EU-UAE Business Breakfast strengthens global drive for energy efficiency
Abu Dhabi – The leading policymakers, business leaders, and energy experts gathered today in Abu Dhabi for the EU-UAE Energy Efficiency Business Breakfast, under the theme "Powering the Green Transition." Organized under the EU-GCC Cooperation on Green Transition Project in collaboration with the European Union Delegation to the UAE and the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure of the UAE, the event focused on advancing joint energy efficiency initiatives to achieve climate, energy security, and economic diversification goals.
The event took place against the backdrop of pivotal global commitments made at COP28, where leaders pledged to triple global renewable energy capacity to 11,000 gigawatts and double the global average rate of energy efficiency improvements to more than 4% annually by 2030. The discussions underscored energy efficiency as one of the most cost-effective pathways to reducing emissions, enhancing resilience, and driving sustainable economic growth.
Opening the event, H.E. Lucie Berger, Ambassador of the European Union to the United Arab Emirates, highlighted the EU's leadership and ambition in energy efficiency:
"The European Union has demonstrated that energy efficiency is not just a tool for sustainability, but a catalyst for economic competitiveness and energy security. With a binding target of at least 32.5% improvement in energy efficiency by 2030, and policies already reducing our primary energy consumption significantly, the EU is showing that ambitious action delivers real-world results. Through our collaboration with the UAE, we are bringing together global ambition and practical innovation to accelerate the green transition for the benefit of future generations."
H.E. Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, emphasized the UAE's proactive approach:
"Energy efficiency stands at the core of the UAE's energy strategy and net-zero commitment. Through the launch of the Global Energy Efficiency Alliance and strategic partnerships, we are driving large-scale adoption of smart technologies and sustainable infrastructure that will strengthen our energy future and create new growth opportunities."
Participants engaged in dynamic discussions across two expert panels. The first session explored the European Union's frameworks for energy efficiency, such as the EU Energy Efficiency Directive and introduced the UAE's leadership through the Global Energy Efficiency Alliance. In the second session, EU and UAE business leaders spotlighted emerging opportunities in smart energy management, retrofitting technologies, and innovative partnerships. With the UAE investing approximately USD 5 billion annually in low-carbon energy projects and the EU's global leadership in setting energy efficiency standards, the event reinforced how transregional collaboration can unlock concrete business opportunities, support technology transfer, and accelerate the deployment of clean energy solutions.
The gathering attracted UAE government representatives, EU Member States trade officials, investors, major energy companies, and research institutions, laying the groundwork for new synergies between European and Emirati entities committed to energy efficiency and sustainability.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Business
an hour ago
- Arabian Business
Dubai's Global Village opens vendor applications for Season 30 as visitor numbers hit 10.5m
Global Village Dubai has officially opened applications for vendors to participate in its milestone Season 30, inviting proposals for the 'Restaurant and Coffee Shops' and 'Open Market' categories. Entrepreneurs, culinary innovators, and retail traders are encouraged to submit their concepts for key areas across the attraction, including popular zones such as Road of Asia and the iconic Indian Chaat Bazaar. There is also an opportunity to propose new open market ideas, making Season 30 a launchpad for fresh, high-impact business concepts. Global Village in Dubai The call for proposals follows the success of Season 29, which welcomed a record 10.5m visitors and featured: More than 3,500 retail outlets More than 250 dining experiences More than 75 new partners 80 new concepts launched across categories This performance underscores the high visibility and business potential that Global Village offers to participants each year. Global Village continues to serve as a powerful platform for entrepreneurial growth, combining footfall, diversity, and world-class infrastructure. Its focus on cultural celebration, unique shopping experiences, and international cuisine attracts a broad visitor base from across the UAE and beyond. The venue's reputation for business support, operational stability, and innovation-friendly environment makes it an attractive destination for startups and established brands alike. How to apply
Arabian Business
2 hours ago
- Arabian Business
UAE holiday dates; Dubai Metro Blue Line guide; Al Maktoum International Airport real estate boost – 10 things you missed this week
Workers across the UAE are already looking forward to their next holidays and planning vacations around expected dates. Meanwhile, a major update has been announced for the Dubai Metro Blue Line, Al Maktoum International Airport gives a boost to the real estate sector and Abu Dhabi and Ajman revealed new property rules. Catch up on 10 of the biggest stories this week, as selected by Arabian Business editors. UAE holidays 2025: When is the next long weekend? Expected dates revealed The UAE will observe at least 12 public holidays in 2025, with residents having just concluded the Eid Al Adha break. A future long weekend of the year is expected to fall on Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (PBUH). The break is expected to fall on Friday, September 5, creating a three-day long weekend for residents. The date corresponds to Rabi' Al Awwal 12 in the Islamic calendar, though it may change depending on whether Islamic months contain 29 or 30 days. Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed lays foundation stone for 30km Metro Blue Line Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, attended the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Dubai Metro Blue Line, marking a milestone in the expansion of the city's public transportation network. The new line will span 30 kilometres and comprise 14 stations, transforming mobility across nine districts projected to house over one million residents according to the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, the Dubai Media Office said in a statement. 