E-Paper
Sign In
Nations must adopt pro-climate models to succeed economically, UAE minister says
The UAE was the first Middle Eastern country to join Global Ocean Alliance, a coalition of scientists, NGOs, private sector leaders involved in advancing ocean conservation
- PUBLISHED: Tue 3 Feb 2026, 2:47 PM
- By:
- Hind Aldah
- Share:
There are no trade-offs when it comes to sustainable growth, the UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Amna Al Dahak, said on Tuesday. Highlighting the UAE’s adoption of pro-climate policies across different industries, Al Dahak said that governments must involve pro-climate policies during initial stages to benefit economically.
On the contrary, the minister added, focusing on environmentally friendly policies during initial stages of any governmental project will aid in its overall economic prosperity. “What we have started from the beginning is to create this well-integrated model that takes the environment as an essential element and part of the design from the very beginning and not an afterthought,” she said.
Recommended For You
“I think that's the pitfall that usually happens, is that it becomes as an afterthought instead of making sure that it's part of the design process from the very beginning,” she added.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels
Al Dahak was speaking at a panel session on the blue economy during the first day of the World Governments Summit, an annual global event focused on how governments can better utilise technology, innovation, and futurism.
The blue economy is a term used to describe the sustainable use of ocean resources and the marine environment and how they can be economically beneficial. Green economy, on the other hand, refers to a reduction in environmental risks, like low carbon and efficient resource use.
The UAE was the first Middle Eastern country to join the UK-led Global Ocean Alliance, a coalition of scientists, NGOs, and private sector leaders involved in advancing ocean conservation.
Key challenges faced by UAE’s marines
The minister said that increasing temperatures and salinity, the dissolved content of a body of water, of the UAE’s water remain key challenges.
“To overcome the environmental challenges that come with that, we need to look again at science, research, and innovation,” she said, illustrating how the UAE has already tackled these issues by launching the Mohamed bin Zayed Water initiative in 2024, which looks into the global water scarcity problems
Hind Aldah covers business, tech, crypto and all that jazz for a younger audience. In her spare time, you will find her playing classical guitar, painting amateur oil paintings, or crocheting the same old scarf that leads nowhere.
