UAE, Germany’s Baden-Württemberg forge green partnership for sustainable industry growth

The UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) and Germany’s state of Baden-Württemberg signed a partnership agreement at the Munich Security Conference.

The agreement aims to boost sustainable industrial development and tackle climate change.

Sustainable industry growth

Leaders from both sides, including Dr Sultan Al Jaber from MoIAT and ministers from Baden-Württemberg, joined the signing.

Dr Al Jaber highlighted UAE’s efforts in global climate action and the launch of the Industrial Decarbonisation Roadmap at COP28. The roadmap aims to cut emissions by upto 93 per cent by 2050 using solutions like carbon capture and clean energy.

Dr Al Jaber said, “The UAE actively seeks to collaborate with international partners on projects that not only support sustainable industrial development but also contribute to global climate action.

He added, “Building on these milestone initiatives at COP28, this latest partnership supports the objectives of Operation 300bn and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative. The JDI will focus on identifying projects in the areas of sustainable industrial development, supporting technology solutions, and joint investments which will contribute to the supply chain resilience of both countries.”

The partnership supports UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 initiatives. It will focus on projects in sustainable industry, technology, and joint investments.

Path to a green future

Dr Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut emphasised the importance of establishing an efficient hydrogen economy for Baden-Württemberg’s industries.

The partnership aims to create opportunities for collaboration, including in the production of green hydrogen.

Dr Hoffmeister-Kraut said, “In order to future-proof Baden-Württemberg as a globalised business and technology location with a strong automotive and supplier industry and a focus on mechanical and plant engineering, it is essential that we establish an efficient hydrogen economy.

Thekla Walker, Baden-Württemberg’s minister of Environment, Climate Protection, and Energy stressed hydrogen’s role in a climate-neutral industrial society. The partnership aims to establish a common market for green hydrogen, leveraging UAE’s solar energy and Baden-Württemberg’s expertise. “Hydrogen is the fuel for a climate-neutral industrial society. Together with strategic partners, we want to create a common market for green hydrogen.

The UAE has the best conditions for producing green hydrogen with solar energy. On the other hand, Baden-Württemberg is home to many companies and power plants that can produce climate-neutral hydrogen.”

The agreement also involves cooperation between public and private sectors in both regions to promote bilateral relations and green industrial investments.

Key areas of collaboration include AI, smart manufacturing, smart health, and aerospace. The partnership aligns with UAE’s national industrial strategy and climate goals.

It will also focus on capacity building and skill development through joint research and internships in priority projects.

UAE-Germany trade

The joint declaration builds on the strong trade partnership between the UAE and Germany.

As per data provided by the UAE’s Ministry of Economy, Germany is the UAE’s second largest EU trade partner with a share of 20 per cent, and first in terms of imports, third in terms of non-oil exports, and also third in re-exports. At the same time, the UAE accounts for more than 20 per cent of Germany’s trade with the Arab countries, and it is Germany’s first Arab trade partner.

The volume of non-oil trade exchange between the UAE and Germany amounted to nearly $9.6bn in 2022. The share of UAE exports in these exchanges is approximately $340m.

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