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.
Flights operated by Air India Express to and from Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah are continuing as scheduled despite disruptions affecting services to Dubai.
The airline confirmed that its ad-hoc operations on these routes remain unaffected, even as flights to and from Dubai were cancelled after a temporary suspension of operations at Dubai International Airport earlier on Monday.
The disruption came after airport authorities halted flight operations at Dubai International Airport as a precautionary measure following an incident near the airport. Operations have since begun gradually resuming, with Emirates indicating it expects to operate a limited schedule.
Due to the earlier suspension, both Air India and Air India Express cancelled their Dubai services for the day. Passengers affected by the cancellations have been offered flexible travel options at no additional cost.
Oman Air flights
Meanwhile, Oman Air announced that several of its routes will remain suspended until March 31 due to ongoing regional airspace closures affecting flight operations.
The airline, however, confirmed that flights to and from destinations including Amman, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait City, Copenhagen, Baghdad, and Khasab will remain cancelled during this period.
Oman Air said most of its network continues to operate normally, while advising passengers affected by the disruptions to manage their bookings through the airline’s digital platforms.
Airlines across the region have been adjusting schedules and routes as regional airspace restrictions continue to impact operations.
The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has issued a silver commemorative coin to mark Emirati Children’s Day, celebrated annually on March 15.
The coin carries a nominal value of Dh15 dirhams, symbolically reflecting the date of the occasion. On the obverse side, the denomination is displayed alongside the inscription “Central Bank of the UAE” in both Arabic and English.
The reverse side features the official theme of this year’s Emirati Children’s Day: “The Right to Identity and National Culture.” The design includes an artistic illustration of a traditional fort, highlighting Emirati heritage and reinforcing children’s connection to their national identity and cultural values.
Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri, Assistant Governor for Banking Operations and Support Services at the CBUAE, said the commemorative issuance reflects the bank’s support for national initiatives that promote Emirati identity and strengthen values of belonging and citizenship within society.
A total of 2,000 coins have been issued, each weighing 28 grams of silver. The CBUAE said the coins will be made available for purchase, with details on the release date and purchasing mechanism to be announced later through its official website and social media platforms.
Dubai Municipality has introduced an advanced beach safety system that combines aquatic rescue robots with aerial water-rescue drones, marking a first for the Middle East.
The technology-driven initiative aims to strengthen coastal safety, improve emergency response times, and enhance protection for beachgoers across Dubai’s public beaches.
At the centre of the system is a remote-controlled aquatic rescue robot capable of travelling up to five times faster than a traditional lifeguard swimming rescue. The device operates within a range of up to one kilometre and can tow up to 500kg, enabling lifeguards to reach swimmers in distress quickly while reducing physical risk during rescue operations.
Water rescue drone
Supporting the system is a water rescue drone, often described as a “flying lifebuoy”. The drone can deploy rapidly over water, land on the sea surface, and provide immediate buoyancy support to individuals in distress.
Equipped with a live-feed camera, the drone also sends real-time visuals to lifeguard teams, helping improve incident detection, risk assessment, and coordination during emergencies.
Dubai Municipality said the aquatic robot and aerial drone operate within an integrated safety framework that includes trained lifeguards, continuous monitoring, and centralised control systems to strengthen rescue response across Dubai’s coastline.
Dubai Municipality manages public beaches across the emirate, including Umm Suqeim 1 Night Beach, Jumeirah 3 Night Beach, Jumeirah 1 Beach, Jumeirah 2 Beach, and Al Mamzar beaches.
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