Latest news with #COP28
Sharjah 24
2 days ago
- Business
- Sharjah 24
First meeting of Türkiye-UAE high level strategic council
The Meeting of the High-Level Strategic Council reflected the determination of both countries to further advance the bilateral ties and close cooperation across a broad range of shared objectives between the Republic of Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates. The discussions covered numerous areas of cooperation that gained significant momentum in recent years, such as economy, trade, defence, innovation, cybersecurity, industry, technology, education, culture, energy, including renewable energy, environment, transportation, infrastructure, agriculture and tourism. Leveraging the Comprehensive and Economic Partnership Agreement, and drawing on bilateral economic, trade and investment mechanisms such as the Joint Economic Commission and Joint Economic and Trade Committee, the two Leaders discussed avenues to enhance mutual investments and trade, including exploring the potential for complementary and resilient trade routes, as well as areas of cooperation to support sustainable economic growth and facilitate regional and international trade. The two Leaders also exchanged views on enhancing cooperation between the public and private sectors in both countries with a view to fostering bilateral partnerships as well as collaboration opportunities in third countries. The two Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in the energy sector, recognising the critical role of sustainable, secure and diversified energy resources in driving economic growth and climate resilience. They emphasised their shared ambition to explore practical opportunities to advance energy transition in line with national priorities. In this context, they welcomed the global goal, as reflected in Paragraph 28 of the Global Stocktake outcome adopted at COP28, to double the global rate of energy efficiency improvement and triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 and expressed their intention to contribute to its achievement through national and bilateral actions. They expressed their common will to enhance cooperation between the two countries based on goodwill and friendship, particularly in renewable energy and hydrocarbons, including joint projects to be realised on the basis of mutual benefit. The two leaders reaffirmed the significance of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Senegal, to be held in the UAE in December 2026, focused on accelerating the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6, ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. They also commended the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative as a significant contribution to advancing technological innovation tackling water scarcity. The two Leaders also emphasised the significance of maintaining the existing momentum in bilateral relations and focused on emerging and advanced technologies as a promising field of cooperation. While highlighting the key role of their young, dynamic and well-educated populations in fostering innovation, competitiveness and sustainable economic growth, they reiterated their will to collaborate in cutting-edge digital technologies. His Excellency President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and His Highness President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also underscored the importance of cooperation in cultural and social fields and agreed to promote exchanges that will contribute to the strong bonds of brotherhood between the Turkish and Emirati peoples. The two sides reaffirmed their resolve to enhance defence and security cooperation by capacity-building, exchanging expertise and sharing know-how. This landmark visit provided an opportunity to address bilateral and regional developments. Reflecting their countries' roles in advancing regional security, stability and prosperity, the two sides emphasised their shared commitment to work together to promote dialogue and the principles of international law to achieve a peaceful, stable, secure and prosperous environment in the region. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, expressed his profound appreciation to His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to His Highness and the delegation of the United Arab Emirates during their stay in Türkiye. The two leaders witnessed the signing of seven bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding. The two leaders agreed to hold the next meeting of the High-Level Strategic Council in Abu Dhabi in 2026, on a date to be determined through diplomatic channels. This Joint Communique was adopted on 16 July 2025.
