UAE President encourages innovation to promote sustainability and environmental conservation
On June 5, President HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed reviewed a number of initiatives and proposals that contribute to strengthening the UAE’s efforts to promote sustainability and preserve natural resources by encouraging innovation in this area.
This came on World Environment Day as His Highness received a group of entrepreneurs, youth and officials engaged in the meticulous task of implementing innovative initiatives and ideas in the environmental conservation and sustainability fields.
The UAE leader listened to an explanation by the leaders of these initiatives regarding their importance, the possibilities of developing and implementing them on a larger scale and the outcomes they have noted so far, as per official media reports.
UAE extends ‘Year of Sustainability’ initiative
Sheikh Mohamed underscored that preserving the environment and its resources is a collective responsibility, to be shared among all. He highlighted the UAE’s focus on enhancing cooperation with international partners to achieve objectives in this field.
The UAE is continuing the ‘Year of Sustainability’ initiative through 2024 to foster environmental consciousness and sustainable practices. The campaign is an open invitation to everyone living in the country to become a part of the collective effort to adopt sustainable practices.
Taking to X in February 2024, His Highness announced the decision to extend the Year of Sustainability, reflecting “our ongoing collective commitment to protect and preserve the environment for the benefit of future generations.”
UAE launches ‘Blue Residency Visa’ in big move
In May, the UAE made headlines across the globe for launching a ‘Blue Residency Visa’ – to be granted to people making significant contributions to environmental protection and sustainability, offering the individuals a 10-year residency in the country.
The initiative supports the UAE’s extended Year of Sustainability. It is aimed at attracting global environmental leaders to contribute to the Gulf state’s sustainable economic and social development. The visa reflects the UAE’s unflinching commitment to multilateralism.
Last November, Expo City Dubai hosted the biggest annual climate conference, the COP28 Summit, convening participants from over 100 countries to take decisions on some of the most pressing environmental challenges facing the planet today.
UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategy & Green Agenda 2030
COP28 Dubai facilitated the making of several major decisions, such as the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund and the landmark UAE Consensus that calls for a quick and just transition away from fossil fuels for the sake of Earth.
The UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy builds upon the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative – designed to act as a stimulus for economic and societal advancement by leading the transition to net zero emissions. It has more than 25 programmes across 6 different sectors.
Furthermore, the UAE’s Green Agenda 2030 is a long-term plan to achieve the objectives of sustainable development in the UAE and make its economy more environmentally friendly. It has strategic objectives and includes a number of programmes and initiatives.
