New report calls for collective action to speed up green transition in Arab governments
10 June 2025 00:15
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)Empowering talent, accelerating green digital transformation, and expanding partnerships to finance a sustainable future emerged as key priorities for collective action in the latest report on the "State of Arab Governments: Government Policies and Sustainability-Based Technologies".Based on insights from more than 1,600 leaders and officials across Arab governments, the third edition of the report was unveiled at the 2025 Sustainability and Government Action Forum, in collaboration with the Arab Organisation for Administrative Development (ARADO).The report highlights the critical role of technology and innovation in advancing sustainability efforts amid escalating global climate risks. In this context, the UAE's investments in irrigation, precision farming, and digital harvesting are emerging as exemplary models for the region.Sixty-nine percent of officials in the region indicate that their governments have established and publicly shared a clear climate action plan, according to the report.Nearly 8 in 10 individuals agree that climate action should be a top government priority, and 42% believe that their current approaches align well with global best practices.However, many respondents acknowledged the need for progress in key areas: 22% highlighted water management and conservation as a critical next focus, while 17% identified both urban planning and sustainable infrastructure as top priorities for improvement.Although 59% say their governments have laid out net-zero emissions goals, only 39% think their governments are adequately prepared to achieve sustainability, and 34% are moderately prepared with respect to key technologies.In terms of infrastructure, 38% of the respondents strongly agree that their governments are working towards a shift to e-vehicles and sustainable transport, while 69% indicate that steps have been taken to make buildings more sustainable.More than half of those polled (53%) recognise that climate change affects citizens' daily lives - and 44% strongly agree that climate action is a priority for their governments.The officials also highlighted the importance of informed policymaking, with 45% agreeing that specific climate and environment data must be collected as part of regulatory practices.Some 38% strongly believe that their governments are working with the private sector to build a green economy, the report added.Resource conservation has emerged as an area of concern. Forty-two percent of officials identified renewable energy as a top priority, while 39% stressed the importance of water management solutions.For the private sector, 50% of officials stated that they have developed policies encouraging the use of sustainable tech, and 43% confirmed that their governments support green-tech startups.
Primary RecommendationsThe report outlined some recommendations to speed up the green transition in Arab governments. It called for government budgets to be classified according to their environmental impact, highlighting the importance of aligning the use of funds with sustainability targets.The officials also recommend nurturing green skills through regional training programmes and creating public-private climate innovation labs that develop actionable solutions.Other key measures include implementing full sustainability standards for government buildings, along with promoting performance-based financing models.Additionally, the report highlighted the need to develop unified climate data platforms, standardise green procurement policies, as well as actively engage citizens; especially the youth - in sustainability initiatives.
It further calls on developing digital infrastructure and a regional academy to upskill government officials on climate policy and green finance.
Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hi Dubai
4 hours ago
- Hi Dubai
GCC Countries Boost Tourism Revenue as Visitor Spending Set to Hit $223.7 Billion by 2034
GCC countries are on track to significantly expand their tourism sector, with visitor spending projected to reach US$223.7 billion by 2034, according to new figures released by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat). In 2023 alone, international visitors spent US$135.5 billion across the region, marking a sharp 28.9% rise compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. This surge highlights the region's accelerating momentum in attracting global tourists and boosting its non-oil economy. Tourism's growing economic role is also reflected in its projected contribution to total exports, which is expected to climb to 13.4% by 2034. The report also points to continued progress across key tourism indicators, underscoring the GCC's strategic focus on the sector as part of its broader economic diversification efforts. Safety and security remain major strengths, with the GCC topping the 2024 Safety and Security Index for the Middle East and North Africa. All member states scored above the regional average of 5.86 out of 7. In addition, GCC nations ranked among the top six in the Arab region for passport strength, further supporting their push to attract international travelers and strengthen global mobility. These milestones affirm the GCC's growing position as a leading destination in the global tourism landscape. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Al Etihad
15 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Arab leaders warn of 'catastrophic consequences' following US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities
22 June 2025 22:24 ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)The Arab world voiced concern on Sunday following a series of US airstrikes that targeted key nuclear facilities in Iran. The rare direct attack by Washington prompted region-wide condemnation, with Gulf and Arab capitals warning that the escalation risks plunging the region into deeper instability and calling for a return to Arabia described the targeting of nuclear sites as a grave provocation. In a post on X, the Saudi Foreign Ministry reiterated its condemnation of "the violation of the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran" and called on the international community to intensify efforts towards finding a political solution to the said it "regrets the deterioration of the situation" and reaffirmed its support for peaceful solutions through regional and international cooperation. The Qatari Foreign Ministry cautioned that the escalation could lead to catastrophic consequences, stressing that the people of the region "cannot endure" the humanitarian cost of more called for a swift resumption of US-Iran negotiations, stressing that diplomacy must prevail to "spare [the region's] people the horrors and dangers of war". The Interior Ministry instructed 70% of government workers to work from home and urged citizens to avoid unnecessary use of roads to keep them clear for emergency also condemned the strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure, warning that the move threatens global security. Its Foreign Ministry denounced the violation of Iran's sovereignty, urged an immediate and complete end to military operations and called on the UN Security Council to take responsibility in de-escalating the described the US strikes as an "unlawful act of aggression" and a breach of international law. A spokesperson for Oman's Foreign Ministry warned the strike risks "widening the conflict" and denounced the targeting of nuclear facilities, which it said are protected under the Geneva Conventions due to the risks of radioactive warned of the "disastrous repercussions" of continued escalation, calling for urgent efforts to protect regional and global peace. The Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks and called for a political solution to the standoff over Iran's nuclear said the crisis was reaching a dangerous tipping point and could jeopardise the entire region's security. Cairo reaffirmed its position on respecting state sovereignty and urged all parties to avoid military confrontation. It also stressed that peaceful dialogue remained the only viable path Arab Parliament also condemned the strikes, saying they threaten to inflame conflicts across the Middle East. In a statement, it said the region was already suffering from rising tensions and could not bear further escalation. The body rejected the use of military force and urged powerful nations to lead efforts that advocate for diplomatic solutions to existing reactions came hours after US President Donald Trump announced that American forces had carried out strikes on Iran's nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Speaking on Fox News, Trump said six bunker-buster bombs were dropped on Fordow, and 30 Tomahawk missiles were used to strike other sites. He said Iran must now choose "peace or tragedy".US military officials said on Sunday that the operation, named 'Midnight Hammer', involved 125 aircraft and used 75 precision-guided weapons. B-2 bombers flew 18 hours from the United States and conducted the largest such operation in their history. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of violating the UN Charter and international law and said Tehran "reserves all options" in response. The Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation said the strikes caused extensive damage but vowed the move "will not allow the path of development of this national industry to be stopped". Israel-Iran Conflict Continue full coverage
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Al Etihad
Abdulla Al Hamed meets Arab content creators in Cannes
21 June 2025 19:35 CANNES (WAM) Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office (NMO) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the UAE Media Council, met with a number of Arab content creators during his participation in the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in the French city of meeting was attended by Dr. Jamal Mohammed Obaid Al Kaabi, Director-General of the National Media meeting highlighted the upcoming BRIDGE Summit, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi this December, as a global platform for fostering media collaboration and developing an advanced media ecosystem that anticipates future Hamed affirmed that the summit provides a vital space for engagement, knowledge exchange and the creation of new media solutions that amplify the positive impact of content. He invited content creators to actively participate in the summit's activities, emphasising their pivotal role in shaping public awareness and delivering creative messages to diverse audiences across digital added that content creation has become a powerful tool for building awareness and culture, and an essential element in supporting the path of sustainable development. Al Hamed also stressed the importance of producing content that reflects Arab culture and issues and communicating them to global audiences, especially in relation to the aspirations of Arab youth for development and prosperity.
