His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the UAE Circular Economy Council, affirmed that thanks to the wise directives of the leadership, the UAE has been committed to adopting integrated and advanced national strategies and initiatives aimed at enhancing sustainable economic and social development. This aligns with the foundational elements of the circular economy and supports the achievement of the “UAE Circular Economy Agenda 2031” goals.
This statement was made during the second meeting of the UAE Circular Economy Council for 2025, held at the Blue Biofuels facility in Abu Dhabi, under the presidency of His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq. The meeting included the attendance of Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and CEO of the UAE Independent Accelerators for Climate Change, along with council members from both the government and private sectors. During the meeting, proposals for the second batch of circular economy policies in various vital sectors, such as sustainable transport, sustainable infrastructure, and clean industries, were presented.
His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq noted that the circular economy will serve as a central pillar in the new economic model of the country for the next fifty years, which is based on a more diverse and resilient economic structure. In this context, the council will continue to foster collaboration with relevant federal and local government entities as well as the private sector to expedite the development of circular economy policies across four key sectors: manufacturing, food, infrastructure, and transport, ensuring the optimal use of natural and financial resources.
He emphasized the necessity of active participation from the private sector in the national circular economy framework, encouraging it to adopt cleaner production methods and reduce environmental stress while meeting basic needs, ultimately aiming to position the UAE as a leading country in green development.
Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan remarked that the circular economy is not just an environmental commitment but a strategic opportunity for achieving long-term sustainable economic growth. She highlighted the UAE’s belief in its capacity to transform challenges into achievements, continuously empowering entrepreneurs and developing innovative solutions that convert waste into valuable resources. She underscored the importance of ongoing collaboration with partners in both the governmental and private sectors to support policies that drive the circular economy and ensure the sustainability of prosperity and environmental responsibility for future generations.
In detail, the UAE Circular Economy Council discussed the development of new innovative policies and projects, including building economic models that support businesses and companies within this promising sector. The meeting also featured a presentation on the legislative, regulatory frameworks, and national policies established to bolster the nation’s vision for building a sustainable and innovative circular economic model based on best global practices.
The council reviewed incentives and initiatives aimed at encouraging the establishment of projects that enhance resource sustainability and adopt sustainable circular practices across all vital areas, boosting sustainable production and consumption chains. This will help solidify the UAE’s position as a global hub for the circular economy by the next decade.
Future directions for localizing innovation and technology in circular manufacturing were also discussed as essential components in the shift toward a more sustainable and resilient economy. These elements play a significant role in providing advanced solutions for industrial processes, ensuring optimal resource use, minimizing waste, enhancing production efficiency, and reducing the ecological footprint in the industrial sector.
In this context, the council addressed the importance of developing integrated digital platforms for the circular economy, particularly those that support and empower small and medium-sized enterprises and startups working within the various sectors of the circular economy in the country. This initiative aims to assist these businesses in growing and incentivizing them to innovate vital projects that promote sustainability and effective use of natural resources.
The meeting also examined the establishment of a specialized online trading platform for plastic materials, aimed at facilitating safe online transactions for buying and selling plastic products and simplifying recycling processes for plastic waste. This initiative aims at creating a digital ecosystem supporting sustainable growth and accelerating the transition toward a circular economy.
Additionally, the council reviewed a presentation from PepsiCo Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan, highlighting the company’s efforts in using recycled plastic and available opportunities in this field. At the conclusion of the meeting, there was an affirmation of the importance of deepening partnerships at both regional and global levels in the fields of circular economy and climate technology, sharing best practices with experienced international entities, and enhancing the utilization of global momentum surrounding climate change initiatives to help shape state policies for a sustainable national economy.