Suhail Bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), announced the launch of the National Programme for Infrastructure Development (Salamah 365), a transformational project under the performance agreements signed by federal authorities in 2022 in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

Salamah 365 aims to enhance public safety by leveraging innovative solutions and interactive warning systems to rectify identified accident blackspots - specific places where road traffic collisions have historically been concentrated, implement a locally tailored model of pedestrian crossings, predict floods before they happen by monitoring dams and valleys, and implement a safe, smart school model.

In the pilot phase, 16 dams and nine main valleys are monitored.

Al Mazrouei said, “The UAE is a pioneer in adopting ambitious initiatives and projects and issuing regulations that ensure our dams, roads, and buildings are state of the art. Salamah 365 will enhance traffic safety levels by considerably reducing the number of road fatalities and traffic accidents, enhancing the country’s performance in related global indexes.”

He added, “The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure is keen to forge effective synergies with stakeholders from the federal and local government and the private sector to ensure safety criteria is met in our infrastructure, roads, and dams in all conditions.”

For his part, Hassan Mohammed Al Mansouri, Undersecretary for Infrastructure and Transport Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, said that Salamah 365 will improve the quality of life and safety of road users, as well as enhance the safety of school students as it will implement a smart school model.

He added, “The UAE has secured a leading position globally in infrastructure quality. Never one to rest on its laurels, the Ministry will continue to forge ahead to become a successful model for cutting-edge infrastructure and transport. Salamah 365 is an outcome of our joint efforts with our partners, and it will go a long way in strengthening the UAE’s global leadership in the sector.”

In a groundbreaking move that solidifies the UAE’s status as a global leader in sustainability and energy transition, the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) has announced the establishment of the “UAE Maritime Decarbonization centre” last week.

As the first-of-its-kind centre in the Mena region and the fourth globally. This pioneering initiative, developed in collaboration with DNV marks a historic milestone not only for the UAE but also for the entire Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region and sets a new standard for maritime decarbonization efforts worldwide.

The official signing ceremony to commemorate this historic partnership took place at the International Maritime organisation (IMO) headquarters in London, UK. The signing brought together high-level government officials, industry leaders, and international stakeholders to celebrate this momentous occasion.

By leveraging the expertise of DNV and harnessing the UAE’s strategic geographic location and maritime influence, the centre aims to drive research, innovation, and collaboration among key stakeholders to accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices, technologies, and policies in the maritime sector.

Commenting on this partnership, Suhail AlMazrouei, the UAE Minister of Energy said, “The UAE leads numerous global competitiveness indicators in the maritime sector. It ranks 3rd globally in the Bunker Supply Index, 5th as a key competitive maritime hub and 12th in the transport lines index. This is a result of the competitive business environment the UAE provides, which attracts major international maritime companies and makes the country’s ports a preferred destination for international shipping lines. However, we will not rest on our laurels; we want to occupy the top position in all international maritime indicators. We look forward to innovations and digital platforms to contribute to enhancing the UAE’s position and improving its global ranking.”

Al Mazrouei added, “The establishment of the UAE Maritime Decarbonization centre reflects our unwavering commitment to addressing climate change and promoting sustainable practices within the maritime industry. By collaborating with DNV, we aim to leverage their expertise and global network to drive innovation and accelerate the adoption of decarbonization technologies. This centre will play a pivotal role in advancing our national and regional sustainability goals, while contributing to the global efforts in combating climate change.”

The establishment of the UAE Maritime Decarbonization centre is a testament to the UAE’s unwavering dedication to achieving its ambitious sustainability goals outlined in the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy. By spearheading the maritime decarbonization efforts, the UAE aims to drive greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions that exceed global ambitions, positioning itself as a leading force in the global fight against climate change.