AGP Executive Report

Circular Textiles Push: UAE’s “Naseej” initiative aims to recycle 220,000 tonnes of textile waste annually, turning discarded clothes into new industrial inputs and boosting a circular economy. World Environment Day Spotlight: Zayed National Museum marked World Environment Day with hands-on workshops and heritage-linked sustainability activities, including biodiversity and repair/reuse learning. Food Safety Focus: UAE experts say food safety is treated as a public health priority, with tighter regulation, tech traceability and closer regulator-industry coordination. Trade & Logistics Growth: Dubai’s DIEZ logged a record 2025 trade performance of about Dhs491b (+46%), reinforcing the emirate’s non-oil momentum. Fujairah-China Ties: Fujairah Free Zone discussed deeper cooperation with China, highlighting investment advantages and logistics links. Infrastructure Update: RTA is 90% done on a 1,500-metre bridge connecting Sheikh Zayed Road to Dubai Harbour, with traffic openings planned this June. Environment Diplomacy: UAE environment officials met Qatar’s ambassador to discuss climate and environmental cooperation. Coastal Risk Abroad: Nigeria’s Lagos-Calabar coastal highway faces sustainability concerns as sea levels erode the Gulf of Guinea coastline.

Textile Circularity Push: Abu Dhabi’s Naseej initiative is urging residents to cut textile waste and recycle/repurpose the UAE’s estimated 220,000 tonnes of textile waste each year, with a community drop-off network and “Bag of Possibility” activation at Yas Mall. Food Waste Cuts: UAE Food Bank and DP World Foundation launched “Sustainable Goodness” to recover abandoned food shipments at Jebel Ali Port and redistribute eligible items to beneficiaries, with health-and-safety checks and streamlined customs release. Clean Energy & Climate Finance: IRENA signed a partnership with Etihad Credit Insurance to expand access to financing and de-risk renewable energy projects via the ETAF platform, backed by $4.15bn in pledges. Local Infrastructure for Cleaner Mobility: RTA’s new bridge linking Sheikh Zayed Road to Dubai Harbour is 90% complete and set to cut travel time from 12 minutes to 3, easing congestion around a major waterfront and tourism hub. UAE Jobs & Skills: MoHESR held an industry-immersion workshop to better align higher education with labour-market needs, while Dubai’s Digital School expanded teacher training in Seychelles to strengthen digital classroom skills.

Clean Energy Push (UAE): Abu Dhabi says it will generate 60% of electricity from clean, renewable sources by 2035, as part of wider climate and resource-efficiency planning. Nature & Water Security: Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) signed a framework partnership with IUCN, aiming to strengthen conservation and sustainability work. World Environment Day (UAE): Abu Dhabi and UAE partners marked World Environment Day with renewed climate pledges and sustainability initiatives, including community-focused actions. Circular Waste (UAE): UAE textile waste and circular fashion efforts are getting fresh attention, with calls to move from good intentions to real local action. Nuclear Safety (UAE): Qatar renewed condemnation of an attack on the UAE’s Barakah nuclear plant, warning that targeting peaceful nuclear facilities endangers civilians and the environment. Regional Climate Resilience: BRICS disaster-risk meetings in Odisha praised disaster management progress and near-zero casualty outcomes, highlighting lessons for natural-disaster preparedness. Governance & Sustainability (UAE): UAE participated in the EBRD Board of Governors meeting, stressing economic stability and sustainable development amid regional conflict pressures.

Biodiversity Partnership: Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) signed a four-year Framework Partnership Agreement with IUCN, aiming to boost biodiversity conservation, species recovery and nature-positive development across West Asia. Clean Energy Push: Abu Dhabi marked World Environment Day with renewed focus on building more resilient energy and water systems, stressing resource efficiency and sustainable governance. Water & Mobility Outlook: A new forecast says the global water taxi market could climb from $23.41bn (2026) to $33.18bn by 2035, with electric fleets and tourism demand as key drivers. Smart Transport Future: Abu Dhabi unveiled plans for flying taxis, autonomous transport testing, “AD Maps” real-time geospatial navigation and smart signals for emergency response. World Environment Day Action: A UAE construction project ran site-wide environmental awareness and pledges, turning “pledge to cleanup” style messaging into on-the-ground staff participation. Renewables Finance: IRENA partnered with Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI) to help unlock renewable energy investment by reducing perceived risks through credit insurance and risk mitigation.

