Suhail Al Mazrouei Affirms UAE's Readiness To Cooperate With BRICS Countries In Driving Sustainable Transport

Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, attended the BRICS Ministers of Transport Meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia. The event aimed to enhance international cooperation and share experiences in the transport sector. Al Mazrouei highlighted the UAE's readiness to collaborate with BRICS nations to improve connectivity, diversify logistics supply chains, and develop efficient international transport routes.

In his address, Al Mazrouei emphasised the significance of multimodal transport as a driver of socio-economic prosperity. He stated, "With proper transport infrastructure and cost-effective international transport routes, we can see a substantial increase in trade flow and cross-border movement of people."

Al Mazrouei also discussed the UAE's shift towards smart mobility and urban public transport development. By 2031, the UAE aims to increase environmentally sustainable transportation methods to 30 percent of all trips. Additionally, autonomous vehicles are expected to account for 15 percent of local trips, while public and shared transportation should represent 25 percent of all trips. Public transportation user satisfaction is targeted to reach 96 percent.

The maritime sector is a key economic driver for the UAE, contributing over $34 billion to the GDP. This sector supports more than 27,000 national and international companies and a fleet of over 863 national ships. The UAE ranks third globally as a supplier of fuel to ships, eighth in container handling efficiency, and ninth in seaport service efficiency.

Land transport contributes nearly $4 billion to the UAE's GDP. The country has invested over $6 billion in road infrastructure, ranking fifth globally and first among Arab countries in road quality according to the World Economic Forum. The Etihad railway, extending 1,200 km across the UAE, plays a crucial role in supporting land freight and passenger movement.

Green Mobility Initiatives

Al Mazrouei underscored the importance of green mobility in reducing CO2 emissions from the transport sector. The UAE aims to promote electric vehicles (EVs) as a sustainable transport option. By 2050, electric and hybrid vehicles are expected to make up 50 percent of all vehicles on UAE roads. As of 2023, EVs account for approximately 3 percent of all vehicles with over 800 chargers available across the Emirates.

BRICS Declaration

The meeting concluded with a declaration highlighting the role of transport in driving economic growth, facilitating trade and investment, and maintaining resilient supply chains. The declaration also recognised the importance of innovative technologies and regulations in enhancing transportation efficiency and promoting an inclusive and sustainable economy.

Panel Sessions and Bilateral Meetings

On the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Al Mazrouei participated in a panel session titled ‘The Future of Oil and Gas Market’ alongside Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.

Al Mazrouei also held bilateral meetings with Roman Starovoit, Russian Minister of Transport, and Kamel al-Wazir, Egyptian Transport Minister. These discussions focused on enhancing collaboration in the transport sector between their respective countries.

With inputs from WAM