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.
In a move designed to strengthen healthcare in the UAE, authorities have made it easier for medical teachers to work in healthcare sector, without compromising on safety or standards. The licensing requirements for some health graduates have also been eased.
So, what’s changing?
Doctors and professors who teach in universities can now practise in the healthcare sector more easily, bringing their knowledge directly into real-world patient care. This means students learn from professionals who are actively working in the field, not just teaching from textbooks.
Officials say this is a win-win. Patients benefit from high-level expertise, while students gain hands-on learning and exposure to real cases.
The update is part of a bigger plan to modernise the system and make it more flexible, while still keeping strict rules in place to ensure quality and patient safety.
It also helps fresh graduates in nursing and allied health fields enter the workforce faster, supporting hospitals with more skilled professionals.
Authorities say the UAE’s strong digital systems and coordination between government entities are helping make these changes smoother and quicker to implement.
This step brings education and healthcare closer together, helping build a stronger, more skilled workforce while improving patient care across the country.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a major expansion of vehicle testing and registration services, identifying Deira, Bur Dubai, and Mohammed Bin Rashid City as key locations for new centres.
The move opens up fresh investment opportunities, allowing existing operators and new investors to establish centres or expand branches under approved regulations.
Jebel Ali testing centre fully operational
As part of this expansion, RTA has also launched the Al Riyada Vehicle Testing and Registration Centre in Jebel Ali, which is now fully operational. The centre offers testing and registration services with extended working hours to improve accessibility and customer convenience.
The initiative comes in response to Dubai’s rapid urban growth and increasing demand for efficient transport services. By expanding its network, RTA aims to bring services closer to residents while ensuring faster and smoother transactions.
Besides convenience, the expansion is expected to enhance vehicle inspection processes and raise overall service quality in line with Dubai’s long-term mobility goals.
Dubai currently operates 29 authorised vehicle testing and licensing centres, all equipped with advanced technologies and skilled personnel.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has released a detailed guide explaining how remote and hybrid work is regulated in the UAE’s private sector, and the key takeaway is simple: working from home doesn’t mean relaxed rules. Here’s a lowdown on what the rules are:
Are remote workers treated differently? Not really. Employees working remotely are entitled to the same salary, working hours, leave, and legal protections as office-based staff. The only thing that changes is where the work gets done.
What are employers required to do? Companies must:
Provide clear contracts covering salary, role, and working hours
Ensure legal work limits (8 hours/day, 48 hours/week)
Grant all leave benefits (annual, sick, maternity, etc.)
Provide necessary devices and tools
Pay dues on time and avoid charging recruitment fees
Monitor performance responsibly
What’s expected from employees? Remote workers must:
Complete tasks themselves (no outsourcing)
Stick to agreed working hours
Respond promptly and attend virtual meetings
Protect company data and use tools properly
Deliver work on time and maintain quality
What about working hours and overtime?
Standard: 8 hours/day or 48 hours/week
Extra hours = paid overtime
At least one weekly day off is mandatory
How does leave work?
Annual leave: 30 days after 1 year
Sick leave:
15 days full pay
30 days half pay
45 days unpaid
Maternity leave: 60 days (45 full + 15 half pay)
Additional: parental, bereavement, study, and national service leave
Can employers monitor remote workers? Yes, but monitoring must be reasonable and respect privacy.
What counts as misconduct?
Ignoring work during official hours
Missing deadlines repeatedly
Doing personal tasks during work time
Delegating tasks without approval
Logging in without actually working
Serious violations can lead to disciplinary action or termination.
How is performance measured? Not by being “online” but by output and quality of work.
Why this matters Remote work offers flexibility in location, not in responsibility. The rules make it clear: professional expectations remain just as strict as in the office.
Work-from-home in the UAE is structured, regulated, and performance-driven, same rules, different setting.