World Environment Day (UAE): Zayed National Museum is running hands-on weekend activities that spotlight how Emiratis lived sustainably long before today’s climate movement, linking heritage crafts and everyday resource use to the theme “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.” Climate adaptation (Abu Dhabi): Environment Agency–Abu Dhabi says World Environment Day is a chance to renew protection of natural resources and biodiversity, pointing to its Abu Dhabi Climate Change Adaptation Plan (2025–2050) with 142 actions to safeguard groundwater, soil and ecosystems. Biodiversity (UAE): Emirates Nature–WWF reports Arabian wildcats photographed in Wadi Wurayah National Park for the first time in at least a decade, using camera monitoring supported by Mashreq and the Fujairah Environment Authority. Circular textiles (UAE): The national Naseej initiative is pushing textile circularity to tackle an estimated 220,000 tonnes of textile waste a year, with public events and a focus on making donation, reuse and recycling easier. Energy & security (Gulf): The Arab League urged UN action over attacks on oil tankers and vessels in the Arabian Gulf, as tensions around Hormuz continue to disrupt maritime activity. Renewables push (UAE-linked): Gulf states are accelerating overseas wind and solar investment, with UAE firms like Masdar expanding abroad as energy security concerns grow. Wildlife & tourism (UAE partnership): Construction of Uganda’s Kidepo International Airport has begun, with Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry backing the project to improve access to Kidepo Valley National Park.

World Environment Day & Climate Pledge: The UAE marked World Environment Day with renewed climate commitments, pointing to national frameworks like Net Zero 2050, the National Climate Change Plan, and the circular economy push. Biodiversity & Protected Areas: A new UAE biodiversity report approved by Cabinet in March 2026 says protected areas now cover 55 terrestrial and marine reserves (19.04% of the country), with new reserves such as Wadi Al Qurha in Sharjah. Clean Energy Push (DEWA): DEWA highlighted progress toward Dubai’s clean energy and net-zero goals, including the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and rising clean power share. Renewables Finance: IRENA partnered with Etihad Credit Insurance to back renewable energy project financing via the ETAF platform, aiming to reduce investment risk. Urban Liveability: Abu Dhabi announced LIVEX 2026, a liveability and investment exhibition focused on people-first urban development and sustainability. Nature in Action (Parks & Recycling): Umm Al Emarat Park welcomed 410,000+ visitors in 2025–2026, while Emirates recycling efforts marked World Environment Day with the Emirates Recycling Awards.

Urban Greening: Abu Dhabi plans to boost urban comfort with 5,000 new shade trees in 2026, including 1,800 on Abu Dhabi Island and 3,200 on the mainland, aiming to cut temperatures, dust and noise while improving air quality and biodiversity. Clean Energy Push: DEWA says Dubai’s clean energy output now reaches 21.5% of total capacity, as the emirate targets 100% clean power by 2050. World Environment Day: The UAE marks June 5 with renewed focus on climate neutrality by 2050, highlighting biodiversity protection, plastic reduction and climate-smart agriculture under national net-zero and circular economy plans. Air Travel Emissions & Fuel Costs: Global airline leaders meet at IATA in Rio as Iran-war fuel shocks threaten net-zero progress, with sustainable aviation fuel supply and higher costs in the spotlight. Circular Economy in Aviation: Emirates reports repurposing 88 tonnes of inflight plastic into new onboard serviceware, cutting landfill waste through a closed-loop recycling model. Nature & Community: Dubai RTA readies 40 air-conditioned rest areas for delivery riders ahead of summer, supporting safer, healthier urban life.

Clean Energy & Water Resilience: Abu Dhabi Department of Energy hosted the 3rd Water and Energy Majlis and unveiled an Abu Dhabi Water and Energy Resilience Framework, built around infrastructure, human capital and governance, plus technology and innovation. Climate & Heat Preparedness: A fresh push on meteorology leadership comes as forecasters warn of extreme summer temperatures and the UAE’s growing need for smarter climate planning. Water Access Finance: First Abu Dhabi Bank partnered with Water.org and WaterEquity ahead of World Environment Day, backing a fund focused on safe water and sanitation in emerging markets. Sustainable Transport & Safety: Dubai’s RTA says air-conditioned rest areas for delivery riders are fully ready for summer, with about 40 facilities across high-demand zones to improve safety and rider wellbeing. Circular Economy Push: The UAE’s “Naseej” initiative to shift textiles toward circularity and cut waste continues to gain momentum. Green Tech Events: DEWA opened registration for WETEX 2026 (20–22 Oct), spotlighting energy, water, environment, sustainability, decarbonisation and green mobility. UAE Climate Diplomacy: A UAE-Qatar meeting focused on boosting international cooperation and sustainable development. Sustainable Shipping Deal: Dubai-based JIH Global Investment is set to bring dozens of Navier’s zero-emissions hydrofoil vessels to the Maldives, starting with five in 2026.

