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.
The US Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the US Consulate General in Dubai have suspended operations until further notice due to escalating regional tensions.
According to an official update, the US Department of State ordered non-emergency US government employees to depart the UAE on March 3 due to the heightened threat of armed conflict.
No walk-in or visa services
For the large American community living and working in the UAE, the closures mean:
No in-person consular services
No visa services for foreign nationals
No passport collections until security conditions improve
The mission confirmed that passport services for Americans without valid US passports will resume once it is safe to do so. Foreign passports currently held by the mission will also be returned when conditions permit.
Residents have been urged not to approach embassy or consulate premises for any reason at this time.
Why this matters for expat community
The UAE is home to tens of thousands of American citizens, alongside millions of expatriates from around the world. The temporary closure of US diplomatic missions may affect:
Visa applicants in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Americans renewing passports
Families with pending consular appointments
Residents awaiting document collection
Americans urged to depart
Earlier advisories encouraged US citizens planning to leave the UAE to do so via:
Commercial flights
Land borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia, which remain open
Those unable or choosing not to leave have been advised to shelter in place and take safety precautions.
The State Department has also urged Americans in multiple Middle East countries affected by the ongoing conflict to depart immediately due to “serious safety risks.”
Safety instructions for US citizens
Residents are being advised to:
Contact airlines immediately to check flight availability
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, has directed that salaries for Dubai Government employees be paid early, 17 March 17, ahead of Eid Al Fitr.
The move aims to help employees meet their families’ needs and share in the joy of the upcoming holiday.
Eid Al Fitr holiday dates
The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources confirmed that federal ministries, institutions and public sector entities will observe the Eid holiday from March 19 to 22, with official work resuming on March 23.
For private sector employees, the holiday will run from March 19 to 21. Authorities added that if Ramadan lasts 30 days, the private sector break will be extended to include March 22.
According to the UAE’s official public holiday calendar, Eid Al Fitr is observed from Shawwal 1 to 3 and is classified as a non-transferable public holiday.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) has indicated that Eid Al Fitr in 2026 is expected to fall on March 20 and continue until March 22, subject to the official moon sighting.
Moon-sighting committees will convene on the 29th day of Ramadan to determine the start of Shawwal. If the crescent is sighted on March 18, Eid would begin on March 19, potentially resulting in a four-day break from March 19 to 22, aligning Sunday with the usual weekend.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has confirmed that distance learning will continue for all private educational institutions in Dubai until Friday, March 6, as a precautionary measure amid ongoing regional developments.
In a statement shared on X, the regulator said the safety and well-being of students, parents, teachers and school staff remain its top priority.
KHDA also urged the education community to rely only on official government sources for updates and avoid sharing unverified information.
Nationwide remote learning extended
The decision follows a nationwide announcement by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, confirming that remote learning will continue across the UAE until the same date.
The extension applies to:
Public and private schools
Universities and higher education institutions
All students
Academic and administrative staff
In a joint statement, the two ministries said teaching and learning will proceed remotely under established assessment frameworks.
Authorities added that the situation will continue to be closely monitored, with further measures introduced if necessary to ensure the safety of students and the wider education community.
