The UAE participated in a meeting of energy ministers from the BRICS nations, held yesterday in Brazil’s capital, Brasília, under Brazil’s presidency. The aim was to foster collaborative efforts among member states to support the transition, sustainability, and security of the energy sector.
The UAE delegation was led by His Excellency Sharf Al Olama, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure for Energy and Petroleum Affairs. In his address to fellow member countries and BRICS partners, he stated, “We are at a pivotal moment in the global energy transition, confronting two major challenges: ensuring safe and affordable energy access for all while significantly reducing emissions to meet climate goals. For the UAE, this challenge is not a dilemma, but rather an opportunity to lead the transition through innovation, collaboration, and decisive action.”
He further emphasized that the UAE has achieved a national milestone in energy provision, with a 100% achievement in electricity access, clean cooking solutions, and affordable heating and cooling services. The country also ranks high in global energy access and cost metrics.
He continued, “Recognizing that these achievements must be replicated globally, we are investing in renewable energy projects in more than 70 countries, particularly in Africa, the Caribbean, and small island developing states. We are committed to global energy security and supporting the sustainability of the sector, in addition to sharing our expertise in energy financing, public-private partnerships, and technology applications to ensure equitable energy access worldwide.”
He called on BRICS nations and partners to join the “Global Energy Efficiency Alliance,” initiated by the UAE, which aims for a substantial improvement in energy consumption efficiency across various sectors, including buildings, transport, and industry, targeting a doubling of energy efficiency rates annually by 2030. This aligns with the historic “UAE Agreement” announced during COP28, and the alliance also seeks to enhance knowledge exchange and build collective capacities. He affirmed that BRICS countries can play a vital role in accelerating global energy provision and collectively reducing emissions.
His Excellency reiterated that the UAE, under the wise guidance of its leadership, is eager to strengthen collaboration with BRICS countries and explore new avenues for partnership in energy, energy efficiency, and emissions reduction technologies, thereby contributing to economic growth and facilitating knowledge exchange while solidifying the country’s position as a global leader in this domain, in line with the objectives of “We are the UAE 2031” vision.
He noted that the UAE is connected to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries through the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority, enhancing regional grid stability and energy security. The country continues to pursue bilateral and multilateral partnerships to deepen regional and international integration in the energy sector.
Additionally, the meeting included a presentation by the Brazilian presidency regarding the research cooperation platform for BRICS nations, which focused on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy, particularly for underserved communities. The roadmap for energy cooperation for the period 2025-2030 was also reviewed, offering a strategic vision to enhance collaboration in clean energy, sustainable fuels, grid connectivity, and innovation.