UAE recently hosted the ninth High-Level Steering Group Meeting for the Emirati-German Energy and Climate Partnership in Abu Dhabi, focusing on collaborative topics and activities for 2025. This important meeting took place during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025 and was co-chaired by Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, alongside Stefan Wenzel, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Action. The session aimed to review the progress made in 2024 and outline plans for the upcoming year.

In conjunction with the meeting, participants celebrated the 9th Emirati-German Energy Day under the theme ‘Enabling Flexibility for Successful Renewable Energy Integration’. Sharif Al Olama remarked that this day symbolizes a strong partnership between the UAE and Germany, which has achieved significant milestones in the energy and climate sectors over the past nine years. He emphasized that this partnership is one of the Ministry’s most notable and active collaborations, showcasing what can be accomplished through effective bilateral cooperation. The focus of this year’s Energy Day was on the critical role of renewable energy and grid systems.

Al Olama also highlighted the UAE’s commitment to the UAE Consensus, which aims to transition away from fossil fuels while ensuring an equitable shift during this vital decade to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. He stated that the UAE is dedicated to tripling renewable energy sources and doubling energy efficiency by 2030, underlining the importance of collaborative efforts towards shared sustainability objectives. Wenzel echoed these sentiments, noting that the Emirati-German Energy and Climate Partnership serves as a prime example of how collaboration can drive the renewable energy transition, foster economic growth, and enhance energy security.

The meeting also delved into the pathways necessary for effectively integrating renewable energy into existing grid systems. Experts discussed the challenges associated with incorporating renewables into power systems and proposed solutions to facilitate a smooth transition towards cleaner energy sources. Established in January 2017 and expanded to address climate issues in October 2022, the Emirati-German Energy and Climate Partnership is a collaboration between the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. This initiative aims to foster dialogue among stakeholders from both the public and private sectors of the two nations.