The Ministry of Economy in the UAE has unveiled a new roadmap for “Green Intellectual Property (IP)” aimed at enhancing innovation, accelerating technology localization, and fostering new projects within the realms of the new economy, environmental sustainability, and the circular economy. This initiative is set to take place over a three-month period and is designed to improve the competitiveness of the UAE’s IP landscape, while also contributing to the nation’s transition towards a circular economy.

Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy and Chairman of the UAE Circular Economy Council, emphasized the significance of this roadmap. He stated that the UAE has effectively implemented forward-looking initiatives in the intellectual property sector, which serve as a cornerstone for building a strong and sustainable national economy. Al Marri underscored that the roadmap will enhance awareness of the importance of integrating green technology and innovation, thereby improving the UAE’s appeal to sustainable and eco-friendly innovations.

Moreover, Al Marri noted that this new roadmap coincides with the launch of the current year’s Innovation Month. He mentioned that collaboration will take place with local environmental stakeholders and the World Intellectual Property Organization to ensure the successful implementation of all objectives outlined in the roadmap. This cooperation aims to create more opportunities for inventors and creators to develop sustainable innovations in critical economic sectors.

During a media briefing at the Ministry of Economy’s Dubai headquarters, Abdulla Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, highlighted the deep-rooted significance of sustainability and environmental conservation in the UAE’s cultural heritage. He pointed out that the nation’s growth has been founded on sustainable principles, which have bolstered its regional and global leadership in promoting eco-friendly initiatives.

Al Saleh articulated that the Ministry of Economy is dedicated to supporting national projects that enhance sustainability across various economic sectors, aligning with the UAE’s vision for a sustainable and balanced economy that safeguards natural resources for future generations. He explained that the roadmap for Green IP focuses on encouraging the adoption of advanced digital solutions and technologies among individuals, organizations, and companies, aimed at producing sustainable products and services that aid in environmental conservation.

The Undersecretary further elaborated that this initiative is crucial for fostering innovation and creativity within sustainable sectors, which will enhance the UAE’s competitiveness. He pointed to the nation’s consistent high ranking in global indicators, particularly in the Global Innovation Index (GII), where the UAE has maintained its prominent position both regionally and internationally over the years.

Al Saleh also outlined key objectives of the roadmap, including the launch of a program to expedite the registration of patents related to sustainable technologies and eco-friendly innovations. The goal is to increase the percentage of patent registrations for sustainable innovations to eight percent of the total patent registrations in the UAE. Additionally, the roadmap aims to strengthen the legal frameworks governing patents related to environmental sustainability, especially in light of the increase in patent applications, which totaled approximately 3,622 in 2024.

He concluded by highlighting the UAE’s achievements in developing a robust legislative framework that supports this vital sector, including laws on the Protection of Industrial Property Rights, Trademarks, and Copyrights and Neighboring Rights. The UAE currently ranks first in the region and among the top countries globally in terms of intellectual property and innovation, according to the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2024.