The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an intergovernmental organisation that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future. The Agency serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource and financial knowledge on renewable energy. IRENA promotes the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy, including bioenergy, hydropower, geothermal, ocean, solar and wind energy, in the pursuit of sustainable development, energy access, energy security and low-carbon economic growth.

With a mandate from countries around the world, the Agency encourages governments to adopt enabling policies for renewable energy investments, provides practical tools and policy advice to accelerate renewable energy deployment, and facilitates knowledge sharing and technology transfer to provide clean, sustainable energy to the world’s growing population.

Environmental action in the UAE has witnessed significant developments at the institutional level over the past four decades, starting with the Supreme Committee for Environment in 1975, followed by the Federal Environment Agency in 1993, and then the Ministry of Environment and Water in 2006. These developments reflect the growing interest in environmental issues, as well as increasing awareness of the importance of the environment for the overall progress of the country.

In 2016, the UAE leadership expanded the role of the Ministry of Environment and Water to include the management of all affairs related to climate change in the UAE and abroad. The establishment of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) is an important milestone. With this move, the UAE stepped up its endeavours to address climate change through the implementation of comprehensive policies and initiatives aimed at climate change mitigation and adaption as well as protecting its unique ecosystems.

In partnership with entities from the public and private sector, MOCCAE directs national efforts to achieve sustainable development and consolidate the UAE’s position as a global leader of climate action. The Ministry follows the guiding principles established by the wise UAE leadership and builds on its achievements over the previous years.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) serves as a bridge that connects the leadership and people of the UAE to the wider world. The Ministry aims to strengthen the UAE’s friendships and synergies with stakeholders within and outside the country. As part of its mandate, MoFAIC sets and executes the country’s foreign policy, supervises foreign relations, protects the interests of the UAE and its citizens abroad, and promotes the reputation of the country and its values.

The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure was established at the same time the United Arab Emirates was founded in 1971, as part of the first Ministerial formation.

Later, in 2004 the Ministry of Electricity and Water was merged with the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources to form the Ministry of Energy.

Then, in 2016 the electricity and water portfolios were transferred to the Ministry of Industry to streamline water security targets with overall federal industrial plans. And following the Ministerial amendment of 2017, the industry portfolio was also transferred to the Ministry of Infrastructure, giving rise to the Ministry of Energy and Industry. In 2020, it became the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure

The alignment of the portfolios has since ensured the organization, policy recommendations and future strategy development to propel the UAE’s advancement of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.

In contributing to the UAE’s Vision 2021, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure highlights the pivotal role The United Arab Emirates plays on the global energy and industry stage by proposing and developing policies, legislations and strategies in coordination with relevant authorities to achieve the security, sustainability and competitiveness of the energy, industry, water and mining sectors while crucially reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure supports and coordinates efforts to launch innovative and forward-looking initiatives. It successfully set-up the first National Energy Strategy 2050 at a regional level, which has since been applied through the first Future Laboratory at the state level. It has also launched the Water Security Strategy 2036 for the United Arab Emirates, and the National Strategy for Innovation in the water sector.