UAE: Innovative policies that consolidate the paths of the new and circular economy
Abu Dhabi, December 21 / WAM / The United Arab Emirates continues to promote the path of the new economy as a pivotal pillar for sustainable economic growth, based on innovation, advanced technology, and the knowledge economy, which contributes to diversifying the economic base and raising levels of competitiveness in various sectors, including artificial intelligence, financial technology, the green economy, and advanced industries.
The new economy embodies the UAE’s clear national vision, which aims to build a flexible and diversified economy led by innovation and based on national competencies and attracting qualitative investments, supported by a package of government policies and initiatives, flexible legislation, and advanced infrastructure. This system contributes to consolidating the country’s position as a global center for business and innovation, and enhancing its readiness for the changes in the global economy and the requirements of the future.
22 circular economy policies were adopted and implemented in several areas, which included measures to improve waste management and promote recycling in the country, starting with implementing extended producer responsibility, developing a system for separating waste from the source in the residential, commercial and institutional sectors, creating a national database for materials and waste, in addition to regulating the flow of resources between the emirates to support investments in recycling facilities and preventing the leakage of plastic and recyclable materials.
His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, confirmed that the UAE is witnessing a new phase in which it is moving from the knowledge and innovation economy model to the new economy model, explaining that this trend is today’s road map towards the economy of the future, and it is one of the four main determinants set by the UAE government within the “We are the Emirates 2031” vision, to be the global center of the new economy by the next decade.
He pointed out to the Emirates News Agency, WAM, the role of the Ministry’s initiatives, partnerships and projects in enabling and thriving new economy sectors that include advanced technology, artificial intelligence, digital economy, e-commerce, renewable energy, circular economy, green technologies, media, digital arts, financial technology and smart transportation, which contributed to the number of companies and commercial licenses operating in the new economy sectors reaching 56,000 licenses by the end of the first half of 2025.
He explained that there was cooperation with partners in the government and private sectors to develop proactive legislation and policies to accelerate the country’s transformation into a global center for the new economy sectors, as 10 policies and legislation were issued and updated in these vital sectors, the most prominent of which are: the Trade Law through modern technological means, the Law regulating and protecting industrial property rights, the Copyright and Related Rights Law, and the Commercial Transactions Law.
Regarding the latest developments in the national policy for economic clusters, which constitute a major driver for enhancing the contribution of the new economy to the country’s gross domestic product, His Excellency stressed their current work in cooperation with the ministry’s partners to develop the food economic cluster, which combines agricultural production, food industries, and modern agricultural technology in one system based on cooperation and integration.
In this context, he said that this gathering aims to increase the contribution of the food sector and all its activities to the state’s domestic product, and to enhance the level of competitiveness and empowerment of private sector companies operating in this vital sector, especially as it is witnessing increasing growth, stressing that the number of national and foreign trademarks registered and operating in this field reached 40,486 trademarks by the end of the first half of the year 2025.
His Excellency pointed out that the Emirates Circular Economy Council is currently working on the second package of policies to enhance the country’s transition towards the circular economy model, explaining that these policies aim to develop a national road map for green infrastructure, encourage circular management of water in industries, national guidelines for the design of multi-material products, develop reverse logistics and supply chains, and support projects that have a significant impact on reducing waste, in addition to empowering small and medium-sized companies working in the field of the circular economy, in line with the objectives of the “UAE Circular Economy Agenda 2031.”
It is worth noting that the policies emanating from the Council include policies to reduce food loss and waste, promote sustainable management of agricultural resources, expand the use of recycled content in consumer goods, regulate the life cycle of tires and biodiesel, in addition to developing the infrastructure for electric vehicles, unifying charging systems, supporting sustainable air fuel, and improving the organization of operational leasing and management of waste oils.
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