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.
Pedestrians in Abu Dhabi are being reminded to use designated bridges, tunnels and crossings to stay safe and help reduce road accidents, according to Abu Dhabi Police.
The advisory comes as part of GCC Traffic Week 2026, held under the theme “I Cross Safely,” which focuses on improving road safety awareness across the region.
Officials warned that crossing roads from undesignated areas remains a high-risk behaviour, putting both pedestrians and drivers in danger, especially on busy roads where vehicles may not be able to stop in time.
Pedestrian crossings in place
Authorities highlighted that the UAE’s road network includes well-equipped pedestrian bridges, tunnels and marked crossings, designed to ensure safe and smooth movement across major roads.
Shared responsibility
Police are urging residents and visitors alike to follow traffic rules and act responsibly, stressing that road safety depends on collective efforts from both pedestrians and motorists.
For residents, the message is simple: use the right crossing points to stay safe and avoid unnecessary risks.
The US Mission to the UAE has advised American expats in the country to remain alert following warnings of potential aerial threats.
The guidance comes after alerts issued by the UAE Ministry of Interior, with officials confirming that recent aerial threats were successfully intercepted.
A Level 3 Reconsider Travel advisory from the US Department of State remains in place, urging citizens to exercise increased caution while in the country.
Embassy operations continue with adjustments
The US Embassy Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai remain open but are operating with reduced staffing under an ordered departure status, with non-essential personnel temporarily relocated.
Routine visa services are currently suspended, although emergency consular services remain available.
What US expats should know?
Authorities have encouraged citizens to stay informed through official channels and be prepared to follow safety instructions if needed, including temporary shelter-in-place measures.
Precautionary advice includes:
Staying away from windows during incidents
Keeping basic emergency supplies ready
Maintaining communication with family members
Officials say the situation is being closely monitored, with further updates expected as needed. UAE authorities have emphasised that response systems are active and effective, with safety remaining a top priority.
Passport services at Pakistani missions in the UAE have resumed, bringing relief to thousands of expats affected by a recent outage.
The Consulate General of Pakistan and Embassy of Pakistan confirmed that passport services are now fully operational as of Tuesday, May 5.
The disruption, which lasted around eight days, was caused by a technical fault at the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGI & P) headquarters in Islamabad, leading to a temporary suspension of passport services at missions abroad from April 29.
What should applicants do now?
Officials have advised applicants to visit embassies and consulates during designated service hours to complete passport applications and renewals.
Wider impact across the Gulf
The outage affected Pakistani missions across multiple countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait, leaving many unable to process documents during the disruption.
Pakistanis expats can now move forward, easing pressure for those needing urgent travel or documentation.
