Author: Web Desk

The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) convened policymakers, technology players and global industrial leaders at COP28 in a series of specialised sessions to discuss enhancing the industrial sector’s contribution to climate action and sustainable economic development.

The sessions took place under the umbrella of MoIAT’s Decarbonizing Industry with Technology Program in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

The discussions align with the UAE’s commitment to achieving climate neutrality, sustainable economic development, and accelerating decarbonisation across all national sectors. The initiative is part of the ministry’s strategy to accelerate technology transformation and decarbonise hard-to-abate industrial sectors.

A high-level session titled ‘Technology in Decarbonization’ included Sarah Al Amiri, UAE Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology and Gerd Mu¨ller, Director-General of UNIDO.

The session, which took place
in COP28’s Blue Zone, addressed the opportunities and challenges related to decarbonisation, with a focus on the role of government in accelerating the development and deployment of decarbonisation technologies.

Al Amiri said, ‘The industrial sector is responsible for one-third of global emissions. Driven by the UAE’s principle of turning challenges into growth opportunities, harnessing and adopting decarbonisation technologies in the sector holds high potential for growth and success. At the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, we are committed to promoting this in line with the objectives of UAE Net Zero by 2050 and National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology.’

During the session, Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, announced the launch of the UAE Industrial Decarbonization Roadmap.

RD for Climate Action

‘Research and Development for Climate Action’ discussed the pivotal role of RD in advancing solutions to address climate change. It h
ighlighted the importance of global RD collaboration to accelerate climate action, as well as the existing challenges and opportunities in upscaling and commercialising climate technologies.

The session was held with the participation of Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO of IBM, Dr. Ray Johnson, CEO of Technology Innovation Institute and Professor Paul Monks, Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero in the UK.

Decarbonization of Hard-to-Abate Sectors

‘Decarbonization of Hard-to-Abate Sectors: A Global Imperative’ addressed global efforts, challenges, and opportunities in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors. The discussion focused on accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies and fostering collaboration to promote sustainable practices.

The session was held with the participation of Sarah Al Amiri, UAE Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, Dr. Roland Busch, President and CEO of Siemens AG, Fernando O. González, CEO of CEMEX, and Eng. Saeed
Ghumran Al Remeithi, CEO of Emirates Steel Arkan.

Tripling Renewable Energy

‘The Roadmap to Tripling Renewable Capacity: Advancing the Energy Transition’ brought together policymakers, technology experts, and providers to identify strategies and highlight best practices for the effective integration of renewable energy resources into existing systems. The discussion explored opportunities to promote renewable energy applications for sustainable development, showcasing breakthroughs in relevant technologies, and examining the private sector’s role in expediting adoption.

The session was held with the participation of Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of MoIAT, Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer at TotalEnergies, Roger Martella, Chief Sustainability Officer at GE and Phil Hart, Chief Researcher at the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Research Center.

Hydrogen

The session titled ‘Low-Emission Hydrogen for Net-Zero Industrial Development’, highlighted the role of the energy sou
rce in deep decarbonisation across industries including steel, cement, transport, and energy. The discussion brought together policymakers, technology providers, and experts to highlight the critical role of low-carbon hydrogen. It aimed to explore factors facilitating its production and applications throughout the industrial value chain, propelling industries towards a sustainable future.

The session was held with the participation of Abdulla Al Shamsi, Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Growth at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, Martin Durbin, President for the Global Energy Institute in the US Chamber of Commerce, and Joe Wang, Secretary-General of the International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association (IHFCA).

In line with the UAE leadership’s vision and nation’s commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2050, the ministry’s participation in COP28 is aimed at encouraging industrial companies to embrace advanced technology solutions to enhance energy efficiency, promote sustainable pr
actices, and adopt clean and renewable energy solutions.

MoIAT aims to boost and attract local and international invstments in sustainable and future industries, as well as enhance the growth, development, and competitiveness of the national industrial sector to strengthen the UAE’s position as a global hub for innovation, aligning with the objectives of the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology.

