UAE Supports Responsible Energy Transition

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan listens to a presentation on ADNOC's new strategy. (WAM)
UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan listens to a presentation on ADNOC's new strategy. (WAM)
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UAE Supports Responsible Energy Transition

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan listens to a presentation on ADNOC's new strategy. (WAM)
UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan listens to a presentation on ADNOC's new strategy. (WAM)

The UAE is committed to remaining a responsible global energy provider and enabling a more sustainable future, announced President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Sheikh Mohammed noted that the UAE would support the efforts to ensure a responsible energy transition by keeping pace with the future and investing in the essential opportunities it provides.

Speaking at the annual meeting of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) Board of Directors, in his capacity as its Chairman, Sheikh Mohammed directed the company to pursue a Net Zero by 2050 ambition to support the country's 2050 Strategic Initiative.

The board also approved ADNOC's strategy to accelerate growth across its value chain to meet rising energy demand and support global energy security responsibly.

As part of the strategy, ADNOC will establish a new Low Carbon Solutions & International Growth vertical focused on new energies, gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and chemicals, reported the state news agency (WAM).

The President stressed the importance of the steps taken by ADNOC to reduce carbon emissions in conjunction with its endeavor to develop and expand its operations to meet the growing global energy demand.

He praised ADNOC's efforts to drive industrial growth through its In-Country Value (ICV) program and its support for the "Make it in the Emirates" initiative.

The ICV program generated $9.54 billion in the nation's economy and enabled 2,000 UAE Nationals to be employed in ADNOC's supply chains.

At the meeting, the board endorsed plans to bring ADNOC's 5 million barrels per day (mmbopd) oil production capacity expansion to 2027, from the previous target of 2030, as part of the accelerated growth strategy.

ADNOC produces some of the world's least carbon-intensive oil, and this new target will provide the company with greater flexibility to meet rising global energy demand.

According to information released, ADNOC's plans to accelerate the implementation of the goal of increasing its production capacity of crude oil based on UAE's robust hydrocarbons reserves, which rose two billion stock tank barrels (STB) of oil and one trillion standard cubic feet (TSCF) of natural gas this year.

The additional reserves increase the UAE's reserves base to 113 billion STB of oil and 290 TSCF of natural gas, reinforcing the country's position in global rankings as the custodian of the sixth-largest oil reserves and the seventh-largest gas reserves.

Within the framework of the updated strategy, ADNOC announced the establishment of ADNOC Gas, a new world-class gas processing and marketing company, which will start operations in early January 2023.

The company will operate, maintain, and market the two ADNOC's gas processing and LNG operations through one integrated company.

The board directed ADNOC to proceed with an initial public offering (IPO) of a minority stake in the new company on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) in 2023, subject to applicable regulatory approvals.

ADNOC's five-year business plan and capital expenditure (CAPEX) of $150 billion for 2023-2027 was approved to enable the accelerated growth strategy.

Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Sultan al-Jaber lauded the vision and support of Sheikh Mohammed, adding that "through our Net Zero by 2050 ambition, we are placing sustainability at the center of our growth."

Jaber explained that the world needs maximum energy, minimum emissions, and all the energy solutions to ensure global energy security.

"ADNOC is committed to making today's energy cleaner while investing in the clean energies of tomorrow to strengthen our position as a reliable and responsible energy provider."



UN Predicts World Economic Growth to Remain at 2.8% in 2025

A vegetable vendor sits beside a bonfire on his handcart on a cold winter evening in New Delhi on January 6, 2025. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)
A vegetable vendor sits beside a bonfire on his handcart on a cold winter evening in New Delhi on January 6, 2025. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)
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UN Predicts World Economic Growth to Remain at 2.8% in 2025

A vegetable vendor sits beside a bonfire on his handcart on a cold winter evening in New Delhi on January 6, 2025. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)
A vegetable vendor sits beside a bonfire on his handcart on a cold winter evening in New Delhi on January 6, 2025. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)

Global economic growth is projected to remain at 2.8% in 2025, unchanged from 2024, held back by the top two economies, the US and China, according to a United Nations report released on Thursday.

The World Economic Situation and Prospects report said that "positive but somewhat slower growth forecasts for China and the United States" will be complemented by modest recoveries in the European Union, Japan, and Britain and robust performance in some large developing economies, notably India and Indonesia.

"Despite continued expansion, the global economy is projected to grow at a slower pace than the 2010–2019 (pre-pandemic) average of 3.2%," according to the report by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

"This subdued performance reflects ongoing structural challenges such as weak investment, slow productivity growth, high debt levels, and demographic pressures," Reuters quoted it as saying.

The report said US growth was expected to moderate from 2.8% last year to 1.9% in 2025 as the labor market softens and consumer spending slows.

It said growth in China was estimated at 4.9% for 2024 and projected to be 4.8% this year with public sector investments and a strong export performance partly offset by subdued consumption growth and lingering property sector weakness.
Europe was expected to recover modestly with growth increasing from 0.9% in 2024 to 1.3% in 2025, "supported by easing inflation and resilient labor markets," the report said.

South Asia is expected to remain the world’s fastest-growing region, with regional GDP projected to expand by 5.7% in 2025 and 6% in 2026, supported by a strong performance by India and economic recoveries in Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the report said.

India, the largest economy in South Asia, is forecast to grow by 6.6% in 2025 and 6.8% in 2026, driven by robust private consumption and investment.
The report said major central banks are likely to further reduce interest rates in 2025 as inflationary pressures ease. Global inflation is projected to decline from 4% in 2024 to 3.4% in 2025, offering some relief to households and businesses.
It calls for bold multilateral action to tackle interconnected crises, including debt, inequality, and climate change.
"Monetary easing alone will not be sufficient to reinvigorate global growth or address widening disparities," the report added.