Key Impact Points:
- UAE and EU aim to expand investments in clean energy, infrastructure, and water sustainability.
- High-level discussions aligned actions ahead of key global sustainability events, including the UN Ocean Conference.
- UAE actively engages in EU’s consultative review on water resilience strategies, linking outcomes with global climate commitments.
Deepening Strategic Partnership
Abdulla Ahmed Balalaa, UAE’s Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, completed a strategic two-day visit to Brussels from March 6-7, aimed at enhancing UAE-EU cooperation on sustainability initiatives.
Balalaa emphasized the value of the visit, stating, “discussions in Brussels were instrumental in driving forward the climate adaptation and energy related commitments made at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), which was held in Dubai in 2023.”
Water Resilience and Climate Action
During his visit, Balalaa engaged in the EU’s consultative review process on water resilience strategy, aligning closely with the EU’s environmental and sustainability goals. He highlighted the significance of the recent organizational session of the 2026 UN Water Conference (UNWC26) in New York and urged for joint initiatives leading to robust global water strategies.
Exploring Investment Opportunities
Meetings with high-ranking EU officials focused on potential expansions in clean energy investments, infrastructure, and water sustainability projects. Balalaa engaged in extensive discussions with representatives including:
- Florika Fink-Hooijer, Director-General of Environment
- Ditte Juul-Jørgensen, Director-General for Energy
- Kurt Vandenberghe, Director-General Climate Action
- Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
- Officials from the European External Action Service (EEAS)
The timing of Balalaa’s visit, coinciding with EU Ocean Days, underscores a shared commitment to ocean health, highlighting UAE’s intent to ensure alignment ahead of future international climate and environmental events.
Advancing COP28 Commitments
The UAE reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral collaboration, emphasizing that these dialogues in Brussels would “ensure strong alignment with the EU ahead of the UN Ocean Conference.”
Balalaa further underscored UAE’s dedication, stating the Brussels meetings were “instrumental in driving forward the climate adaptation and energy related commitments made at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), held in Dubai in 2023.”
