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 has introduced a new legal framework governing administrative violations, penalties, and enforcement measures across government entities.
Issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Law No. (6) of 2026 aims to make enforcement fairer, more transparent, and consistent across the emirate.
Here’s a simple breakdown of what the law means.
What is the purpose of the law? The law creates a unified framework for handling administrative violations and penalties across Dubai government entities. It is designed to ensure enforcement actions respect fairness, transparency, accountability, and legality while protecting public services and community interests.
How are violations classified? Administrative violations must now be clearly defined by the competent authority and are classified into three categories:
Minor violations
Moderate violations
Serious violations
This classification helps authorities apply appropriate penalties based on the severity of the offence.
What penalties can authorities impose? Government entities may apply several administrative measures depending on the violation, including:
Warnings to correct the issue
Temporary closure of a business (up to six months)
Permanent closure of an establishment
Cancellation or modification of licences or permits
Suspension of projects, activities, or transactions
How will fairness be ensured? The law requires penalties to be proportionate to the violation and consider factors such as:
Whether the violation was intentional or accidental
Repeated violations
Damage caused
Whether the offender took steps to fix the issue early
What are the procedures before penalties are announced? Authorities must follow strict procedures before publishing violations:
Approval from the Director General of the government entity
Coordination with the Government of Dubai Media Office for public announcements
When does the law take effect? The law comes into force immediately after publication in the Official Gazette. Any conflicting provisions in previous laws will be cancelled. Officials say the law will help standardise enforcement practices across Dubai, prevent misuse of authority, and increase compliance with regulations, ultimately improving governance and protecting public interests.
Abu Dhabi has expanded its driverless taxi services on Yas Island with the addition of a new operator, Autogo, marking another step forward in the emirate’s autonomous mobility plans.
The expansion is being implemented in collaboration with Apollo Go, a subsidiary of China’s technology company Baidu, while Autogo, a subsidiary of K2, will serve as the local operator joining the growing ecosystem of autonomous transport providers.
The move follows the successful completion of testing and operational trials on Yas Island, allowing the service to transition into commercial operations for Level 4 autonomous taxis, which are capable of operating without human intervention in most conditions.
Residents and visitors can access the service through the AutoGo smart application, available on both Android and Apple app stores.
According to Waleed Alblooshi, Vice President of Strategy at K2, the rides will be offered free of charge at this stage, allowing the public to experience autonomous mobility as a practical transportation option before the service moves to full commercial operations.
Driverless taxi services are also expected to expand in the future to Al Reem Island, Al Maryah Island, and Al Saadiyat Island, as part of Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy to introduce smart mobility solutions across the emirate.
The initiative forms part of Abu Dhabi’s long-term vision to expand autonomous mobility services, diversify operators, and strengthen the overall readiness of the transport ecosystem.
In his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, has issued Law No. (5) of 2026 regulating the outsourcing of government services in Dubai.
The new law aims to enhance the efficiency and quality of government services while making them more accessible to customers. It also seeks to strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors, support Dubai’s strategic goals, and create more private-sector job opportunities for UAE nationals.
What the new law says
Under the law, outsourcing allows a contracted company to provide some or all government services on behalf of a government entity, based on agreed terms and conditions. The regulation aligns with global best practices to ensure transparency, efficiency, and improved service delivery.
The law outlines the role of the Department of Finance in overseeing government service outsourcing, including setting the rules, procedures, and compliance requirements for such arrangements. Contractors must be licensed private for-profit or non-profit organisations authorised to operate in Dubai.
Who is allowed to engage contractors?
Government entities are allowed to engage multiple contractors for the same service, ensuring fair competition. Exclusive contracts are only permitted if a contractor is the sole bidder.
The legislation also defines the contents and duration of outsourcing contracts, rules for termination, and protections for contractor assets. It includes provisions on violations and penalties, and allows contractors to assist in collecting fines related to service users who breach applicable regulations.
However, contractors whose employees are granted judicial enforcement authority are prohibited from imposing fines or administrative penalties beyond those specified in the government entity’s regulations.
Who will monitor performance?
Government entities must also monitor and evaluate contractor performance regularly, using performance indicators aligned with their strategic objectives.
In addition, contractors are required to employ at least one UAE national for every non-national employee, with salaries and incentives determined according to applicable regulations and contract terms.
The law states that Law No. (12) of 2020 on Contracts and Warehouse Management in the Dubai Government will apply to contractor selection procedures and any matters not addressed in outsourcing contracts.
Government entities and contractors have three years to align their operations with the provisions of the new law, which comes into force upon publication in the Official Gazette.