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Joint Communiqué on occasion of visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Republic of Türkiye, First Meeting of Türkiye-UAE High Level Strategic Council
ABU DHABI (WAM) Based on the brotherly relations between the Republic of Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan paid a state visit to the Republic of Türkiye on the occasion of the First Meeting of the High-Level Strategic Council in Ankara, on July 16, 2025. The Meeting of the High-Level Strategic Council reflected the determination of both countries to further advance the bilateral ties and close cooperation across a broad range of shared objectives between the Republic of Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates. The discussions covered numerous areas of cooperation that gained significant momentum in recent years, such as economy, trade, defence, innovation, cybersecurity, industry, technology, education, culture, energy, including renewable energy, environment, transportation, infrastructure, agriculture and tourism. Leveraging the Comprehensive and Economic Partnership Agreement, and drawing on bilateral economic, trade and investment mechanisms such as the Joint Economic Commission and Joint Economic and Trade Committee, the two Leaders discussed avenues to enhance mutual investments and trade, including exploring the potential for complementary and resilient trade routes, as well as areas of cooperation to support sustainable economic growth and facilitate regional and international trade. The two Leaders also exchanged views on enhancing cooperation between the public and private sectors in both countries with a view to fostering bilateral partnerships as well as collaboration opportunities in third countries. The two Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in the energy sector, recognising the critical role of sustainable, secure and diversified energy resources in driving economic growth and climate resilience. They emphasised their shared ambition to explore practical opportunities to advance energy transition in line with national priorities. In this context, they welcomed the global goal, as reflected in Paragraph 28 of the Global Stocktake outcome adopted at COP28, to double the global rate of energy efficiency improvement and triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 and expressed their intention to contribute to its achievement through national and bilateral actions. They expressed their common will to enhance cooperation between the two countries based on goodwill and friendship, particularly in renewable energy and hydrocarbons, including joint projects to be realised on the basis of mutual benefit. The two leaders reaffirmed the significance of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Senegal, to be held in the UAE in December 2026, focused on accelerating the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6, ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. They also commended the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative as a significant contribution to advancing technological innovation tackling water scarcity. The two Leaders also emphasised the significance of maintaining the existing momentum in bilateral relations and focused on emerging and advanced technologies as a promising field of cooperation. While highlighting the key role of their young, dynamic and well-educated populations in fostering innovation, competitiveness and sustainable economic growth, they reiterated their will to collaborate in cutting-edge digital technologies. His Excellency President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and His Highness President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also underscored the importance of cooperation in cultural and social fields and agreed to promote exchanges that will contribute to the strong bonds of brotherhood between the Turkish and Emirati peoples. The two sides reaffirmed their resolve to enhance defence and security cooperation by capacity-building, exchanging expertise and sharing know-how. This landmark visit provided an opportunity to address bilateral and regional developments. Reflecting their countries' roles in advancing regional security, stability and prosperity, the two sides emphasised their shared commitment to work together to promote dialogue and the principles of international law to achieve a peaceful, stable, secure and prosperous environment in the region. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed his profound appreciation to His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to His Highness and the delegation of the United Arab Emirates during their stay in Türkiye. The two leaders witnessed the signing of seven bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding. The two leaders agreed to hold the next meeting of the High-Level Strategic Council in Abu Dhabi in 2026, on a date to be determined through diplomatic channels. This Joint Communique was adopted on July 16, 2025.
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First Post
3 days ago
- First Post
Brazil guarantees affordable rooms for COP30 participants in Amazon
