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.
Motorists in Abu Dhabi are being advised to expect delays this weekend after Abu Dhabi Mobility announced a partial closure on Arabian Gulf Street (E20).
According to officials, the closure affects the left lane heading towards Abu Dhabi and is part of ongoing traffic and infrastructure improvement works across the capital.
The temporary closure began at 12am on Friday, May 8, and will remain in effect until 5am on Monday, May 11.
Authorities have urged drivers to plan journeys ahead of time, allow for extra travel time and follow directional signs in the affected area to avoid congestion.
The latest traffic update comes as Abu Dhabi continues infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving traffic flow and road safety across key routes in the emirate.
Delivery riders in Abu Dhabi will soon face new road restrictions aimed at improving safety and easing traffic flow across key highways in the capital.
From May 15, authorities will ban delivery riders from using roads with speed limits of 120kph or higher, according to an announcement by Integrated Transport Centre, also known as Abu Dhabi Mobility.
The new rule also applies to a busy stretch of Sheikh Zayed Street between Sheikh Zayed Bridge and Sheikh Zayed Tunnel.
Officials said the move is designed to enhance road safety and improve traffic movement on some of the emirate’s most heavily used routes.
The decision follows similar measures introduced in Dubai last year, where delivery riders were restricted from using fast lanes on major highways.
Under Dubai’s rules, riders are not allowed to use the two leftmost lanes on roads with five lanes or more. On roads with three or four lanes, the leftmost lane is also off limits.
Authorities across the UAE have increasingly focused on delivery rider safety as the sector continues to grow rapidly alongside demand for food delivery and e-commerce services.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in India has asked all affiliated schools to urgently speed up the rollout of the third language (R3) for Class VI students ahead of the 2026–27 academic year.
In a fresh directive, CBSE said several schools are yet to complete the required process under the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023, while some institutions have submitted language options that do not comply with policy guidelines.
May 31 deadline for schools
The Board has now made it compulsory for all schools, including schools in UAE, to upload and finalise their third-language selections on the OASIS portal by May 31.
Schools that entered incorrect or non-approved language options have also been instructed to correct their submissions before the deadline.
Textbooks to arrive by July
The Board said textbooks for scheduled Indian languages will be available on the CBSE and National Council of Educational Research and Training platforms from July 1.
For non-scheduled languages, schools can use SCERT or state-approved textbooks, provided they align with the learning outcomes set under NCFSE-2023.
Focus on Indian languages
The Board reiterated that schools must offer at least two Indian languages under the R1, R2 and R3 language structure. Institutions that have not yet begun implementation have been directed to start teaching on July 1.
Push for full implementation
With timelines now clearly defined, CBSE is increasing pressure on schools to complete all pending formalities before the new academic session begins.
