By Abbas Nazil
In a major step toward integrating artificial intelligence into national climate and environmental strategies, the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE) has entered into a partnership with IBM to advance AI-driven sustainability projects.
The agreement, signed during GITEX Global 2025 in Dubai, aims to align with the Ministry’s digital transformation goals and national initiatives such as the Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme, the UAE Centennial 2071, and We the UAE 2031.
Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, attended the signing ceremony, where the Ministry was represented by Eng. Amal Abdulrahim, Assistant Undersecretary for Support Services and Chief AI and Innovation Officer, while IBM was represented by Mr. Shukri Eid, General Manager for the Gulf, Levant, and Pakistan.
According to Eng. Abdulrahim, the partnership underscores the UAE’s vision to harness innovation for a sustainable future.
She emphasized that the collaboration with IBM will enable the government to proactively tackle environmental challenges, strengthen food and water security, and accelerate progress toward Net Zero 2050.
IBM’s Shukri Eid noted that the initiative demonstrates a shared commitment to developing scalable AI solutions that can serve as a global model for sustainability and resilience.
Under the agreement, both parties will co-develop AI prototypes and case studies to improve environmental governance, streamline operations, and enhance sustainability programs.
Key projects include an AI-based system for verifying CITES and Phytosanitary certificates, designed to automate data validation and enhance customer satisfaction under the Zero Government Bureaucracy initiative.
The cooperation will also explore the use of mobile technology and cameras to monitor fisheries and prevent overexploitation, ensuring marine sustainability through real-time data collection.
AI-driven quarantine systems will be developed to speed up import procedures for agricultural and veterinary consignments while ensuring biosecurity and early detection of biological risks.
Another major focus is the creation of a national digital platform for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting to enhance transparency, accountability, and data-driven climate policy implementation.
To build local capacity, the partnership also includes specialized training programs for MoCCAE employees to strengthen their digital and AI skills, supporting the Ministry’s long-term transformation and sustainability objectives.
