Launching the national initiative “Naseej” to transform the textile sector into a circular economic system that consolidates sustainable development

In implementation of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, the National Textile Recycling Initiative “Naseej” was launched as a strategic direction that contributes to supporting the transition of the textile sector to a circular economic system characterized by sustainability and promoting the preservation of resources.

The launch of “Naseej” comes with the support and follow-up of the National Projects Office, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, the Emirates Foundation, and the Tadweer Group, to serve as a unified national platform that redefines the concept of dealing with textile waste and transforms it from a consumer model into economic opportunities based on appreciating the value of textiles and reusing them in sustainable ways.

Naseej takes its initiatives and projects from the national heritage and ancient traditions of the country, because textiles have an important place and a pivotal role in the process of the national economy and the lives of individuals. The initiative also aims to support national efforts towards enhancing environmental sustainability and raising the efficiency of resource use and recycling.

Her Highness Sheikha Maryam bint Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office for National Projects Affairs, said: “The Naseej initiative comes as a confirmation of the UAE’s firm commitment to sustainability as a shared responsibility, and an embodiment of a national vision based on transforming challenges into opportunities with a long-term impact. From this standpoint, the initiative will activate society’s contribution by focusing on changing behaviors, adopting more conscious and responsible patterns in dealing with resources, and enhancing the participation of its individuals to volunteer in building an integrated system that redefines “The value of textiles in our daily lives also paves the way for a flexible and comprehensive development path that enhances our readiness for the future, and whose impact extends to future generations.”

For his part, His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Office for Development Affairs and Families of Martyrs, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Foundation, said: “The Naseej initiative represents an important step towards consolidating the concept of the circular economy within the sustainable development model in the country. The initiative also embodies the vision of our wise leadership for long-term development led by innovation, and brings together under its umbrella various institutions, the industrial sector, youth and society, to collectively rethink how to value and conserve resources.” and its sustainability.”

The initiative was designed based on a group of studies that showed an increase in the challenges associated with textile waste in the UAE, as its volume reached about 220 thousand tons annually. The Naseej initiative also aims to contribute to building a future in which resources are managed efficiently and their potential is invested in a sustainable manner, which embodies the country’s commitment to environmental responsibility and establishing a culture of conscious consumption that is consistent with the principles of the circular economy.

For his part, His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, said: “The UAE, under the guidance of its wise leadership, attaches great importance to developing an integrated and advanced system for the circular economy in accordance with the best international practices. In this context, we will work, through the “Naseej” initiative, to establish a national framework that contributes to developing policies and coordinating work on targeted programs by focusing on the industrial and private sectors, entrepreneurs and community participation, within a common vision for the circular economy, as we aspire to through Partnerships and continued cooperation, to accelerate the transition from voluntary initiatives to organized national action that ensures the widespread application of circular textile solutions in the country, and contributes to achieving the goals of the “UAE Agenda for the Circular Economy 2031.”

The Naseej initiative is based on five strategic pillars: collecting and recycling spent textiles, community awareness, studying behaviors and market trends, policies and legislation, and innovation in circular business.

The process of work on the “Naseej” initiative began during the Conference of the Parties (COP 28), with the support of the National Projects Office of the Presidential Office, during which the strategic foundations of the initiative were laid, which later witnessed the signing of a series of memorandums of understanding with a number of partners in various sectors of the textile industry. These agreements will also work to unify efforts between the fashion sector and institutions, and partners specialized in collection and recycling operations, in addition to knowledge and community institutions, in order to build an integrated framework that enhances the economic cycle of textiles at the global level. State.

In this context, the “Naseej” initiative is preparing to organize its first community event under the title “Weaving of Opportunities” during the period from 5 to 7 June 2026 at Yas Mall in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The event will expand to include other regions in the country during the next phase, with the aim of providing an interactive experience that encourages individuals to reflect on the impact of textile waste, explore sustainable solutions, and participate in shaping a safe future.

The next phase will witness the implementation of a series of programs that support sustainable production, enhance the infrastructure for mechanisms for collecting, sorting and recycling textiles, in addition to developing research and pilot projects that enable the application of scalable circular solutions.

Through the harmonization of policies, industrial action, and community participation, the “Naseej” initiative aims to strengthen the UAE’s position as a global reference in the field of the circular economy for textiles, through a practical, scalable model that balances economic growth and environmental sustainability.