UAE chairs Global Energy Efficiency Alliance
DUBAI (WAM)The UAE, represented by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), announced that it is chairing the Global Energy Efficiency Alliance (GEEA) for the coming years, following the formation of GEEA's General Secretariat.The UAE announced its intention to establish GEEA during the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, in support of the UAE Consensus and the global goal of doubling the energy efficiency improvement rate, from the historical average of two percent to over four percent annually by 2030.GEEA reaffirms the UAE's commitment to placing energy efficiency at the forefront of the international energy and climate agenda.This effort comes at a critical moment, as the world is currently off track, the global energy efficiency improvement rate remains below 1.5 percent annually, and at this pace, the world will fall short of achieving its decarbonisation and net-zero targets.GEEA complements other high-level initiatives such as the Mission Efficiency partnership, the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group, and regional clean energy platforms. Together, these combined efforts must be mutually reinforcing, not fragmented—ensuring that knowledge, finance, and best practices flow across borders and sectors.Through chairing this ambitious alliance, the UAE underscores its commitment to spearheading international efforts to enhance energy efficiency across various sectors.The UAE aims to strengthen collaboration among governments, the private sector, financial institutions, and research and innovation centers, thereby accelerating the transition toward more efficient and sustainable energy systems.In this context, Sharif Al Olama, Under-Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at MoEI, emphasised that the UAE's chairing of GEEA reflects the international community's confidence in the country's ability to lead and coordinate effectively.He noted that GEEA will play a pivotal role in policy development, knowledge, and expertise exchange, enhancing access to finance and innovation, and enabling member states to achieve their national and international energy efficiency goals.Al Olama said, 'This alliance serves as a practical and inclusive platform to accelerate the achievement of the global target to double the rate of energy efficiency by 2030, in line with the historic UAE Consensus. We welcome all partners from around the world to join and collaborate for a more efficient and sustainable future. GEEA aims to drive transformative improvements in energy consumption efficiency across key sectors, including buildings, transportation, and industry.'
Last February, the UAE hosted a high-level roundtable during the World Government Summit in Dubai, where the general framework of the alliance was discussed with several countries, international organisations, private sector entities, and financial institutions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sharjah 24
5 days ago
- Sharjah 24
Fujairah CP witnesses launch first digital gov service centre
The centre, inaugurated by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, represents a pioneering model at the national level for delivering smart, interconnected government services that rely entirely on artificial intelligence, virtual reality, metaverse, and blockchain technologies, without direct human intervention . Sheikh Mohammed Al Sharqi said, 'Today, we take pride in launching the virtual digital services centre in Fujairah, which embodies the vision of our wise leadership toward building a future-ready government founded on innovation. This centre contributes to enhancing quality of life and facilitating services for citizens and residents alike. It stands as an advanced model of smart government services and reflects the ability of our national institutions to adopt and effectively leverage cutting-edge technologies—affirming the UAE's pioneering position in the field of digital government transformation .' the Crown Prince of Fujairah added, 'We applaud the efforts of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure in developing an integrated digital service infrastructure that enhances government efficiency, improves the customer experience, and supports sustainable development in Fujairah, which continues to actively contribute to the nation's progress .' Eng Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry, said, 'The centre represents a transformational shift in the delivery of government services, offering a groundbreaking experience built on artificial intelligence and hologram technology. This model is scalable across all emirates, enhancing the UAE's global competitiveness in the digital domain. Launching the centre in Fujairah reflects the leadership's vision of promoting balanced development and is a practical step within the Ministry's efforts to build a human-centred, interconnected government services ecosystem aligned with the goals of the 'We the UAE 2031' vision and the shift toward smart government .' He affirmed that the launch of the centre aligns with the National Strategy for Government Services, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. This strategy aims to position the UAE as a global benchmark for the most efficient and innovative government services, translating the wise leadership's directives for the UAE to be number one globally in government service delivery . Eng Mohammed bin Taliah, Chief of Government Services in the UAE Government, explained that the centre represents a pivotal step in the government's digital transformation journey and reflects government entities' ability to adopt the latest digital innovations to deliver an exceptional customer experience that aligns with the country's aspirations of delivering world-class services . He said, 'The centre serves as an advanced interactive platform for enabling customers to directly contribute to developing government services through innovative channels that allow them to submit their suggestions and feedback. This fosters integration among government entities, promotes a culture of community engagement, and establishes a flexible government environment capable of responding promptly to evolving needs .' The launch of the Digital Services Centre is part of the Ministry's broader plan to expand this innovative model across the UAE, in align with the UAE Government Services Strategy, and the Government Services Development Guide 2.0. The centre offers over 150 digital services, aiming to serve more than 20,000 users annually . Integrating smart systems that enhance operational efficiency and support data-driven decision-making, the centre provides a wide range of services from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, in addition to a set of services from federal and local partner entities in the Emirate of Fujairah—offered through a unified and fully integrated digital experience. This contributes to simplifying procedures, saving time and effort, and improving quality of life, in line with the smart government approach that places people at the heart of its priorities . To mark the inauguration of the centre, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, in collaboration with Emirates Post, has issued a commemorative stamp honouring Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah .
