easier, improve customer experience and reduce crowding at medical fitness centres
The initiative also supports the UAE’s vision of smart healthcare services and a better quality of life for residents.
Dubai authorities have announced the Eid Al Fitr holidays for public sector employees in the emirate, ahead of the nationwide break marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement, Dubai Government’s Human Resources Department said government employees will receive a four-day holiday from Thursday, March 19, to Sunday, March 22. Official working hours will resume on Monday, March 23.
The UAE will sight the crescent moon of the Hijri month of Shawwal on Wednesday, March 18, after Maghrib prayers to determine the start of Eid Al Fitr, as the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle.
Earlier, the UAE’s Federal Authority for Government Human Resources and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced the Eid Al Fitr holiday schedule for federal government entities and the private sector.
For federal government employees, the holiday will run from Thursday, March 19, 2026, until Sunday, March 22, 2026, with work resuming on Monday, March 23.
Private sector employees will observe the holiday from Thursday, March 19, until Saturday, March 21. Employees who normally work on Sundays are expected to return to work on Sunday, March 22.
Authorities also noted that if Ramadan lasts 30 days, the private sector holiday will be extended to Sunday, March 22, aligning it with the public sector break.
Meanwhile, the UAE-based International Astronomy Centre has predicted that sighting the Shawwal crescent moon on March 18 will be impossible. This would mean Ramadan will complete 30 days, placing the first day of Eid Al Fitr on Friday, March 20 in the UAE and several other countries.
According to the centre, the crescent will not be visible because the moon will set before the sun and the conjunction will occur after sunset, making observation impossible on March 18.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued Law No. (4) of 2026 to regulate the management and occupancy of shared housing in Dubai.
The new law applies across Dubai’s private development zones and free zones and sets clear rules for property owners, authorised operators, and tenants involved in shared housing arrangements.
What the law aims to do
The legislation is designed to organise shared housing in the emirate and address issues such as overcrowding and informal accommodation. The law aims to:
Protect the rights of property owners and residents
Ensure safe and healthy living conditions
Prevent overcrowding and illegal housing practices
Address building and land-use violations
Promote fair rental practices
Support the stability and appearance of Dubai’s real estate market
Permit required for shared housing
Under the law, no individual or entity may allocate a property unit for shared housing without obtaining an official permit.
Permits will be issued and renewed according to rules set by Dubai Municipality, in coordination with Dubai Land Department and other authorities.
Properties must meet specific technical and safety requirements, including:
Maximum occupancy limits
Minimum space per resident
Adequate shared facilities
Compliance with building, health, fire, sanitation, security, and electrical standards
Permit validity and renewal
Permits are valid for one year and may be renewed for similar periods.
At the owner’s request, a two-year permit may be issued.
Renewal applications must be submitted at least 30 days before expiry.
Leasing rules
The law states that only the property owner or an authorised establishment can lease a shared housing unit.
Tenants or other parties are not allowed to sublease any part of the unit, ensuring better oversight and compliance with regulations.
Heavy fines for violations
Violating the law can result in fines ranging from Dh500 to Dh500,000.
If the same violation is repeated within one year, the penalty will be doubled, up to a maximum of AED1 million.
Authorities may also impose additional measures, including:
Suspension of activity for up to six months
Cancellation of the permit
Revocation of the commercial licence
Disconnection of public utilities
Eviction orders for non-compliant units
Oversight and implementation
Dubai Municipality will set detailed conditions for shared housing, including maximum occupancy levels, required space per resident, and necessary facilities. The authority will also determine which areas in Dubai are permitted for shared housing, based on urban planning, population density, infrastructure capacity, and neighbourhood characteristics.
The law applies to companies licensed to manage or lease properties on behalf of owners, including those operating in special development zones and free zones. However, collective labour accommodation is excluded from its scope.
When the law takes effect
The law will come into force 180 days after its publication in the Official Gazette, and any conflicting provisions in other legislation will be annulled.
