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.
Some of Dubai’s busiest malls are set to introduce AI-powered parking enforcement to address the misuse of spaces reserved for People of Determination (PoD).
Parkin Company has signed a multi-year agreement with Emaar Properties to roll out the system across Dubai Mall, Dubai Hills Mall and Dubai Marina Mall.
The move aims to protect dedicated parking bays, improve compliance, and ease congestion at high-traffic retail destinations frequently visited by residents and tourists.
How the tech works
The system uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to monitor vehicles entering PoD-designated spaces.
Number plates are scanned and checked against valid permits. If no permit is found, the case is flagged for review at a central control centre. Drivers may face penalties, although a short grace period will allow time to move vehicles in case of mistakes.
On-ground inspections will continue alongside the new technology to ensure compliance with parking rules.
At Dubai Mall, parking systems are already integrated with Salik Company technology, including ticketless entry, number plate recognition, and automatic fee collection.
Stricter parking rules
For shoppers and mall visitors, the change means stricter enforcement of PoD parking rules to ensure these spaces remain available for those who genuinely need them.
It also signals a wider shift towards smart city solutions in Dubai, where AI is increasingly used to improve everyday services, from traffic flow to parking management, while enhancing accessibility and fairness.
Motorists in Abu Dhabi will see changes to their daily commute, as two new toll gates were activated today.
The move, announced by the Integrated Transport Centre, is part of ongoing efforts to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow across key routes in the emirate.
The new toll points will be located on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Road in Ghantoot and on Karama Oasis Road at the entry and exit of Sheikh Zayed Road, areas identified through traffic studies as high-density corridors.
Dh4 per crossing
Drivers passing through these gates will be charged Dh4 per crossing, in line with existing toll rules. The system will operate 24/7, with current exemptions continuing for eligible groups, including senior citizens, People of Determination, low-income residents, and retired Emiratis.
To help motorists plan their journeys, authorities have also highlighted alternative routes. Drivers can divert via Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Road or Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, while those travelling through Ghantoot can use Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road.
What it means for drivers
For residents and expats, the new toll gates may mean slightly higher commuting costs, but they are designed to improve travel times and reduce bottlenecks, especially during peak hours.
Officials say the rollout reflects Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy to support urban growth and manage increasing traffic volumes, with the impact of the new gates set to be reviewed regularly.
The Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai indicated that passport services, disrupted due to technical issues, are expected to resume on Monday, May 4.
The suspension, announced earlier this week by Pakistan’s missions in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, stems from a major technical glitch that affected systems across multiple countries. Officials confirmed that all in-person processing would remain halted until further notice.
Roughly 800 to 1,000 expats rely on the consulate and embassy every day. That’s a huge volume, and delays have hit people needing passport renewals, visa processing, and residency-related paperwork. For several residents, it has directly affected their travel plans, legal status, and employment.
To ease the impact, missions have advised Pakistani citizens to use the online passport application system for renewals and new requests where possible. Those unable to access digital services are asked to wait for further guidance until operations are restored.