Zawya
5 days ago
- Zawya
Crown Prince of Fujairah witnesses launch of first fully digital government service centre in emirate
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, witnessed the launch of the first fully integrated digital government services centre in Fujairah. The centre, inaugurated by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, represents a pioneering model at the national level for delivering smart, interconnected government services that rely entirely on artificial intelligence, virtual reality, metaverse, and blockchain technologies, without direct human intervention. H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Al Sharqi said, 'Today, we take pride in launching the virtual digital services centre in Fujairah, which embodies the vision of our wise leadership toward building a future-ready government founded on innovation. This centre contributes to enhancing quality of life and facilitating services for citizens and residents alike. It stands as an advanced model of smart government services and reflects the ability of our national institutions to adopt and effectively leverage cutting-edge technologies—affirming the UAE's pioneering position in the field of digital government transformation.' H.H. the Crown Prince of Fujairah added, 'We applaud the efforts of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure in developing an integrated digital service infrastructure that enhances government efficiency, improves the customer experience, and supports sustainable development in Fujairah, which continues to actively contribute to the nation's progress.' Eng Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry, said, 'The centre represents a transformational shift in the delivery of government services, offering a groundbreaking experience built on artificial intelligence and hologram technology. This model is scalable across all emirates, enhancing the UAE's global competitiveness in the digital domain. Launching the centre in Fujairah reflects the leadership's vision of promoting balanced development and is a practical step within the Ministry's efforts to build a human-centred, interconnected government services ecosystem aligned with the goals of the 'We the UAE 2031' vision and the shift toward smart government.' He affirmed that the launch of the centre aligns with the National Strategy for Government Services, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. This strategy aims to position the UAE as a global benchmark for the most efficient and innovative government services, translating the wise leadership's directives for the UAE to be number one globally in government service delivery. Eng Mohammed bin Taliah, Chief of Government Services in the UAE Government, explained that the centre represents a pivotal step in the government's digital transformation journey and reflects government entities' ability to adopt the latest digital innovations to deliver an exceptional customer experience that aligns with the country's aspirations of delivering world-class services. He said, 'The centre serves as an advanced interactive platform for enabling customers to directly contribute to developing government services through innovative channels that allow them to submit their suggestions and feedback. This fosters integration among government entities, promotes a culture of community engagement, and establishes a flexible government environment capable of responding promptly to evolving needs.' The launch of the Digital Services Centre is part of the Ministry's broader plan to expand this innovative model across the UAE, in align with the UAE Government Services Strategy, and the Government Services Development Guide 2.0. The centre offers over 150 digital services, aiming to serve more than 20,000 users annually. Integrating smart systems that enhance operational efficiency and support data-driven decision-making, the centre provides a wide range of services from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, in addition to a set of services from federal and local partner entities in the Emirate of Fujairah—offered through a unified and fully integrated digital experience. This contributes to simplifying procedures, saving time and effort, and improving quality of life, in line with the smart government approach that places people at the heart of its priorities. To mark the inauguration of the centre, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, in collaboration with Emirates Post, has issued a commemorative stamp honouring H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah.
