Abu Dhabi, 18 October 2023: The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) announced their first partnership agreement by signing a memorandum of understanding to enhance green growth efforts in Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates. Based on the expertise that both parties enjoy in the fields of climate action and green development, this new partnership will enhance efforts aimed at confronting climate change and environment-related challenges in Abu Dhabi and beyond.

The MoU aims to establish a framework for cooperation between EAD and the GGGI, on the basis of which projects and programmes that support relevant national plans and strategies in the United Arab Emirates and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi can be implemented. In addition, the deal will work to advance national ambitions that help strengthen the UAE’s global agreements and commitments. In addition, the circular economy, a concept that includes the sustainable use of resources and their management based on reuse and renewal of production, is one of the areas that will be addressed through this cooperation.
The agreement was signed on behalf of Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, by Ahmed Baharoon, Executive Director, Environmental Information, Science and Outreach Management at EAD, and Ahmed Al Amra, representative of the GGGI in UAE.
The signing of the agreement coincides with the start of the implementation of Abu Dhabi’s climate change strategy, which was recently launched, and commits the emirates to working with its main partners to achieve the target of effective climate action at various levels, in line with the UAE’s strategic initiative that aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, said: “The vision of EAD is to achieve a better and more sustainable future in Abu Dhabi, and to move forward towards this vision, we are constantly striving to build effective partnerships to enhance the local, regional and global position of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in this field. We aim to protect the environment and foster sustainable development by building partnerships with local and international institutions and bodies to enhance cooperation, exchange experiences and best practices. The signing of this memorandum with the Global Green Growth Institute is as an important step to enhance our joint efforts to confront the challenges facing us in the field of climate change.”

Her Excellency added: “The signing of the agreement coincides with the UAE's preparations to host the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), which constitutes a strong motivation locally for all sectors to adopt climate action as a starting point for development, where the principles of cleaner production and work towards the economy are adopted.”

“In this context, the Authority is working to strengthen its efforts in the field of climate action with its strategic partners at the national and global levels to achieve a balance between economic development and leadership in the field of environmental protection.”

“It is crucial at this point in time to unify all the efforts to address the tremendous challenges that are putting increasing pressure on the world, especially climate crisis,” said the Country Representative of GGGI in the UAE, Ahmed Al Amra. “The UAE, as part of this world, has its share of challenges and promising opportunities, so building partnerships and cementing collaboration ties is the best approach to face these challenges and harness promises for a greener and more resilient future,” Mr. Amra added.

While the UAE prepares to host COP28, Abu Dhabi, represented by its government, is ready to present to the world key success stories and lessons learned in the fields of climate action and environmental protection. Building on both agencies’ extensive experiences and knowledge sharing will be a key approach for the partnership. The Agency and GGGI will also pay special attention to the importance of engaging stakeholders from different sectors, to ensure that the process is being developed through a scientific and participatory approach, fostering a greener, and more resilient UAE and Abu Dhabi.    
As a founding member of GGGI, the UAE government started its journey of collaboration with the organisation in 2011. Since then, GGGI has been supporting the UAE’s transition toward a greener economy. Throughout this journey, GGGI successfully supported the development of key, national green growth-related strategies and plans and supported the UAE’s international collaborations with other neighbouring countries in the field of green development and climate change.