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UAE Builds First Green Hydrogen Plant

UAE Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei and Israeli Energy Minister Karine el-Harrar signed the MoU (WAM)
UAE Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei and Israeli Energy Minister Karine el-Harrar signed the MoU (WAM)
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UAE Builds First Green Hydrogen Plant

UAE Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei and Israeli Energy Minister Karine el-Harrar signed the MoU (WAM)
UAE Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei and Israeli Energy Minister Karine el-Harrar signed the MoU (WAM)

The United Arab Emirates has started building the "first green hydrogen plant in the Middle East," and testing is underway, announced Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei.

UAE aims to capture 25 percent of the global hydrogen fuel market by 2030. It is implementing more than seven ambitious hydrogen projects, targeting key export markets, including Japan, South Korea, Germany, and India.

Meanwhile, the UAE and Israel signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deepen relations related to the energy sector and to launch a bilateral partnership that supports their goals regarding the future of clean energy.

"The UAE and Israel have both achieved several ambitious goals in all areas, most notably in energy, since the signing of the Abraham Accords Peace Agreement between the two sides over a year ago," Mazrouei said.

During his meeting with Israeli Energy Minister Karine el-Harrar at the Israeli pavilion at Expo 2020, Mazrouei stressed that the accord has helped create promising opportunities for both countries and the region.

"These partnerships will help achieve the transition to renewable energy, as well as draft projects and initiatives that support the Paris Agreement for climate change, which the UAE was among the first to ratify," he said.

The MoU, signed in the presence of many officials from both sides, stipulates the exchange of knowledge and expertise. It also calls for hosting high-level meetings to discuss issues related to energy storage, most notably clean energy, as well as infrastructure cybersecurity, fossil fuels, electricity grids, smart networks, problems of hydrogen and water, and ways of supporting the UAE and Israel's energy strategies.

It promotes investment and trade in energy, energy-related services and equipment, and highlights the strategic importance of developing common global approaches to promoting market access opportunities and the sustainable development of energy resources.

The MoU also affirms the commitment of both parties to sustainable development in implementing energy, science, and technology policies while considering ever-changing economic, social, and environmental considerations, such as climate change.

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FAO Aims for Key Outcomes at COP16 in Saudi Arabia

Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
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FAO Aims for Key Outcomes at COP16 in Saudi Arabia

Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)

Dr. Abdul Hakim Elwaer, Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), stated that the organization will take an active role at COP16, the UN conference on combating desertification, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in early December.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he expressed confidence that the conference—the first of its kind in the Middle East—would produce significant outcomes.

Elwaer’s comments came during a roundtable organized by FAO’s regional office in Cairo, attended by a select group of media representatives. The session focused on FAO’s participation in the upcoming conference and the importance of the Rio Trio —the integrated framework of the three major UN conventions addressing climate change, biodiversity conservation, and desertification.

Fida Haddad, FAO’s Program Officer for Land Rehabilitation and Climate Change, highlighted the interconnectedness of the three conventions and noted that COP16 would place a strong emphasis on land and water rehabilitation and their sustainable management.

Haddad pointed out that approximately 90% of the Middle East is affected by arid conditions. Despite this, local communities and Arab governments have made notable progress in addressing desertification and drought. She also announced that, for the first time, FAO has successfully placed food systems on the COP16 agenda, enabling discussions on how land rehabilitation can enhance food supply chains and systems.

Elwaer underscored FAO’s central role in achieving the second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): eradicating hunger. He emphasized that FAO actively engages in the UN conventions on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification, which collectively contribute to this mission.

FAO’s focus, according to Elwaer, is on transforming food and agricultural systems to become more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable, aiming for better production, nutrition, and livelihoods. He highlighted the organization’s success in integrating these priorities into the agendas of the three conventions and collaborating with host countries on joint initiatives.

He further noted that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of COP16 is particularly significant for the region, which faces pressing challenges such as water scarcity, desertification, and food insecurity. The conference presents an opportunity for Middle Eastern nations to highlight these issues, explore solutions, and ensure their inclusion in global environmental discussions, not only at this event but in future COP sessions, he underlined.

Elwaer emphasized the growing global attention on desertification, as it is now impacting regions previously unaffected, such as southern Europe and parts of Latin America. These areas are witnessing alarming declines in arable land and forests, prompting them to seek lessons from the Arab world, which has developed resilience strategies to combat desertification over centuries.

FAO will have a strong presence at COP16, with two dedicated pavilions—one in the Blue Zone for official delegations and another in the Green Zone to engage civil society and conference participants, he said.

He added that in collaboration with Saudi Arabia and the UN, FAO will lead coordination on Food Day and Governance Day, scheduled for December 5 and 6, respectively. The organization will also participate in other specialized sessions throughout the conference.