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 set to make everyday shopping easier, the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism has introduced a new digital tool that lets residents compare prices of essential goods across major retailers.
Called the Essential Goods Prices Platform, the initiative is designed to boost transparency and help shoppers find the best deals on daily essentials.
What you can check
The platform covers more than 30 essential items in its first phase, including:
Cooking oils, rice, sugar, and bread
Eggs, dairy products, meat, poultry, and fish
Fresh fruits and vegetables
It gives users a clear snapshot of price ranges across supermarkets, making it easier to spot where your money goes further.
How it works
Prices are updated daily from major retailers
Users can compare minimum and maximum prices
Track differences between stores and locations
Build a custom shopping basket to find the cheapest option
It’s essentially like having a real-time price comparison tool before you even step into a store.
With the cost of living always a concern, this platform puts more control directly in the hands of consumers.
It helps:
Save money on weekly groceries
Promote fair competition among retailers
Prevent unjustified price increases
By making pricing more transparent, the UAE is aiming to protect consumer spending while keeping the retail market balanced.
This launch builds on ongoing efforts by the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism to monitor essential goods and ensure price stability.
Now, instead of that data staying behind the scenes, it’s being shared openly, giving residents the power to make smarter, more informed shopping decisions.
In a major boost to Dubai’s road network, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has officially opened a key stretch of the Hessa Street Development Project, transforming one of the city’s busiest corridors.
The newly completed 4.5 km section connects Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Khail Road, with the road now expanded to four lanes in each direction, significantly easing congestion.
يعد شارع حصة أحد أهم محاور الطرق الاستراتيجية في إمارة دبي، ويخدم عدداً من المناطق السكنية والتطويرية، مثل منطقة الصفوح الثانية، ومنطقة البرشاء السكنية، وقرية جميرا الدائرية. يُتوقع أن يصل عدد سكان المناطق التي يخدمها المشروع إلى أكثر من 640 ألف نسمة عام 2030، ويسهم في زيادة… pic.twitter.com/mQw9bkkuuM
The upgrade is expected to dramatically improve daily travel:
Journey time reduced from 15 minutes to just 4 minutes
Road capacity doubled from 8,000 to 16,000 vehicles per hour
Major junctions upgraded include:
Al Asayel Street
First Al Khail Street
Key interchanges at Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road
What’s new on Hessa Street
The project introduces several infrastructure enhancements:
New slip road above the Dubai Metro Red Line
Widened bridges at major intersections
Direct links towards Sharjah and Deira via Al Khail Road
These upgrades are designed to streamline traffic flow and reduce bottlenecks across the corridor.
Supporting Dubai’s growing communities
According to Mattar Al Tayer, the project supports rapid urban expansion across key residential areas like Al Sufouh 2, Al Barsha, and Jumeirah Village Circle.
The population served is expected to exceed 640,000 by 2030, highlighting the importance of this upgrade.
What’s next
Phase Two is already underway, extending the project from Al Khail Road to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.
Once complete, it will:
Cut travel time from 24 minutes to 5 minutes
Serve around 650,000 residents across 10 communities
In a strong move to protect consumers and market stability, the UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism has referred a group of businesses to the Public Prosecution for unjustifiably increasing poultry prices.
Authorities said the group exploited ongoing regional developments to inflate prices, a practice that directly violates consumer protection laws and threatens both food security and economic stability in the country.
What the law says
Under Article 5 of the Regulation of Competition Law UAE, businesses are strictly prohibited from engaging in practices that distort or restrict competition.
This includes:
Price-fixing or artificially inflating prices
Coordinating to limit supply or control distribution
Colluding in tenders or bids
Imposing unfair conditions on sales or purchases
The law also bans tactics like hoarding, unjustified stockpiling, or creating artificial shortages to manipulate market prices.
Why this action matters
Officials emphasised that such violations go beyond simple misconduct, they can disrupt entire supply chains and impact everyday consumers.
By taking legal action, the ministry aims to:
Maintain stable food prices
Protect consumer rights
Ensure fair competition in the market
Safeguard national food and economic security
Ongoing market monitoring
This case is part of wider inspection campaigns being carried out across the UAE to monitor pricing and prevent manipulation, especially in essential goods like food.
Authorities have signalled zero tolerance for businesses attempting to exploit market conditions for unfair gains.
