Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) Chairman Visits ICBA to Explore Sustainable Agricultural Practices - Middle East Business News and Information
During the visit, H.E. Awaidha Murshed Al Marar toured ICBA's key facilities, including the research stations in the field, as well as the state-of-the-art laboratories, greenhouses, and the Emirates Soil Museum. The tour highlighted ICBA's pioneering efforts in developing climate-resilient crops and water-saving technologies, aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity in challenging environments.
During the visit, His Excellency Awaidha Murshed Al Marar praised the center's outstanding contributions to agricultural research and innovation, underscoring its pivotal role in advancing sustainable agricultural development. He remarked, 'Our visit today reflects our commitment to enhancing cooperation by harnessing clean and renewable energy technologies, along with sustainable practices, to drive progress in the agricultural sector and secure a resilient food future for all.'
His Excellency further emphasized that the UAE has consistently demonstrated remarkable proficiency in overcoming water scarcity, crediting this success to the foresight of its leadership. He noted that through the strategic use of natural resources, the adoption of advanced technologies, and ongoing research and development, the nation continues to achieve self-sufficiency while addressing the growing challenges of climate change and its impact on food security.
Dr. Tarifa Al Zaabi, Director General of ICBA, highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between energy and agriculture sectors in addressing global challenges like climate change and food insecurity. 'At ICBA, we are committed to harnessing innovation and technology to develop climate-resilient agricultural systems. Today's visit by H.E. Awaidha Murshed Al Marar underscores the importance of cooperation between energy and agriculture sectors and supports ICBA's national agenda for knowledge development and transfer in the UAE.'
Dr. alzaabi added: 'By integrating clean energy technologies into our agricultural practices, we can enhance productivity, reduce environmental impact, and contribute to the UAE's goals for energy transition and food security.'
The visit culminated in a discussion on future collaborations, where ICBA and the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy explored avenues to further integrate renewable energy solutions into agricultural practices, thus contributing to Abu Dhabi's leadership in sustainability. Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to innovation, capacity development, and sustainable development that aligns with the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 and ICBA's mission to develop solutions for global food security in saline and arid environments.
About ICBA:
Established by the Government of the United Arab Emirates and the Islamic Development Bank, the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) is a unique international not-for-profit applied research-for-development center. The center's approach integrates strategic alliances, technical expertise, and knowledge empowerment to co-create innovative solutions for sustainable livelihoods and food security in saline and arid environments. The center's research is at the nexus of soil, water, crops, and climate to prevent, manage and recover from salinity in agricultural lands. Through this holistic and integrated approach, ICBA strives to make a lasting positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of farming communities, ensuring their resilience and contributing to a more sustainable future for all.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mid East Info
29-06-2025
- Mid East Info
ICBA Concludes Participation at Eco Expo Central Asia 2025 - Middle East Business News and Information
The 'Defender of Nature' badge was awarded to Dr. Tarifa Al Zaabi, Director General of ICBA, by the Government of Uzbekistan for her outstanding contributions to environmental sustainability and her leadership in advancing climate-resilient agriculture. ICBA's pavilion was awarded second place among exhibitors for its impactful scientific content and regional relevance. ICBA showcased scientific leadership and regional collaboration at Central Asia's leading environmental forum. The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) concluded a high impact and strategically coordinated presence at Eco Expo Central Asia 2025 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. As the region's foremost platform for environmental innovation, the expo brought together government leaders, scientists, and development institutions to advance collaborative climate action and sustainable solutions for fragile environments. As part of the broader recognition of ICBA's contributions, the government of Uzbekistan awarded Dr. Al Zaabi, Director General of ICBA, the 'Tabiat Himoyachisi' (Defender of Nature) badge of honor which was established by Resolution No. 443 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan. The badge is a national honor awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in ecological restoration, scientific innovation, and the responsible use of natural resources. The distinction was conferred by His Excellency Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, acknowledging her leadership in environmental sustainability and climate-resilient agriculture During the Eco Expo event, ICBA's enaged in several high-level seminars organized in collaboration with the Ministries of Ecology of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and the International Innovation Center for the Aral Sea (IICAS) . The center focused through his participation on Reimagining Resilience via Biosaline Nexuses for a Climate-Smart Central Asia where professional regional experts in science and policy discussed how biosaline nexuses—integrated systems combining salt-tolerant crops, non-traditional water sources, clean energy, and circular bioeconomy practices—can contribute to land restoration, food security, and resilience in saline-affected regions. Moreover, ICBA presented its success story in Karakalpakstan, highlighting how South–South cooperation, supported by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), has enabled rehabilitation in salt-affected areas through the deployment of stress-tolerant crops, improved water infrastructure, and institutional capacity-building. Throughout the three-day exhibition, ICBA hosted a dedicated booth in collaboration with IICAS, showcasing field-tested innovations in biosaline agriculture, remote sensing, salinity mapping, and sustainable land and water management. The booth served as a platform for knowledge exchange with policymakers, researchers, and regional development partners working to address climate challenges in arid and saline environments. ICBA received second place in the 'Best Pavilion' category, in recognition of the booth's scientific content, innovative design, and success in fostering regional engagement. Eco Expo Central Asia is a catalyst for action,' said Dr. Tarifa Al Zaabi, Director General of ICBA. 'Our participation is part of a broader effort to translate science into real-world solutions that benefit communities facing climate and resource pressures. We look forward to expanding regional collaborations, supporting national strategies, and scaling innovations that can secure the future of agriculture in saline and arid environments.' ICBA's presence at Eco Expo Central Asia 2025 reaffirmed its role as a trusted knowledge partner and scientific leader in sustainable agriculture. Through innovation, capacity-building, and regional collaboration, the center continues to support countries in navigating climate-related risks and enhancing resilience in resource-constrained environments.
Mid East Info
23-06-2025
- Mid East Info
Emerson Foundry Receives 2025 Better Project Award from Department of Energy - Middle East Business News and Information
Automation leader's South Milwaukee plant recognized for cutting natural gas usage by 20% with an innovative building management system Emerson was recognized with the 2025 Better Project Award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) at the Better Plants Summit on May 1 in Washington D.C. The award highlights Emerson's success in achieving significant heating and energy savings with a new building management system (BMS) at its South Milwaukee foundry. The foundry, which manufactures electrical fittings, enclosures and other cast products for electrical infrastructure under the Appleton Group brand, has historically been one of the largest energy-consuming operations within the Emerson portfolio. By implementing a new BMS to optimize comfort heating at the site, Emerson was able to reduce natural gas consumption by 20%, nearly 13,000 MMBtu, and mitigate 9% of the foundry's entire emissions footprint. 'At our foundry, we've built a legacy of innovation and continuous improvement to deliver best-in-class solutions for our customers across industries,' said John Schuster, foundry plant manager with Emerson's discrete automation business. 'That same dedication drives our efforts to minimize our environmental impact. Receiving this recognition from the U.S. Department of Energy affirms our progress in creating a more energy-efficient future.' The Emerson foundry was among 16 other plants to receive the Better Project Award in recognition of outstanding accomplishments in energy efficiency. The DOE's Better Plants Program works with leading U.S. manufacturers and commercial building operators to set ambitious energy, water, waste and emissions reduction goals. By partnering with industries, the program aims to help leading manufacturers boost efficiency, increase resilience and strengthen economic competitiveness. The new BMS now enables precise control and monitoring of comfort heating and cooling systems. By optimizing this equipment, the facility has substantially reduced both gas and electricity usage by eliminating long periods of overheating that were accentuated by radiant heat from foundry operations, and by reducing temperature setpoints outside of operational hours. This project was supported by Focus on Energy®, Wisconsin utilities' statewide program for energy efficiency, which provided technical oversight of project scoping and system design. Focus on Energy also helped the foundry capitalize on a custom utility project grant that greatly boosted project economics, saving ratepayers money by mitigating the cost of future infrastructure buildout. The BMS helped Emerson realize $127,000 year-over-year savings in natural gas costs at a net project cost of $118,000, resulting in an effective payback period of under one year. The solution also reduced total site energy consumption by 10%, from 130,000 1,000,000 British thermal units (MMBtu) to 117,000 MMBtu. 