UAE–Bahrain Finance: Central Bank governors met in Abu Dhabi to deepen banking and monetary cooperation, including coordination mechanisms and digital transformation. Food & Water Security: Nigeria and the UAE reaffirmed plans to boost water supply, sanitation and irrigated agriculture under the SPIN initiative. Circular Textiles: The UAE launched “Naseej” to cut textile waste and push the sector toward a circular economy. Nature & Wildlife: Environment Agency–Abu Dhabi signed an agreement with the IUCN to strengthen conservation work. Energy & Climate Risk: The Strait of Hormuz remains under pressure as Iran–US tensions flare, keeping regional oil and gas volatility in focus. Health & Safety: Doctors in the UAE urged responsible use of new oral weight-loss drugs after Wegovy approval and Eli Lilly’s launch. Tech & Data Centers: A UAE tech report says local firms are ramping onshore talent and data sovereignty audits faster than global peers, as AI and digital risk management intensify. Healthcare Innovation: NYU researchers unveiled a redesigned “Lily” stent concept to better treat gastric leaks after weight-loss surgery. Local Media Talent: Ras Al Khaimah’s media office and AURAK recognized the first cohort of its Junior Reporter Program.

Nuclear safety spotlight: IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi praised the UAE’s peaceful nuclear programme after a visit to Barakah, stressing safety, transparency and ongoing cooperation to strengthen nuclear safety and security. Heat protection at work: MoHRE will enforce the UAE midday work ban from June 15 to Sept. 15 (12:30pm–3pm) for outdoor work, with shaded areas, cooling tools, water and humidifiers, plus limited technical and safety exceptions. Nature action in Abu Dhabi: Environment Agency–Abu Dhabi signed an agreement with IUCN to support nature protection work, building on Abu Dhabi’s “Call for Nature Action” and biodiversity planning. SAF transparency push: IATA and ICAO teamed up to improve transparent reporting on sustainable aviation fuel progress, aiming to build trust and keep aviation on track for net zero by 2050. Blue economy ties: UAE encourages Bangladesh participation in the Zayed Sustainability Prize, with themes including climate action, and a June 22 submission deadline. Housing confidence: Abu Dhabi’s rental increase is set to 0% temporarily (from 5%), citing cost of living and record demand, with renewals tied to the last Tawtheeq rate.

Textile Circularity Push: UAE launches Naseej, a national initiative for textile circularity, aiming to cut the estimated 220,000 tonnes of textile waste produced yearly by boosting collection, recycling infrastructure, and research across the textile value chain. Nuclear Safety Update: IAEA chief Rafael Grossi says the watchdog will provide comprehensive support to the UAE after a drone strike hit Barakah, praising the rapid shutdown response and scheduling technical assessments to complete repairs. Tenant Protection in Abu Dhabi: ADREC suspends rent increases on lease renewals, freezing the approved rental value until further notice—giving tenants and businesses more budget certainty. UAE Economy Watch: UAE non-oil private sector growth stays subdued in May as geopolitical tensions and supply-chain disruptions weigh on output and new business, even as conditions improve slightly. Dubai Community Space: Studio Pheasant opens Gooder at Alserkal Avenue—an indoor skatepark blending skating with food, retail, and flexible community event spaces. Regional Disaster Resilience: Delegates from 11 nations, including the UAE, meet in Puri for BRICS DRR talks focused on early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and anticipatory response.

Textile Circularity Push: The UAE has launched “Naseej,” a national textile circular economy initiative aimed at cutting textile waste estimated at about 220,000 tonnes a year by coordinating policy, collection and recycling, research, and public engagement across the textile value chain. Blue Carbon & Wildlife: A new study highlights Bahrain’s dugongs (“sea cows”) and seagrass beds as key to biodiversity and carbon capture, warning that rising human activity could alter habitats and push dugongs to move. Clean Power Deal: Masdar and EDF power solutions secured 15-year power purchase agreements for California’s BigBeau 128MW solar plant plus 40MW/160MWh storage, supporting utility-scale clean energy delivery. Local Environment-Friendly Shopping: UAE secondhand and preloved fashion is going mainstream as shoppers seek quality and lower environmental impact, with fashion emissions and fast-fashion concerns driving demand. Dubai SME Export Boost: DWTC Free Zone teamed up with DHL Express UAE to help SMEs scale globally via training and cross-border trade support. UAE Education Funding: Dubai Islamic Bank renewed support for the “Dubai Schools” project with AED11m for 2026-2027, backing access to future-ready education.

