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 major shift for global energy markets, the UAE has announced plans to exit OPEC and the OPEC+ alliance, effective May 1, 2026.
The move signals a bold step in the UAE’s long-term strategy, as it looks to gain greater control over its production policy and respond more flexibly to changing global demand.
Officials said the decision follows a comprehensive review of the country’s energy capacity and future outlook, with a focus on national interest and the ability to meet market needs more efficiently.
Despite ongoing geopolitical pressures, including supply concerns, global energy demand is expected to remain strong in the years ahead. The UAE says it is positioning itself to meet that demand with a balance of reliability, affordability, and sustainability.
The country, which first joined OPEC in 1967 through Abu Dhabi, has long played a key role in stabilising oil markets. Officials described the exit not as a break, but as an ‘evolution’, one that allows the UAE to act more independently while still supporting global market stability.
Positioning itself as a reliable energy partner, the UAE said it will continue supplying some of the world’s most cost-competitive and lower-carbon oil, while gradually adjusting production in line with demand.
At the same time, the country is doubling down on investments across the energy spectrum, from oil and gas to renewables and low-carbon technologies, as part of a broader push toward long-term resilience and economic diversification.
Price manipulation isn’t just unfair, it’s illegal in the UAE.
The UAE Public Prosecution has issued a strong warning to businesses, making it clear that inflating or fixing prices crosses the line into criminal activity, not clever strategy.
In a statement shared online, authorities reinforced that the UAE’s free-market system is built on fairness, transparency, and strict legal oversight. Any attempt to distort competition or exploit consumers is taken seriously and can carry legal consequences.
At the centre of this is Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2023, which bans monopolistic behaviour, price-fixing agreements, and the misuse of market dominance. The goal: keep markets open, competitive, and fair for everyone.
The Public Prosecution also highlighted its role in cracking down on economic crimes, working closely with other authorities to detect violations and protect consumers.
The message is simple: if you manipulate prices, you’re not just bending the rules — you’re breaking the law.
Motorists in Sharjah are being reminded to stay put after any accident, no matter how minor.
Sharjah Police has issued a fresh warning that leaving the scene of a collision, even a small scratch or low-speed bump, can lead to serious legal and financial consequences.
As part of a new awareness campaign, authorities stressed that every traffic accident must be reported, regardless of how insignificant it may seem. What some drivers consider a harmless parking lot scrape is officially treated as a hit-and-run if they drive away without reporting it.
The reminder comes as officials aim to clear up a common misunderstanding, many motorists assume minor incidents in residential areas or parking spaces don’t need to be reported. According to police, that’s simply not the case.
Under current traffic rules, leaving the scene of a minor accident can result in a Dh500 fine, eight black points on a driver’s record, and vehicle impoundment for seven days. Release fees can go up to Dh5,000, and repeated violations may even lead to licence suspension.
To drive the message home, police released an awareness video showing how quickly small accidents can happen in tight spaces like parking lots and narrow streets, and how easily they can turn into bigger legal issues when drivers fail to stop.
Authorities are urging motorists to stay at the scene, check on everyone involved, and report the incident through official channels, including the police app or by calling 901 for non-emergency situations.
In the end, officials emphasise that reporting an accident right away is the safest and simplest option, helping resolve matters quickly while avoiding penalties that can far outweigh the original incident.
