Abu Dhabi, UAE. 19 January 2023 – The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) has wrapped up another successful participation in the annual Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW). Under the theme ‘United on Climate Action Toward COP28’, this year’s edition focused on advancing climate efforts ahead of the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), to be hosted in the UAE later this year. 
Throughout the packed week, the ministry sought to highlight the promising investment opportunities in the UAE’s industrial sector in a bid to attract potential local and international investors and boost the growth and competitiveness of national industries, under the umbrella of the Make it in the Emirates campaign.
Circular economy
At ADSW, MoIAT announced that it issued a ministerial decision on regulating the trade of recycled plastic water bottles in line with top public health and food safety standards. The new decision contributes to the UAE’s commitment to preserving resources and supporting the shift to a circular economy, in line with the country’s net-zero ambition.
On a similar note, the ministry oversaw the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Veolia’s subsidiary Repeet, BEEAH Group, and Agthia, to lay the groundwork for a plastic recycling facility in Abu Dhabi. Under the MoU, the three parties will conduct a feasibility study for a 40,000 square meter polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling plant with a capacity of 12,000 tons per annum that is projected to create 100 jobs and avoid the emission of 18,000 metric tons of CO2 annually when at full operating capacity.  
Net zero
To inform to the national net-zero drive, MoIAT, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), and Schneider Electric, presented the findings of a joint nationwide assessment of 46 industrial companies in the UAE operating across sectors such as energy, metals, food and beverage, chemicals, and paper and wood. The exercise measured the maturity of facilities based on their energy consumption rate and evaluated their readiness for and prioritization of energy transformation and sustainability. 
Its findings indicated the surveyed manufacturing facilities are ahead of the average in the smart utilization, monitoring, and management of energy.
Local partnership
MoIAT and Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to boost collaboration in promoting a sustainable economic development and encouraging industrial companies in the emirate to join the UAE Industry 4.0 program and undergo a readiness assessment.
They also agreed to promote industrial investment to transform Ras Al Khaimah into a regional and global industrial hub, as well as facilitate the decarbonization of the industrial sector in the UAE, in line with the objectives of the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative. 
International collaboration
MoIAT and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry signed an MoU to boost collaboration in the field of industry and advanced technology and aims to enhance partnerships between Emirati and Japanese companies as well as explore joint investment opportunities. It also aims to boost collaboration to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies in support of both countries’ industrial goals and carbon reduction targets. 
Bilateral meetings
On the sidelines of ADSW, His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, met with His Excellency Yasutoshi Nishimura, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, to explore ways to further strengthen the UAE-Japan relationship under the umbrella of their comprehensive economic partnership. A key area of the discussion was collaboration in the energy sector, with a focus on hydrogen as a main component of a just energy transition. They jointly highlighted the importance of accelerating progress towards climate neutrality and opportunities for collaboration ahead of COP28.
Meanwhile, His Excellency Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, met with Her Excellency Professor Biljana Šćepanović, Montenegro’s Minister of Science and Technological Development. They touched on potential areas of collaboration between the two countries, particularly in research and development.
Active participation
As part of its participation in ADSW, MoIAT highlighted investment opportunities in the UAE’s renewable energy sector, the advanced legislative framework for emission reduction, its National In-Country Value Program, sustainable financing solutions, and its Technology Transformation Program.
Moreover, MoIAT introduced participants to its regulatory system for solar energy and hydrogen-powered vehicles that is designed to help drive the use of clean energy solutions and support in decarbonizing the transport sector.
MoIAT also took part in various events as part of ADSW activities, including the Youth 4 Sustainability Forum that seeks to prepare and engage youth in the fight against climate change, and the Women in Sustainability, Environment, and Renewable Energy (WiSER) Forum that supports and empowers present and future generations of women sustainability leaders