'During the laying of the foundation stone for the first station on the Dubai Metro's Blue Line, which has a total benefit valued at AED56bn, the station represents an architectural icon that will be added to Dubai's cultural icons. It will be the first station on the Blue Line, which will extend 30km, bringing the total length of Dubai's railways to 131km and 78 stations. Since its launch until the end of last year, the Dubai Metro has transported more than 2.5bn people, an average of 900,000 passengers per day. The new route will be a major addition to the emirate's transport infrastructure. We continue to develop the city… we continue to build the best city to live in the world,' Sheikh Mohammed said in an X post. How $35bn Al Maktoum International Airport expansion is driving major Dubai South real estate investment boom as property prices tipped to grow 20% The AED128bn ($35bn) expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South is fuelling a real estate boom that has major implications for the wider UAE economy, according to Betterhomes analysis. Property transactions in the area exceeded AED15bn ($4.1bn) in the first five months of 2025 and prices could increase by up to 20 per cent in the near term said analysts. Spanning 70 sq km, the new Al Maktoum Airport will feature five runways and 400 aircraft gates and is expected to accommodate more than 260m passengers annually upon completion. Emaar Properties launches digital resale platform VYOM Emaar Properties has launched VYOM, a digital resale platform set to redefine the way Emaar homes are bought and sold, helping users overcome long-standing inefficiencies such as pricing discrepancies, market opacity, and communication gaps. Purpose-built for discerning homeowners and investors, VYOM offers a seamless, end-to-end experience that is transparent and secure. It gives users complete control over the resale process, allowing them to create listings, upload property images, and manage inquiries without intermediaries. VYOM is a transformative step in Emaar's ongoing digital evolution, offering a smarter, frictionless alternative to traditional resale methods. It is also a part of the company's customer-first initiatives. Abu Dhabi announces major new real estate laws Abu Dhabi has announced major updates to real estate legislation, as part of the emirate's long-term strategy to enhance its position as a leading global hub for property investment. The changes by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) aim to create a more transparent, flexible, and sustainable legislative environment, supporting developers while safeguarding investor rights. The updated framework will empower the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) to more effectively regulate the sector, improve governance standards, and maintain a balanced relationship between stakeholders. The new laws are designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of jointly owned properties, regulate all real estate-related professions, and bring clarity to contracts and operational procedures — aligning Abu Dhabi's regulatory model with global best practices. Dubai traffic to ease: RTA begins road improvements at 40 key locations for summer 2025 Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has begun traffic improvements at 40 locations across the emirate, with work scheduled between June and September 2025. The programme covers 22 streets, 9 school zones, more than 5 development areas, and internal roads in Tolerance District, Al Khawaneej 2, and Nad Al Sheba. RTA has timed the work during summer holidays to reduce disruption to traffic flow whilst maintaining safety standards at all sites. Dubai real estate: New tower sells out in three hours at new South Square development Dubai South Properties launched South Square, a residential development positioned along Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road near Al Maktoum International Airport, on June 9, 2025. The S4 Tower within the project sold out completely within three hours of launch. The development responds to demand from investors and end-users attracted to the area. South Square comprises over 550 apartments across one-, two-, and three-bedroom configurations. The community features landscaped outdoor spaces, seed farms, walking trails, water features, a yoga deck, fitness and leisure zones, retail outlets, dining facilities, and co-working spaces. Unit prices begin at AED 1.1 million, with completion scheduled for Q4 2028. EU removes UAE from 'high-risk' money-laundering list The EU has removed the UAE from its high-risk money-laundering list. The European Commission has updated its list of high-risk jurisdictions presenting strategic deficiencies in their national anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regimes. The UAE was among eight countries removed from the list, while a further 10, including Lebanon were added to the high-risk list. Ajman issues new real estate laws Ajman has announced new rules to govern real estate service fees and fines. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of Ajman Executive Council, has issued Emiri Decree No. 9 of 2025 concerning service fees, violations, and fines applied by the Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation. The Emiri Decree is part of the emirate's broader efforts to modernise the legislative environment governing the real estate sector and enhance its efficiency in line with the emirate's economic and regulatory development. Under the decree, the Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation shall collect the determined service fees, detect and document violations, and collect the specified fines—without prejudice to any harsher penalty stipulated in any other legislation. 10 Hollywood quotes every Dubai real estate investor should live by in 2025 In Dubai's ultra-competitive real estate industry, records are broken and billions of dollars of deals are made every week. Success in the market takes more than hard work—it takes vision, negotiation skill, relentless follow-up, and the confidence to act before the market does. And sometimes, a line from the silver screen says it best. These ten Hollywood quotes aren't just memorable—they're mindset tools. Pulled from cult classics and Oscar winners, each one captures a trait Dubai's top-performing property professionals live by: strategic boldness, calculated risk, unshakable belief, and a refusal to settle for average. Whether you're closing beachfront villas, selling out off-plan towers, or expanding your investment portfolio, let these lines guide your real estate strategy in 2025—and beyond.