Source: Emirates News Agency

The Ministry of Economy, in partnership with global fintech company Capital.com and leading Vietnamese electric vehicle producer VinFast, has hosted the Sustainable Trade Forum at COP28.

A key component of the first ever Trade Day at a Conference of the Parties, the forum brought together global business and investment leaders to offer private-sector perspectives on global trade and its role in shaping a more climate-friendly economy.

The Forum was opened by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, who underlined the importance of trade to the global climate-change conversation and the role of the private sector in delivering the solutions capable of making a meaningful, long-term impact.

The sessions included ‘Strengthening Sustainable Supply Chain Resilience: Navigating Global Disruption’ and ‘Fostering Green Entrepreneurship: Nurturing a Sustainability-led Startup Ecosystem, and featured expert insights from across the logistics, mobility, utilities and food sectors.

Al Zey
oudi said, ‘While policymakers and politicians can set the framework, it is the business owners, industrialists and entrepreneurs who will be needed to bring real, scalable solutions to market. By bridging the gap between policy-makers and private sector leaders, the Sustainability Trade Forum marks a critical step forward in delivering a trading system that is cleaner, smarter, faster – and one that ultimately moves us closer to the goals of the Paris Accords.’

He added that as the UAE builds toward the World Trade Organisation’s 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), which will take place in Abu Dhabi in February 2024, the Sustainable Trade Forum offered an important platform for building consensus on how to shape a modern global trading system that is open, inclusive and equitable, and provides nations with the means to deliver on their climate goals.

During the panel discussions, Le Thi Thu Thuy, Global CEO of Vinfast, highlighted how electrified mobility can play a leading role in building sustainable sup
ply chains.

She said, ‘Of course, by replacing traditional combustion-engine vehicles, EVs reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but they also promote energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources. As we look to the future, the integration of EVs into global value chains offers a powerful strategy in our transition to a more sustainable and resilient economy.”

For his part, Kypros Zoumidou, Group CEO of Capital.com, said, ‘Committing to a sustainability-led startup framework depends on the willingness of entrepreneurs to embark on projects early in their lifecycle. But acceleration and success will only be possible with the support of investors and robust ecosystems. As a disruptive technology company, we recognise how smart partnerships between government and business can really drive progress.’

In addition to Vinfast and Capital.com CEOs, the Forum was addressed by representatives of the Scottish Government; NYU Abu Dhabi; Ducab Group; Uber; Al Dahra Group; IBM Consulting; ADNOC; General Electric;
Princeville Capital; Orbillion Bio, Inc.; Wamda Group; and Change Foods.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Dr. Mariem Fadel Bint Dah, the First Lady of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, visited Zayed Higher organisation (ZHO) to learn about its experience, projects, and programmes in caring for and rehabilitating People of Determination, especially those with autism.

Received by Abdullah Al Humaidan, ZHO Secretary-General, Dr. Mariem was briefed on the educational, rehabilitative, psychological, and social health services provided by the Organisation.

During the visit, which included the Abu Dhabi Autism Centre and the Production Centre for People of Determination affiliated with ZHO, Dr. Mariem listened to an explanation from Aisha Al Mansoori, Director of the Abu Dhabi Autism Centre, about the services and programmes of the Foundation applied to individuals with autism in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

At the Production Centre for People of Determination in the Bahia area, Dr. Dah visited several vocational rehabilitation workshops, including the sewing workshop for girls and boys. This workshop is considered o
ne of the leading projects providing employment opportunities for People of Determination, specifically those with intellectual challenges.

The First Lady of Mauritania commended the programmes and services implemented by the Zayed Higher organisation, describing them as integrated and comprehensive. She highlighted the UAE’s significant commitment to offering comprehensive services to the People of Determination.

Source: Emirates News Agency

The United Arab Emirates hosted the second session of the UAE-Colombia Joint Committee in Expo City Dubai, on the sidelines of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28).

