Shanghai: The United Arab Emirates, represented by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, participated in the 5th North Bund Forum, a global platform for collaboration in the green shipping sector. The event, held in Shanghai, China, gathered maritime ministers and industry leaders from across the globe.
According to Emirates News Agency, Hessa Al Malek, Advisor to the Minister for Maritime Transport Affairs at the MoEI, delivered the UAE’s address at the forum. Al Malek emphasized the strong strategic relations between the United Arab Emirates and the People’s Republic of China, highlighting that the volume of non-oil trade between the two nations surpassed US$90 billion in 2024. She underscored aspirations to double this trade figure to US$200 billion by 2030, with growing cooperation in sectors such as energy and logistics.
Al Malek highlighted the UAE’s role as the largest incubator for Chinese businesses in the Arab world, with over 16,500 commercial licenses owned by Chinese nationals. She noted t
he UAE’s significance as China’s largest partner in non-oil commodities within the Arab region, with Chinese goods being re-exported through UAE ports to over 400 cities in the Middle East and North Africa.
In her speech, Al Malek addressed the inevitable shift towards a greener shipping industry, advocating for rational and practical steps through incentives and enablers before implementing radical measures. She referenced the UAE’s recent hosting of the 2025 World Maritime Day Parallel Event, which focused on critical maritime issues like decarbonisation and marine biodiversity protection.
Al Malek concluded by affirming that the future belongs to nations that collaborate on common goals. She called for unified international efforts to advance the transition to a green maritime sector that supports economic prosperity and sustainability in maritime communities worldwide.