At least 40,000 people are expected to attend the November 10-21 event in Belem, known as the gateway to the Amazon rainforest, according to government estimates from the start of the year read more People watch the sunset over the Rio Negro in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil on July 6, 2025. AFP/Representational image Brazil insisted Wednesday it will have enough rooms for the tens of thousands of people expected to attend the COP30 UN climate conference in the Amazonian city of Belem in November. After complaints about sky-high room prices in the far-flung destination, organizers said they would guarantee affordable accommodation for delegates and participants from poor least 40,000 people are expected to attend the November 10-21 event in Belem, known as the gateway to the Amazon rainforest, according to government estimates from the start of the year. Around 30,000 potential rooms have been 'identified' for use during the conference, the event's secretary Valter Correia said, including 3,900 on two cruise ships. There will also be rooms in hotels, private homes, and at universities and schools to be converted for the first-ever climate COP to be held in the Amazon. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD They will include 1,500 rooms priced at no more than $220 per night for delegates from 98 developing and island nations, Correia said. Another 1,000 rooms will be priced at no more than $600 per night, and the government was negotiating with the private sector to set 'reasonable prices' for other accommodation, said Correia. 'We will have sufficient accommodations for everyone, have no doubt about that. We just need to set appropriate prices,' Correia told journalists. At a preparatory meeting in June, several countries raised concerns over eye-watering lodging prices in Belem, a northern city of 1.3 million inhabitants with limited hotel capacity. More than 50,000 people attended the last COP, held in Azerbaijan in 2024, some 30,000 fewer than COP28 in Dubai. In recent months, some hotels have been offering rooms at $1,400 per night. jss/rsr/mlr/aks © Agence France-Presse
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Agritech investments and incubators: Nurturing the next generation of food innovators in Dubai
Dubai's agritech landscape is experiencing a transformative evolution, moving beyond traditional desert innovation narratives. Today, a dynamic ecosystem of startup success stories, robust incubators, and strategic investments is reshaping the food technology sector. The food security imperative Despite ranking as high as =21st globally in the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) according to the most recent 2022 data, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — and much of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) — continue to import over 85% of their food. This reflects the region's ongoing dependence on external supply chains as of early has prompted long-term measures to reduce import dependency, unifying GCC regional strategies to develop agricultural, livestock, and fishery projects that strengthen food security and sustainability. The UAE's approach has been strategic, with agriculture and fisheries now contributing 1.8% to gross domestic product (GDP), and the number of Gulf companies in these sectors growing by 20%. Government-backed incubation ecosystem At the forefront of Dubai's agritech incubation ecosystem stands in5, TECOM Group's entrepreneurship incubator, which has been instrumental in nurturing innovation. 'Start-ups are the inherent problem-solvers we need to unlock sustainable growth,' stated Majed Al Suwaidi, Senior Vice President at TECOM launch of in5 Science in 2023, in collaboration with Dubai Science Park, represents a significant milestone in the UAE's science-focused entrepreneurship landscape. This initiative aligns with the UAE's emphasis on sustainability, in line with the Road to Net Zero by 2050, COP28, We the UAE 2031, and National Food Security Strategy agendas, creating substantial opportunities for innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship across the science these efforts, Food Tech Valley has emerged as another crucial player supporting agritech startups and facilitating connections between innovators and the early movers actively leveraging this ecosystem is Sokovo Nature Farms—an agritech innovator integrating advanced technologies into sustainable food systems from the heart of Dubai. 'We at SOKOVO Nature Farms are deeply aligned with Dubai's vision of becoming a global hub for sustainable food production,' Sumedha Sharma, CEO of SOKOVO Nature Farms, tells Sharma credits the emirate's supportive ecosystem, particularly Food Tech Valley, explaining how it has played a crucial role in positioning the company as a trusted source of 'locally grown, high-quality produce.'Strategic investment and funding mechanismsThe Emirates Development Bank (EDB) has established itself as a key financial enabler in Dubai's agritech sector, according to official statements. The bank's specialised AgriTech Loans Programme supports advanced farming technologies and precision agriculture practices, reinforcing the government's commitment to innovation. At the Future 100 Forum, Shaker Zainal, Chief Business Officer at EDB, noted that in 2023, EDB's financing to the industrial sector rose by 80%—rising from AED 2.4 billion in 2022 to AED 4.3 billion—bringing the total loan book to AED 8.7 billion since the rollout of its strategic agenda in 2021. Further reinforcing this commitment, EDB's 20-week AGRIX accelerator programme, supports the UAE's National Food Security Strategy 2051, equipping farmers, agribusinesses, and technology providers with cutting-edge solutions, workshops, and hands-on training in sustainable farming practices. The Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF) has proven particularly effective in driving startup success, with MBRIF members securing more than AED 2.8 billion in financing and playing a role in the creation of over 800 jobs in the UAE, according to Majed Al Suwaidi. Digital agriculture and data-driven Innovation The role of digital agriculture in Dubai's food security strategy is foundational. As global food technology trends evolve, six rising foodtech megatrends have been identified by the France-based Digital Food Lab, including the resilient farm, sustainable proteins, the smart supply chain, and food Borkar, CEO and Co-Founder of FarmERP, highlights the transformative potential of digital agriculture: 'Digital agriculture is not just complementary—it is foundational to the UAE's food security strategy. The UAE's National Food Security Strategy 2051 sets a clear direction: produce more with fewer resources, ensure resilience to climate volatility, and enhance local production capabilities.'FarmERP's implementation in the UAE demonstrates tangible results. According to Borkar, a prominent agritech