The Committee was co-chaired by Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Álvaro Leyva Durán, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia.

Senior diplomats and government officials from both sides participated in the Joint Committee meeting, which discussed several sectors and areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment, energy, agriculture, food security, health, culture, science, education, and transportation.

Al Hashimy reaffirmed the importance of the Joint Committee in enhancing cooperation between the two countries, with the UAE particularly focused on trade, and emphasised the significance of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Colombia, with terms recently concluded on the first such bilateral trade deal between the UAE and South America.

The two countries ar
e anticipating a new era of collaboration that will achieve growth for both nations.

In her opening statement, Al Hashimy commended the substantial growth in non-oil trade between the UAE and Colombia which exceeded US$385 million in 2022, and investment and trade relations in a number of key sectors, including energy, climate change, agriculture and food security. The UAE is now looking forward to developing and exploring further opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.

For his part, Durán emphasised Colombia’s keenness to further reinforce bilateral ties and promote cooperation with the UAE across various fields.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Al Hashimy and Durán, signed the minutes of the second session of the Joint Committee. Both sides expressed their appreciation for the efforts undertaken in organising the Committee meeting, and highlighted the importance of continuous engagement and constructive dialogue between the two sides.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) welcomed a delegation from the UAE Ministry of Interior, along with a group of 36 student police from the United States and Canada.

The visit aimed to strengthen collaboration, partnerships, and knowledge exchange in shared interest areas, contributing to the development of a world-class judicial system that enhances the emirate’s international competitive position.

This complies with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court and the Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, to exchange knowledge and share experiences with regional and global stakeholders to apply best practices globally.

During the field visit, the visiting delegation was briefed on the department’s initiatives to establish and assign specialised courts for foreign nationals, the laws currently in effect, the divisions of the courts and their affiliated sections, and the innovative experience of rem
ote litigation-whether at the registration of applications and lawsuits or during preparation and trial.

Along with videoconferencing trials for all cases that enable parties to attend sessions remotely, self-registration services through the department’s electronic portal and smart case file, and guidelines pertaining to payment orders in commercial matters, judicial receivership, check enforcement, and the case management office’s work.

During the visit, the delegation gained insight into the important role the Foreign Experts Court plays in ADJD. This court offers a cutting-edge legal system that caters to the needs of investors and residents from various nationalities, thereby bolstering the Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s economy.

The delegation also gained knowledge of the department’s groundbreaking role in raising awareness among different societal segments, which embodies the department’s mission to engage society in creating a culture of law for all members of society.

This mission supports the departmen
t’s specific goals by enhancing respect for the law and consolidating knowledge, ensuring that people are protected from crimes and their potentially harmful consequences.

The delegation was also given an update on the department’s initiatives to produce educational materials with an emphasis on introducing new and amended laws as well as smart services.

Source: Emirates News Agency

The UAE and Vietnam have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding workforce, with Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, signing on behalf of the UAE and Dao Ngoc Dung, Minister of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs of Vietnam, representing his country.

The MoU aims to strengthen collaboration on labour-related issues to facilitate the participation of trained Vietnamese workers in the UAE job market. It also involves exchanging studies and supportive information related to labour, as well as ensuring compliance with labour laws and legislations.

The two countries emphasised the important role the MoU plays in developing their bilateral relations, as well as highlighting during the meeting an overview of labour legislation and systems in the UAE and their role in safeguarding rights and providing social protection for workers.

The signing ceremony and meeting were attended by Khalil Ibrahim Al Khoury, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emi
ratisation (MoHRE) for Human Resources Affairs, and Shayma Al Awadhi, MoHRE’s Assistant Undersecretary for Communication and International Relations, along with Pham Anh Tuan, Director General of Vietnam’s International Cooperation Department, and Tong Hai Nam, Vietnam’s Director General of the Department of Overseas Labour.

Source: Emirates News Agency