Gulf Business
5 days ago
- Gulf Business
UAE leads global shift towards chief AI officers, says IBM and Dubai Future Foundation study
Image: Getty Images The United Arab Emirates is at the forefront of a growing global trend in artificial intelligence governance, with more organisations appointing chief AI officers (CAIOs) than any other country surveyed, according to a new global study by the IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV), conducted in collaboration with the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF). The study, based on a global survey of over 600 CAIOs across 22 countries and 21 industries, reveals that 33 per cent of organisations in the UAE have appointed a CAIO, compared to the global average of 26 per cent. These leadership roles are proving valuable — organisations with a CAIO report 10 per cent higher return on investment (ROI) on AI spending. Where CAIOs lead a centralised or hub-and-spoke operating model, ROI rises by as much as 36 per cent. The report features a foreword by His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, who emphasised the cultural and operational importance of AI leadership. 'AI is not a singular breakthrough, it's ten thousand small shifts. It's cultural. It's institutional. It's a habit. The CAIO will be the one pushing that habit forward – across public administration, healthcare, education and logistics. More than a technologist, the CAIO is a translator between vision and execution, a bridge between strategy and science, and a steward of value across the enterprise.' The report includes contributions from key UAE entities such as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Customs, showcasing a cross-sectoral view of AI strategy in the country. 'Dubai's early adoption of the Chief AI Officer role reflects our national commitment to a responsible, future-ready government,' said Saeed Al Falasi, director of the Dubai Center for Artificial Intelligence. 'This study reinforces that CAIOs are strategic enablers and catalysts that drive the city's vision for the future. By empowering these leaders with the right tools, we are setting the stage for scalable, measurable AI impact across key sectors in Dubai.' Shukri Eid, VP and GM, IBM Gulf, Levant and Pakistan, added: 'The UAE is setting a global benchmark by embedding Chief AI Officers within organisations, ensuring AI is a strategic enabler across sectors. This is a testament to the nation's foresight in shaping a future-ready economy. As we continue our collaboration with the Dubai Future Foundation, IBM remains committed to helping organisations scale their AI capabilities to drive measurable, long-term impact.' Lula Mohanty, managing partner, Middle East and Africa, IBM Consulting, said: 'By appointing CAIOs early and giving them visibility and budget control, UAE organisations have laid a strong foundation for enterprise AI. The next step is execution, moving beyond pilots, embedding AI into core business functions and delivering measurable ROI. IBM is proud to partner with UAE clients on this next phase of their AI journey.' Key findings: UAE CAIOs driving stronger results UAE CAIOs benefit from stronger senior leadership support: 90 per cent say they receive sufficient CEO support, vs. 80 per cent globally. 86 per cent have broader C-suite backing, vs. 79 per cent globally. 69 per cent were appointed internally, compared to 57 per cent globally. Their roles are broader and more strategic: 79 per cent control the AI budget (vs. 61 per cent globally). 62 per cent prioritise building business cases (vs. 45 per cent globally). 50 per cent oversee direct implementation of AI, in line with global peers. However, 38 per cent of UAE CAIOs find implementation 'very difficult', higher than the global average of 30 per cent. UAE CAIOs bring deep operational expertise: 69 per cent have a background in data, mirroring global figures. 48 per cent come from operations, compared to 38 per cent globally — reflecting an execution-oriented approach. Balancing experimentation with accountability While impact measurement is a priority, UAE CAIOs are not waiting for perfect metrics to act: 76 per cent say their organisation risks falling behind without measurement of AI impact (vs. 72 per cent globally). 74 per cent initiate AI projects even if results can't yet be fully measured (vs. 68 per cent globally). Room to scale Despite the leadership momentum, AI adoption maturity is still developing: 76 per cent of UAE organisations remain in the pilot stage, compared to 60 per cent globally — indicating significant growth potential in operationalising AI at scale. The study also reflects broader national goals. As part of the UAE's AI Strategy 2031, the country aims to become a global leader in artificial intelligence across sectors such as health, education, energy, and smart cities. This collaborative research from IBM and Dubai Future Foundation positions CAIOs as central to achieving that ambition. For more insights and to access the full study, visit:
