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.
Dubai motorists can expect faster access to Dubai Harbour this summer as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) prepares to open a major new bridge that will dramatically cut travel times in the area.
The new bridge is expected to significantly ease congestion around Dubai Harbour and nearby communities.
RTA says the project will reduce travel times from around 12 minutes to just three minutes, while accommodating up to 6,000 vehicles per hour in both directions.
Now, nearly 90 per cent complete, the 1.5-km bridge features two lanes in each direction, providing direct entry and exit between Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubai Harbour.
First phase to open this month
The first phase of the bridge will open later this month, allowing traffic travelling from Sheikh Zayed Road, from both Deira and Jebel Ali directions, to access Dubai Harbour directly.
The second phase, scheduled for July, will open routes from Dubai Harbour towards Al Naseem Street, as well as connections to the intersection of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street and Al Naseem Street.
Connecting key areas
The bridge starts at Interchange 5 on Sheikh Zayed Road near the American University in Dubai and extends to Dubai Harbour Street.
The route passes through key intersections, including Al Naseem Street, Al Falak Street and King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, improving connectivity across one of Dubai’s busiest coastal districts.
Once fully operational, the bridge is expected to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and support growing demand in Dubai Harbour and surrounding residential and tourism areas.
Dubai government employees will enjoy a public holiday on Monday, June 15, to mark the Islamic New Year (Hijri 1448 AH), authorities have confirmed.
The Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) announced that all government departments, entities and institutions will observe the holiday, with normal working hours resuming on Tuesday, June 16.
Three-Day weekend
As the holiday falls on a Monday, most Dubai government employees who follow a Saturday-Sunday weekend will benefit from a three-day break.
However, departments operating essential services or shift-based systems may adjust work schedules to ensure uninterrupted public services during the holiday period.
UAE-wide public holiday
The announcement follows confirmation from the UAE’s Federal Authority for Government Human Resources and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, which declared June 15 an official holiday for both public and private sector employees across the country.
Sharjah residents get a 4-day break
For government employees and students in Sharjah, where the official weekend runs from Friday to Sunday, the holiday creates a four-day weekend.
DGHR extended its congratulations to the UAE leadership, citizens, residents and the wider Arab and Islamic world, wishing continued prosperity, progress and stability.
Parents and teachers in Dubai will soon have a direct role in shaping the future of education, following the launch of two new advisory councils by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).
Building on the success of the Dubai Students Council, KHDA has announced the creation of the Dubai Parents Council and Dubai Educators Council, both set to begin work at the start of the 2026-27 academic year.
Giving parents and teachers a voice
Each council will consist of 15 members selected through a transparent process and will serve as a formal platform for dialogue between the education community and regulators.
The initiative attracted strong interest, with KHDA receiving 152 applications for the Parents Council and 160 applications for the Educators Council, including submissions from Emirati parents and teachers across Dubai.
Supporting Dubai’s education vision
The new councils are designed to strengthen community participation in education and support the goals of Dubai’s Education 33 Strategy.
Members will have the opportunity to share ideas, highlight challenges and contribute recommendations on key issues affecting schools and early childhood centres across the emirate.
Focus on student success
The councils are expected to discuss a range of topics, including student wellbeing, inclusion, teaching quality, parental engagement and school-community partnerships.
KHDA said the move reflects its commitment to collaborative decision-making and aims to strengthen trust between families, educators and education authorities.
By formally including parents and teachers in the conversation, Dubai is taking another step towards creating a more inclusive and responsive education system that reflects the needs of its diverse school community.
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