'By optimizing our use of heating energy at our South Milwaukee site, we've greatly reduced energy cost, providing a competitive edge to American production of iron castings while also driving a significant reduction in Emerson's difficult-to-abate scope 1 emissions footprint,' said Schuster. 'Now, we're able to more efficiently and effectively serve our customers with trusted Appleton solutions that make electrical installations safer, more productive and more reliable.' The Appleton brand includes a broad range of rugged electrical solutions for customers working in industrial and hazardous environments around the world. The Appleton portfolio includes solutions for electrical construction, lighting, industrial power, power controls and connectivity, industrial heat tracing, heating cables and more. The South Milwaukee foundry that produces Appleton products has previously been recognized for excellence. In 2019, the facility earned the 2019 Plant Engineering Award by the American Foundry Society for innovation and commitment to continuous improvement.
Mid East Info
08-05-2025
- Mid East Info
smart Partners with American University of Sharjah for ‘Get Active for Education' Walkathon to Fuel Scholarships
smart's AED 100-per-finisher pledge raises AED 10,000 for AUS scholarships smart drives campus engagement with 500+ through EV test drives and community games Sharjah, UAE –May 2025 – smart, the contemporary sustainable-mobility brand presented by AW Rostamani Group in the UAE, proudly partnered with the American University of Sharjah (AUS) as the official mobility partner for the three-day 'Get Active for Education' initiative (April 8–10, 2025). Blending healthy competition with charitable giving, the event raised critical funds for AUS's scholarship programme – empowering students facing economic barriers and students of determination to pursue their studies. During the three-day event, the first 100 finishers of the 2K walkathon triggered smart's AED 100 donation per participant, generating at least AED 10,000 for the AUS scholarship fund. More than 500 faculty, students and local businesses competed in the Corporate and Student Games semi-finals and finals, fostering teamwork, promoting healthy lifestyles and nurturing an inclusive spirit. Attendees also had the chance to test-drive smart's cutting-edge electric vehicles on campus, experiencing firsthand the brand's leadership in sustainable mobility. 'Our collaboration with AUS on Get Active for Education exemplifies smart's vision to lead with purpose,' said Roberto Colucci, Director of Electric Vehicles at AW Rostamani Group. 'Through combining physical activity with a scholarship drive, we're advancing sustainable transport while investing in the future of students who face social or financial barriers. Together with the AUS community, we're driving toward a more inclusive, forward-thinking tomorrow. We're excited to see the continued impact of this partnership and look forward to future collaborations that build on its success.' This partnership directly supports the UAE's Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to triple the contribution of renewable energy and achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century. smart's presence on campus demonstrated how electric mobility solutions can reduce carbon footprints, accelerate the transition to green energy, and engage communities in sustainability practices. At the closing ceremony, AUS presented smart with a commemorative plaque in recognition of its generous support and for raising awareness around accessibility in education. This accolade underscores the power of purpose-driven collaboration between industry leaders and academic institutions. The success of Get Active for Education highlights how sustainable-mobility companies can serve as catalysts for social progress – providing educational opportunities, promoting healthy lifestyles, and fostering environmental stewardship. Building on this momentum, smart looks forward to deepening its partnership with AUS and launching new initiatives that unite innovation with inclusivity. About smart: Since its inception in the 1990s, smart has pioneered urban electric mobility. In 2019, smart Automobile Co., Ltd. was established, adopting a 'China-Europe dual-home' strategy to become a world-leading, all-electric, new-premium brand. A joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, smart combines cutting-edge R&D with sustainable production to deliver compact EVs designed for modern cities.
