The Ministry of Economy and Tourism has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Japanese company “Work Studio” to establish a comprehensive framework for circular economy in the UAE, based on global best practices and aligned with the “UAE Circular Economy Agenda 2031.” This agenda serves as a blueprint for achieving sustainable management of natural resources, aimed at reducing carbon emissions and ensuring the sustainability of the national economy.
The agreement was signed in Dubai, in the presence of His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, who is also the chair of the UAE Circular Economy Council. The signing was conducted by Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry, and Kazuhiko Hara, the CEO of the Japanese company.
His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq emphasized that the ministry is committed to continuing its efforts in applying circular economy methodologies across various critical sectors, particularly in food, manufacturing, sustainable transportation, and green infrastructure.
He highlighted the importance of raising awareness about the necessity of conserving natural resources, shifting environmental and financial practices, implementing sustainable production and consumption methods, encouraging investment in natural resources, and utilizing successful economic tools. This aligns with the directives of the leadership to expedite the transition towards a sustainable and competitive circular economy model.
He continued, stating that this partnership represents a strategic move towards expanding cooperation in developing innovative national initiatives and circular policies in the country. These efforts aim to ensure diverse and resilient national economic growth and reinforce the UAE’s leadership in sustainable development and innovation both regionally and globally. This memorandum will also support achieving the objectives of the 2025 Community Year by promoting sustainable practices across vital sectors and contributing to building a cohesive and prosperous sustainable society.
The aim of the memorandum is to launch a project that will develop a comprehensive model for the circular economy in the UAE, relying on the innovative “Banco” system created by Work Studio in Japan. This system specializes in recycling textile and food waste according to international best practices.
This project supports optimal resource utilization while reducing costs through the recycling of textile waste and transforming it into valuable resources. Furthermore, it involves using food sector waste to produce organic fertilizers, thereby contributing to environmental protection.
The adoption of these innovative waste recycling solutions also helps decrease greenhouse gas emissions caused by waste incineration compared to traditional methods of disposing of unused clothing and food. This is aligned with national policies promoting organic waste recycling.
The project plays a crucial role in enhancing resource utilization and cost reduction. It will involve the establishment of recycling facilities in the country, training national workforce, and creating a joint coordinating committee to oversee execution and ensure participation from both public and private sectors.
The new project aims to establish a collaborative ecosystem that connects producers, consumers, and manufacturers, encouraging environmentally friendly production in the UAE. This process will start from waste collection and recycling to innovative processing methods that transform waste into new usable products. It will also facilitate investment and stakeholder engagement from both the public and private sectors to support development and expansion across the Emirates.