The National
2 hours ago
- The National
Iran says Israel's actions a 'declaration of war' and accuses US of supporting strikes
Iran 's envoy to the UN accused the US on Friday of providing full political and intelligence support to Israeli strikes on Iranian territory, calling the attacks a 'declaration of war' that killed dozens, including civilians. Iranian ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani told the UN Security Council that 78 people had been killed in the strikes, with more than 320 others injured. 'The majority of them are civilians, including women and children,' he said. 'We will not forget that our people lost their lives as a result of the Israeli attacks with American weapons. These actions amount to a declaration of war.' He accused Israel of seeking to derail nuclear deal negotiations with the US and escalate tension in the region. 'This aggression was intentional, co-ordinated and fully backed by a permanent member of this council,' he said. 'The United States' complicity in this terrorist attack is beyond doubt." Israel's ambassador to the UN Danny Danon echoed this, saying the strikes on Iran are an act of "national preservation' which it undertook alone. 'Imagine when the head of the snake would do with a nuclear warhead?' he said. 'We acted because history has taught us that silence is complicity and hesitation is fatal.' He told the council that Israeli intelligence had confirmed that Iran could have produced enough fissile material for several nuclear bombs within days. 'We struck the core of the nuclear programme, the underground enrichment facilities at Natanz. This facility was operating at a military grade capacity. Intelligence confirmed that within days, Iran could have produced enough material for multiple bombs,' he said. On Thursday, Iran was censured by the UN's nuclear watchdog for not complying with obligations meant to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon. US senior State Department official McCoy Pitt told the council that Washington was informed in advance of Israel's strikes on Iranian targets but was not militarily involved. Mr Pitt said Israel had advised the US that 'this action' was necessary for its self-defence. 'Every sovereign nation has the right to defend itself, and Israel is no exception,' he said. 'President [Donald] Trump has repeatedly said, this dangerous regime cannot be allowed to have nuclear weapons.' He added that Washington continues to pursue a diplomatic solution aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons or 'threatening' regional stability. 'Iran's leadership would be wise to negotiate at this time,' he asserted. The head of the UN nuclear watchdog told the Security Council that the aboveground section of Iran's pilot fuel enrichment plant at Natanz where uranium was being enriched up to 60 per cent has been destroyed in recent Israeli strikes. 'This facility houses both the main fuel enrichment plant and the pilot enrichment plant,' said International Atomic Energy Agency director general Rafael Grossi. Mr Grossi said radiation levels at the Natanz site remained unchanged, with no external radiological impact on the population or the environment. However, he warned of contamination risks within the facility. 'There is radiological and chemical contamination inside the Natanz facilities due to the impacts,' he said. Mr Grossi also said that Iranian authorities informed them of attacks on two other nuclear facilities, Fordow and Isfahan, 'where a fuel plate fabrication plant, a fuel manufacturing plant, a uranium conversion facility … are located'. Russia strongly condemned Israel's attacks on Iran, with its ambassador saying the "military adventure pushes the region to the brink of a large-scale war, and the responsibility for all of the consequences of these actions lies fully with the Israeli leadership and those who encourage them". 'One is left with the impression that the leadership of Israel is convinced that they have a completely free hand in the region, and they probably think that Israel can flout any legal norms and replace all international bodies, including the Security Council and IAEA,' Vasily Nebenzya said. China's ambassador Fu Cong urged Israel to immediately cease all military 'adventurism' and called on countries with 'significant' influence over Israel to play a 'constructive' role.
