UAE on track for sustainable economic growth: Report

The State of Green Economy Report aims to monitor and document the country’s progress in its green economy efforts in accordance with the UAE’s green development strategy.

Abu Dhabi — Dr Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, UAE Minister for Environment and Water, has issued the nation’s first State of Green Economy Report which evaluates the country’s economic development on the basis of international sustainable standards.

The UAE has been witnessing a resurgence in its comprehensive development as a result of cooperation with various sectors as the country transforms into a green economy, said the minister.

The shift, which represents one of the country’s sustainable development approaches, is in line with the UAE Strategy for Green Development launched in 2012 by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, under the slogan ‘Green Economy for Sustainable Development’.

In response to the UAE Vision 2021, bin Fahad said the State of Green Economy Report aims to monitor and document the country’s progress in its green economy efforts in accordance with the UAE’s green development strategy.

He said the report also provides a clear and comprehensive picture of the UAE’s green economy approach to inform policy and decision makers as well as the general public of the country’s efforts.

“It discusses the initiative’s role in achieving sustainable development and the steps taken by both the public and private sectors as well,” the minister said.

The report focuses on the UAE’s global status by highlighting the country’s objective performance indicators in comparison with those of other countries.

Bin Fahad said: “The five-chapter report includes the latest and most reliable information about the economic, social and environmental benefits of the UAE’s green economy approach.

“It also highlights the nine main developmental sector initiatives undertaken by concerned authorities to accelerate the country’s adoption of this sustainable economic framework and performance measurements based on 30 national indicators.

“The report discusses the future prospects of the green agenda as well, giving special focus on green economy governance and the approved structure for the implementation of the green development strategy.

“The UAE occupies a prestigious global position in the movement towards a green economy by implementing a set of innovative and pioneering initiatives adopted over the previous years. It also plays a crucial role in, and effectively contributes to, international efforts to boost its economic approach at the regional and international levels,” the minister added.

The Ministry of Environment and Water, in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme, organised the first global conference on the UN Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) in Dubai in March 2014.