UAE Environment & Public Health: The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) recalled two “Goodbye All Insects” insecticide products after finding marketing and ingredient violations, including a prohibited substance, urging residents to stop using and avoid buying or distributing them. UAE Climate & Resilience: BRICS DRR planning is underway in Odisha’s Puri, with 11 countries including the UAE set to meet June 3–5 to focus on disaster risk reduction financing and resilient infrastructure. Clean Energy & Infrastructure: DEWA and Etihad Rail discussed collaboration, highlighting how solar, smart grids and AI-enabled infrastructure can power and integrate low-carbon transport corridors. Sustainable Urban Living: Abu Dhabi launched free-flow paid parking that auto-deducts fees via the Darb app, reducing manual steps and supporting sustainability goals. Regional Energy Security: With the Strait of Hormuz still effectively constrained, oil markets show a gap between headline prices and real shipping conditions—an ongoing risk for the Gulf’s energy supply. Circular Economy Push: UAE’s “Naseej” initiative aims to cut textile waste and move the sector toward circularity. AI & Water-Saving Cooling: MGX’s expanded Campus AI in France targets up to 3GW of compute, using water-free cooling to address data-centre environmental concerns.

Textile Circularity Push: The UAE has launched “Naseej,” a national initiative to tackle about 220,000 tonnes of textile waste each year by coordinating policy, recycling, awareness and circular business across the textile value chain. Health Regulation: The Emirates Drug Establishment approved oral Wegovy (semaglutide) for long-term weight management in adults with obesity or weight-related conditions, marking the UAE as the second country globally to authorize the oral form. Clean Infrastructure Collaboration: DEWA and Etihad Rail explored cooperation to build low-carbon, integrated infrastructure, linking clean power expertise with rail logistics and net-zero goals. Water Stewardship Tech: Electro Scan joined the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), aiming for measurable, auditable water replenishment solutions for water-neutral growth. Disaster Resilience Talks: BRICS DRR delegates from 11 countries, including the UAE, will meet in Puri (June 3–5) to focus on resilient infrastructure, anticipatory response and DRR financing. Language & Service Standards: Dubai issued a law creating a Community Development Authority to strengthen social services and protect vulnerable groups, while the UAE is also drafting its first Arabic-language law for customer-facing roles and conference translations.

UAE Fuel Watch: The UAE Fuel Price Committee set June 2026 prices, with diesel at AED4.33 per litre and petrol grades adjusted slightly, aiming to keep logistics and supply chains stable. Dubai Digital Mobility: Dubai’s RTA says digital channels brought in AED5.3bn revenue in 2025 (+20.6%), with 628m+ transactions and 96% digital adoption as it pushes AI-led service delivery. UAE–Ethiopia Trade Push: Dubai Chambers held meetings in Addis Ababa with Ethiopia’s industry ministry, investment commission and sovereign fund to expand industrial cooperation, private partnerships and joint investment. UAE–Nigeria Business Links: Nigeria’s non-oil trade with the UAE hit $5bn in 2025 (up from $4.3bn), as CEPA implementation, a First Abu Dhabi Bank opening in Lagos and Etihad’s Abuja plans move ahead. Renewables Spotlight: IRENA highlights the UAE’s renewables and storage scale-up as a model for resilience, pointing to projects like Al Dhafra. Blue Economy & Culture: Abu Dhabi’s ADNEC Centre won five Eventex awards, including “World’s Best Sustainable Venue,” while Sharjah Book Authority reviewed its digital transformation and global publishing expansion.

Desert Farming Breakthrough: An Emirati farmer in Al Ain has turned a desert plot into a productive orchard by grafting high-quality non-native fruit varieties onto local, heat-tolerant trees and using worm castings plus farm-waste recycling to cut inputs and boost sustainability. Tree-Tracking Push: Abu Dhabi is tagging and digitally recording 100,000 native trees, starting with Ghaf, Samar and Sidr, to better protect, monitor and count them across forests, farms, parks and urban areas. Water Security Diplomacy: The UAE is spotlighting global water security through the Mohamed Bin Zayed Water Initiative, using innovation and international cooperation to tackle safe-water gaps worsened by climate change. Food Security Warning: FAO warns that Strait of Hormuz disruptions could trigger a deeper global food security crisis in 2026–2027 by raising fertilizer and seed costs and disrupting agrifood supply chains. Blue Economy Focus: Abu Dhabi is also advancing ocean investment and blue-economy priorities, while Dubai and partners push regional trade links that can support sustainable development.