UAE Strengthens EU Partnerships in Renewable Energy and Water Sustainability
Abdulla Ahmed Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, completed a productive two-day visit to Brussels, from March 6-7, to meet with senior officials and stakeholders in the energy and water sectors.
The visit underscored the UAE's commitment to advancing its collaboration with the European Union (EU) in key areas such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and water resilience.
Balalaa's meetings came on the heels of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference (UNWC26) Organisational Session in New York and coincided with the EU's Ocean Days. During his visit, he was invited to participate in the EU's consultative process on reviewing the EU's water resilience strategy.
At the consultative session, Balalaa emphasized the UAE's priorities for the 2026 UNWC and urged the international community to contribute to scalable and inclusive solutions for global water challenges. He also highlighted the UAE's ongoing commitment to advancing climate action, energy transition, and water resilience in collaboration with the EU, aligning efforts made during the COP28 conference in Dubai with future global sustainability goals.
The discussions also involved strengthening ties with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to explore investment opportunities in clean energy, infrastructure, and water sustainability. Balalaa met with several EU officials, including Ditte Juul-Jørgensen, Director-General for Energy, and Kurt Vandenberghe, Director-General for Climate Action, to reinforce the UAE's role in driving global climate adaptation and sustainability initiatives.
The visit set the stage for increased cooperation ahead of pivotal international events such as the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in France and the 2026 UN Water Conference.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Dubai Eye
17 hours ago
- Dubai Eye
UAE to host landmark parliamentary session with EU President
A landmark parliamentary session is set to take place in Abu Dhabi on Monday, as Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC), hosts Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, for an official UAE–European session. This marks the first-ever visit by a sitting European Parliament President to the Gulf region, highlighting the growing strategic ties between the UAE and the European Union. The visit follows an official invitation from the FNC and comes at a key moment in UAE–EU relations, with negotiations underway for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The session at the FNC's Zayed Hall in Abu Dhabi will bring together senior ministers, EU diplomats and officials for a dialogue focused on boosting parliamentary cooperation and aligning positions on regional and global issues. As part of the agenda, the FNC will also host the 18th meeting of GCC parliamentary heads, with Metsola joining discussions to further strengthen GCC–EU relations.
TAG 91.1
a day ago
- TAG 91.1
UAE to host landmark parliamentary session with EU President
A landmark parliamentary session is set to take place in Abu Dhabi on Monday, as Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC), hosts Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, for an official UAE–European session. This marks the first-ever visit by a sitting European Parliament President to the Gulf region, highlighting the growing strategic ties between the UAE and the European Union. The visit follows an official invitation from the FNC and comes at a key moment in UAE–EU relations, with negotiations underway for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The session at the FNC's Zayed Hall in Abu Dhabi will bring together senior ministers, EU diplomats and officials for a dialogue focused on boosting parliamentary cooperation and aligning positions on regional and global issues. As part of the agenda, the FNC will also host the 18th meeting of GCC parliamentary heads, with Metsola joining discussions to further strengthen GCC–EU relations.
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi to host UAE-EU, GCC-EU parliamentary meetings
21 June 2025 12:06 ABU DHABI (WAM)Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC), will hold a special UAE–European parliamentary session on session will be attended by Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, marking the first official visit by a sitting European Parliament President to the Gulf region — a milestone that underscores the depth of the strategic relations and growing partnership between the United Arab Emirates and the European visit comes in response to an official invitation extended by the FNC Speaker and coincides with a pivotal phase in bilateral relations, particularly following the launch of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations between the UAE and the EU. The parliamentary dialogue reinforces a shared commitment to supporting formal diplomacy and advancing mutual interests, especially in economic and development visit will feature an official dialogue session between FNC and the European Parliament, aimed at exploring new horizons for parliamentary cooperation and aligning perspectives on key regional and international issues and special session, set to take place at the FNC's Zayed Hall in Abu Dhabi, will be attended by senior ministers, high-level officials, and representatives of the accredited EU missions in the UAE. As part of the visit's agenda, the FNC will host the 18th regular meeting of the heads of GCC Shura, Representatives, National, and Ummah Councils. The meeting, chaired by Saqr Ghobash, will include discussions with Roberta Metsola, aimed at strengthening GCC–EU parliamentary cooperation.