startup in the UAE managing berry production achieved 'a considerable improvement in yield consistency and a high reduction in water usage' through the FarmERP Agribusiness Cloud platform. Another case involving a leading fresh supply chain company resulted in 'real-time visibility into procurement, logistics, and payments while empowering farmers through a mobile app in the Arabic language.' Breakthrough technologies and desert Innovation Dubai's agritech ecosystem has witnessed remarkable technological breakthroughs, particularly in desert agriculture. Indian entrepreneur Chandra Dake introduced innovative sand technology, enabling agricultural cultivation in both desert and saline-alkali environments through his company, Dake 'breathable sand' technology, commonly referred to as 'magic sand', reduces water requirements by 80% while delivering optimal yields. Dake's company is also developing a forest of 11 million trees across Dubai's barren desert, representing the world's first desert-based afforestation project of this scale funded through private investment. 'We are not only reclaiming deserts but also transforming desert sand, which is otherwise deemed unfit … into a material of significant utility,' Dake was quoted in the media. The India-Dubai agritech corridor The collaboration between Indian entrepreneurs and Dubai's agritech ecosystem represents a significant dimension of the sector's growth. Indian innovators such as Dake and Borkar are bringing technological expertise and innovative solutions tailored to the UAE's unique agricultural success in the UAE market exemplifies the potential for India-Dubai collaboration in food security. 'At FarmERP, we have strategically evolved our technology to align with these specific local challenges and opportunities,' Borkar tells 'Our solutions incorporate artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoT), remote sensing, and satellite analytics to deliver real-time decision support. We've developed specific modules for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), vertical farming, hydroponics, and greenhouse operations—agricultural models gaining traction in Dubai and across the UAE.'As Dubai seeks to amplify its agritech capabilities through global partnerships, Indian agritech players emerge as natural collaborators. 'India's deep expertise in agriculture, engineering, and technology plays a valuable role in supporting SOKOVO's mission to advance the UAE's Food Security Strategy 2051 and Vision 2040. By collaborating with Indian agritech partners—particularly in areas such as automation, sensor technology, and nutrient management—we can enhance the efficiency and scalability of our vertical farming operations. These partnerships allow us to adopt cost-effective, proven technologies that strengthen our ability to produce clean, local, and reliable food year-round,' says Sharma. In turn, this supports the UAE's broader goals of reducing import dependency, diversifying the economy, and building a resilient, homegrown food ecosystem, she adds. Looking forward As Dubai positions itself as a global hub for agritech innovation, the convergence of government support, private investment, and technological excellence creates a compelling environment for the next generation of food innovators. The ecosystem's maturity, demonstrated through visible startup successes and measurable economic impact, suggests that Dubai's agritech sector is well-positioned to meet the challenges of feeding a projected global population of 10 billion by public-private partnerships and cross-border collaborations reflect a comprehensive approach to food security, embracing sustainability, technology, and innovation as core pillars of the UAE's economic diversification strategy. Disclaimer - This article is a part of a featured content series on Business in Dubai. 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Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Agritech investments and incubators: Nurturing the next generation of food innovators in Dubai
Live Events ET Spotlight (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Dubai's agritech landscape is experiencing a transformative evolution, moving beyond traditional desert innovation a dynamic ecosystem of startup success stories, robust incubators, and strategic investments is reshaping the food technology ranking as high as =21st globally in the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) according to the most recent 2022 data , the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — and much of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) — continue to import over 85% of their food. This reflects the region's ongoing dependence on external supply chains as of early has prompted long-term measures to reduce import dependency, unifying GCC regional strategies to develop agricultural, livestock, and fishery projects that strengthen food security and UAE's approach has been strategic, with agriculture and fisheries now contributing 1.8% to gross domestic product (GDP), and the number of Gulf companies in these sectors growing by 20% At the forefront of Dubai's agritech incubation ecosystem stands in5, TECOM Group's entrepreneurship incubator, which has been instrumental in nurturing innovation. ' Start-ups are the inherent problem-solvers we need to unlock sustainable growth,' stated Majed Al Suwaidi, Senior Vice President at TECOM launch of in5 Science in 2023, in collaboration with Dubai Science Park, represents a significant milestone in the UAE's science-focused entrepreneurship landscape. This initiative aligns with the UAE's emphasis on sustainability, in line with the Road to Net Zero by 2050, COP28, We the UAE 2031, and National Food Security Strategy agendas, creating substantial opportunities for innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship across the science these efforts, Food Tech Valley has emerged as another crucial player supporting agritech startups and facilitating connections between innovators and the early movers actively leveraging this ecosystem is Sokovo Nature Farms—an agritech innovator integrating advanced technologies into sustainable food systems from the heart of Dubai. 