Abu dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) hosted the third edition of the Water and Energy Majlis under the theme 'From National Readiness to Smart Resilience'. The event marked the official launch of the Abu Dhabi Water and Energy Resilience Framework, a pivotal initiative by the Department of Energy.
According to Emirates News Agency, the newly introduced framework was the centerpiece of a high-level discussion involving Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and Dr. Abdulla Ahmed Al Mandous, President of the World Meteorological Organisation and Director-General of the National Centre of Meteorology. The talks, moderated by Dr. Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, gathered national leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to discuss strengthening the framework's strategic objectives.
The framework is organized around three key pillars: infrastructure, human capital and governance, and technology and innovation. It outlines 15 strategic measures aimed at enhancing the resilience, reliability, and efficiency of the national water and energy system. These measures include supply security, emergency preparedness, and capacity planning, among others.
The Majlis forms part of the 'Our Foundation is Strong' campaign by the Department, attended by ministers and senior officials from over 30 countries, as well as representatives from public and private sectors. Discussions centered on regional developments and national efforts to fortify water and energy systems' resilience, exploring opportunities for strategic coordination and crisis response.
Dr. Al Jarwan highlighted the importance of national and regional cooperation, emphasizing the need for a shared regulatory foundation built on smart resilience and system integration. He noted the critical role of the water and energy sectors in national security and urged for efficient and responsible resource management.
Dr. Al Dahak spoke on the UAE's approach to water, energy, and food security as interconnected systems. She outlined the UAE's strategies to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, focusing on sustainable desalination and international cooperation in addressing water scarcity.
Dr. Al Mandous emphasized the significance of precise atmospheric monitoring for water and energy security, detailing the UAE's advancements in meteorological observation and early warning systems. He stressed the importance of global data sharing and the UAE's contributions to international water and energy policy integration.
The Majlis sessions explored sector leaders' shared responsibilities, crisis preparedness, regulatory standards, and the role of technology and AI in emergencies. The discussions highlighted the need for specialized task forces to enhance operational resilience, supply security, and service reliability.