Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week to explore role of industry convergence in accelerating sustainable development

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, ADSW, one of the world’s largest sustainability gatherings, has announced its theme for its next edition, which takes place from 12th to 19th January, 2019.

World Green Economy Summit to kick off in October in Dubai

The annual World Green Economy Summit, WGES 2018, will be organised in Dubai to tackle global issues and important strategies, including the digital age and its impact on building a ‘green’ and sustainable future growth across industries. This was announced today by the organising committee of the fifth WGES 2018.

UNHCR launches global #HandinHand campaign

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, is intensifying its efforts to support the overwhelming number of families torn apart by war and violence and who are struggling to provide for their families. The agency today launched its global campaign #HandinHand to raise awareness around the pressing need of refugee families, particularly women and children, for vital support and cash assistance.

ICBA scientists start growing halophytic vegetables in UAE

Scientists at the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture, ICBA, have successfully started growing halophytic (salt-loving) vegetables in the UAE conditions, using reject brine from desalination units treated with fish effluents. It is the first time that halophytic vegetables are being grown in the UAE conditions, both in the open field conditions and a simple net-house structure, without using fresh water.

Growth in global economy exceeds expectations, but increased risks could threaten economic outlook, UN report says

Growth in the world economy is surpassing expectations and global GDP is now expected to expand by more than 3 per cent this year and in 2019, reflecting strong growth in developed countries and broadly favourable investment conditions, a new UN report finds.

UAE leads region in renewable energy: APICORP report says

The UAE has done impressive work to stay on track with the renewable energy targets and with phases 3 and 4 of the Dubai Solar Park to begin commissioning by the end of 2020, and is placed at the forefront of renewable energy development in the region, according to a research published by the Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation, APICORP, on the regional renewable energy sector.

UAE heads 44th meeting of UNWTO Commission for the Middle East in Egypt

The UAE headed the 44th meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, UNWTO, Commission for the Middle East, which began in the Egyptian city of Sharm el Sheikh, with the participation of tourism ministers and officials from Middle Eastern countries and a senior UNWTO delegation, headed by Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the UNWTO.

Renewable energy jobs reach 10.3 million worldwide in 2017

The renewable energy industry has created more than 500,000 new jobs globally in 2017, a 5.3 percent increase from 2016, according to the latest figures released by the International Renewable Energy Agency, IRENA.

First Regional Biodiversity Forum kicks off in Abu Dhabi

The First Regional Biodiversity Forum kicked off in Abu Dhabi today with the attendance of more than 100 biodiversity experts and specialists from the region and around the world.

UNHCR, OIC join efforts in addressing a Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, OIC, yesterday concluded a two-day workshop on the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework, CRRF. The workshop was hosted by Jordan with the attendance of representatives of more than 45 member states, specialised agencies and international institutions participated in the workshop.

Abu Dhabi hosts the First Regional Biodiversity Forum in the Gulf Region

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), in cooperation with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) - Regional Office for West Asia (ROWA), will host the First Regional Biodiversity Forum from May 7-9 2018.

UAE rain enhancement programme to host top cloud seeding researchers

The UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science is gearing up to conduct a series of field experiments and preparatory meetings for leading global researchers in cloud seeding with the aim of supporting their research projects.

Abu Dhabi Fund for Development finances USD150 million Quweira Solar Power Plant in Jordan

A delegation from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, ADFD, today attended the official commissioning of the ADFD-funded AED550 million (US$150 million) Quweira Solar Power Plant in the Kingdom of Jordan.

UN Agencies, MIT Solve partner with the Mohammed bin Rashid Initiative for Global Prosperity to revolutionise social innovation

The Mohammed bin Rashid Initiative for Global Prosperity has unveiled key partnerships with eight entities of the United Nations and Solve, an initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT, during a private event hosted by the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit, GMIS, at the Hannover Messe 2018 in Germany. This announcement reaffirms the importance of achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, by enabling and inspiring a worldwide community of makers to create transformative solutions to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges.

Sustainable Communities and Climate Change Summit tackles global sustainability challenges

The Sustainable Communities and Climate Change Summit, SCCCS, was held today, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, to provide a dedicated platform to discuss major regional and international issues in relation to climate change and other sustainability challenges facing the global community.

UAE calls for global efforts to combat impunity for sexual violence during conflict

The UAE has urged the international community to intensify efforts to combat impunity for sexual violence during conflict and reaffirmed its commitment to the UN’s ongoing efforts in addressing these heinous crimes.

Sustainable Communities and Climate Change Summit to convene on 22nd April

Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, the Sustainable Communities and Climate Change Summit, SCCCS, will be organised by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, MOCCAE, in partnership with the Dubai Land Department and Majid Al Futtaim, on 22nd April in Dubai.

UAE committed to a sustainable future, says Al-Zeyoudi

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, delivered a ministerial address at the Green Business Summit 2018, underlining the numerous sustainability initiatives and environmental programmes being developed and implemented in the UAE. He emphasised that the UAE is well aware of the future impact of climate change and is firmly committed to the Paris Agreement. He said that last year the UAE launched its National Climate Change Plan, at the heart of which is the target of generating 27 percent of the country’s energy from clean sources by 2021, and 50 percent by 2050.

MOCCAE launches smart use of plastics campaign

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, MOCCAE, in collaboration with some public and private entities, has launched the 'Responsible Consumption for Sustainable Future' awareness campaign, with the theme, 'Preserving our Environment: Smart Use of Plastic'.

Etihad ESCO plans to reduce more than one million tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2030

More than one million tonnes of carbon dioxide will be reduced by 2030 and 1.7 TWh of electricity will be saved by the same year in Dubai, according to the new targets revealed by Dubai’s Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad ESCO).

UAE named world’s largest humanitarian donor for fifth straight year

The UAE has been named the world's largest donor of development assistance in proportion to its gross national income for the fifth year running, according to the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development.