'We at SOKOVO Nature Farms are deeply aligned with Dubai's vision of becoming a global hub for sustainable food production,' Sumedha Sharma, CEO of SOKOVO Nature Farms, tells credits the emirate's supportive ecosystem, particularly Food Tech Valley, explaining how it has played a crucial role in positioning the company as a trusted source of 'locally grown, high-quality produce.'The Emirates Development Bank (EDB) has established itself as a key financial enabler in Dubai's agritech sector, according to official statements. The bank's specialised AgriTech Loans Programme supports advanced farming technologies and precision agriculture practices, reinforcing the government's commitment to the Future 100 Forum, Shaker Zainal, Chief Business Officer at EDB, noted that in 2023, EDB's financing to the industrial sector rose by 80%— rising from AED 2.4 billion in 2022 to AED 4.3 billion —bringing the total loan book to AED 8.7 billion since the rollout of its strategic agenda in reinforcing this commitment, EDB's 20-week AGRIX accelerator programme, supports the UAE's National Food Security Strategy 2051, equipping farmers, agribusinesses, and technology providers with cutting-edge solutions, workshops, and hands-on training in sustainable farming Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF) has proven particularly effective in driving startup success, with MBRIF members securing more than AED 2.8 billion in financing and playing a role in the creation of over 800 jobs in the UAE , according to Majed Al role of digital agriculture in Dubai's food security strategy is foundational. As global food technology trends evolve, six rising foodtech megatrends have been identified by the France-based Digital Food Lab, including the resilient farm, sustainable proteins, the smart supply chain, and food Borkar, CEO and Co-Founder of FarmERP, highlights the transformative potential of digital agriculture: 'Digital agriculture is not just complementary—it is foundational to the UAE's food security strategy. The UAE's National Food Security Strategy 2051 sets a clear direction: produce more with fewer resources, ensure resilience to climate volatility, and enhance local production capabilities.'FarmERP's implementation in the UAE demonstrates tangible results. According to Borkar, a prominent agritech startup in the UAE managing berry production achieved 'a considerable improvement in yield consistency and a high reduction in water usage' through the FarmERP Agribusiness Cloud platform. Another case involving a leading fresh supply chain company resulted in 'real-time visibility into procurement, logistics, and payments while empowering farmers through a mobile app in the Arabic language.'Dubai's agritech ecosystem has witnessed remarkable technological breakthroughs, particularly in desert agriculture. Indian entrepreneur Chandra Dake introduced innovative sand technology, enabling agricultural cultivation in both desert and saline-alkali environments through his company, Dake 'breathable sand' technology, commonly referred to as 'magic sand', reduces water requirements by 80% while delivering optimal yields. Dake's company is also developing a forest of 11 million trees across Dubai's barren desert, representing the world's first desert-based afforestation project of this scale funded through private investment.'We are not only reclaiming deserts but also transforming desert sand, which is otherwise deemed unfit … into a material of significant utility,' Dake was quoted in the media The collaboration between Indian entrepreneurs and Dubai's agritech ecosystem represents a significant dimension of the sector's growth. Indian innovators such as Dake and Borkar are bringing technological expertise and innovative solutions tailored to the UAE's unique agricultural success in the UAE market exemplifies the potential for India-Dubai collaboration in food security. 'At FarmERP, we have strategically evolved our technology to align with these specific local challenges and opportunities,' Borkar tells 'Our solutions incorporate artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoT), remote sensing, and satellite analytics to deliver real-time decision support. We've developed specific modules for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), vertical farming, hydroponics, and greenhouse operations—agricultural models gaining traction in Dubai and across the UAE.'As Dubai seeks to amplify its agritech capabilities through global partnerships, Indian agritech players emerge as natural collaborators.'India's deep expertise in agriculture, engineering, and technology plays a valuable role in supporting SOKOVO's mission to advance the UAE's Food Security Strategy 2051 and Vision 2040. By collaborating with Indian agritech partners—particularly in areas such as automation, sensor technology, and nutrient management—we can enhance the efficiency and scalability of our vertical farming operations. These partnerships allow us to adopt cost-effective, proven technologies that strengthen our ability to produce clean, local, and reliable food year-round,' says turn, this supports the UAE's broader goals of reducing import dependency, diversifying the economy, and building a resilient, homegrown food ecosystem, she Dubai positions itself as a global hub for agritech innovation, the convergence of government support, private investment, and technological excellence creates a compelling environment for the next generation of food innovators. The ecosystem's maturity, demonstrated through visible startup successes and measurable economic impact, suggests that Dubai's agritech sector is well-positioned to meet the challenges of feeding a projected global population of 10 billion by public-private partnerships and cross-border collaborations reflect a comprehensive approach to food security, embracing sustainability, technology, and innovation as core pillars of the UAE's economic diversification strategy.
