The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), in collaboration with Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), hosted the 14th National Dialogue on Climate Ambition at DIFC’s headquarters in Dubai. The event is part of a series of sector-focused gatherings aimed at shaping the country’s sustainability agenda and advancing its goal of climate neutrality.
The assembly, organized in partnership with IMPACTGULF, highlighted the role of innovation in accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy. It also emphasized the integration of digital transformation and sustainability through green initiatives.
During the event, seven more organizations from both the public and private sectors signed MOCCAE’s Climate Responsible Companies Pledge, increasing the total number of signatories to 138. The new signatories—Dubai Road and Transport Authority, Dubai Holding, Emirates Development Bank, Al-Futtaim Group, Stratecis, Antelope Toplink LLC, and IPT-energy—committed to reducing their carbon footprint. These companies pledged to measure and transparently report their greenhouse gas emissions, develop science-based reduction plans, and share their progress with the UAE government to support the national net-zero target by 2050.
H.E. Dr. Alanoud Alhaj, Acting Assistant Undersecretary of Green Development and Climate Change at MOCCAE, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to engaging the private sector in the UAE’s sustainability journey. “The National Dialogue on Climate Ambition is a testament to our continued collaboration with key corporate players as we work together towards achieving net-zero by 2050,” she said.
Dr. Alhaj added, “The private sector is crucial in fostering innovation and driving the transition to a low-carbon economy. By sharing best practices and collaborating across industries, we can enhance sustainable economic growth in the UAE.”
She also expressed her satisfaction with the new pledge signatories, emphasizing that their commitment demonstrates a growing awareness of the opportunities that sustainability offers businesses.
Eng. Aisha Al Abdooli, Director of the Green Development Department at MOCCAE, delivered the keynote address, underscoring the need for digital innovation to enable impactful sustainability initiatives. She called for both domestic and international collaboration to drive digital advancements and exchange knowledge to address climate challenges.
The dialogue’s welcome address was delivered by Ms. Alya Al Zarouni, Chief Operating Officer at DIFC Authority, followed by Mr. Christoph Klarmann, Deputy Ambassador at the German Embassy in the UAE.
The event also featured presentations by Yassin Nasri of IMPACTGULF and Joëlle Jammal, Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact UAE. It concluded with a working session titled “The Pros & Cons of AI for the Advancement of Sustainability,” moderated by Ahmed Ameen Ashour, Chief Sustainability Commercial Officer for Microsoft Middle East and Africa, and Shayma Kurz, CEO of Digital Advice Consulting.
