UAE Highlights Commitment To Sustainable Energy Transition At G20 Ministerial Meeting In South Africa

The UAE, through the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), took part in the G20 Energy Transitions Ministerial Meeting in South Africa. Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at MoEI, led the UAE delegation. Al Olama emphasised the UAE's dedication to supporting the G20 Presidency's priorities for a safe, inclusive, and sustainable energy transition.

Al Olama highlighted the UAE’s commitment to global energy security and advancing clean energy sources for sustainable development. He stated, "Energy security is the foundation of global stability and prosperity. In the UAE, we regard it not just as diversification but as resilience, based on innovation, coordinated planning, and inclusivity."

The UAE has achieved 100 percent electricity access under SDG 7 by investing in smart grids, electrification, and decentralised systems. The country also ranks first globally in access to clean cooking. Al Olama noted that the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant now supplies up to 25 percent of the nation's electricity, showcasing peaceful nuclear technology's role in energy security and emissions reduction.

Al Olama discussed the water-energy nexus as crucial for climate resilience. The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative exemplifies cross-sector innovation essential for securing water and energy futures. He invited partners to join the UN Water Conference in 2026, co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal, to promote collective action.

The UAE supports the G20 High-Level Voluntary Principles for Sustainable Industrialisation Hubs. Al Olama praised the focus on hydrogen as a driver of low-carbon growth. "Our National Hydrogen Strategy 2050 aims to establish the UAE as a top producer and exporter of low-emission hydrogen and ammonia," he said.

The strategy is backed by innovation, strong financing, and resilient supply chains. However, Al Olama stressed that energy transition must be efficient as well as clean. This led to establishing the Global Energy Efficiency Alliance (GEEA), a government-backed coalition focused on turning pledges into progress.

Regional Cooperation for Energy Networks

The UAE plans to support at least 15 countries by 2030 through GEEA. The initiative aims to mobilise US$75 million in efficiency financing and deliver measurable reductions in energy intensity. Efficiency remains a cost-effective tool for accelerating access, reducing emissions, and stimulating growth.

Al Olama expressed strong support for African energy interconnectivity envisioned by the G20 Presidency. He stated that regional cooperation is essential rather than aspirational. Drawing from GCC interconnection experience and initiatives like IMEC, the UAE is committed to sharing expertise and investing in clean infrastructure across Africa.

The meeting underscored how collaboration can drive sustainable development globally. By focusing on innovative solutions like hydrogen strategies and regional cooperation, nations can work towards a more secure energy future.

With inputs from WAM