UAE Circular Economy Council Reviews National Circular Policies Progress and Approves Initiatives to Enhance Sustainability Across Hospitality, Textiles, and Resource Management

>> Bin Touq: The UAE Continues to Develop Its Circular Economy System as a Cornerstone for Advancing Sustainable Economic Growth and Creating New Knowledge- and Innovation-Driven Economic Opportunities.

 The UAE Circular Economy Council convened a meeting, chaired by His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Council, at Atlantis Dubai Resort. Bringing together Council members representing government entities, private sector, academic institutions, and strategic partners, the meeting reviewed the implementation of national policies and initiatives designed to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable and resource-efficient economic model, while exploring new opportunities to scale practical solutions and leverage advanced technologies across key sectors.

This meeting is part of the Council’s ongoing efforts to monitor the implementation of the UAE Circular Economy Agenda 2031, which comprises 22 policies across four key sectors: transport, manufacturing, food, and infrastructure. Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration among relevant stakeholders to develop innovative resource management solutions, enhance resource efficiency, and support the implementation of priority projects that contribute to building a more resilient and competitive economy. These efforts aim to reinforce the UAE’s position as a global hub for the circular economy and sustainable development.

His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri affirmed that, under the guidance of its wise leadership, the UAE continues to strengthen its circular economy system as a key driver of sustainable economic growth and a catalyst for innovation-driven opportunities. This aligns with the UAE’s vision to build a competitive and sustainable economy for future generations.

“The circular economy is a cornerstone of the UAE’s economic development agenda. Through the Council’s ongoing work, we are strengthening collaboration with the private sector to advance policies and initiatives that support the country’s vision of transitioning towards more sustainable and resource-efficient economic models. At the same time, we are focused on strengthening the ability of key sectors to create greater economic value, contribute to GDP growth and further enhance the competitiveness of the national economy,” Bin Touq added.

Strategic Initiatives Under Development in Collaboration with Federal Entities

The Council reviewed progress on the development and implementation of the second package of circular economy policies, alongside a number of strategic initiatives currently being developed in cooperation with federal entities. These are designed to accelerate the transition toward a circular economy, enhance resource efficiency, and embed sustainable production and consumption patterns across the UAE.

The initiatives include promoting sustainable water use in the industrial sector; strengthening supply chains and resource recovery systems; supporting sustainable infrastructure and lifecycle management of assets and transport; enhancing sustainability in government procurement; enabling SMEs to adopt green and circular practices; and developing innovative solutions through partnerships between government entities and the private sector. The Council also reviewed the progress of pilot collection and recycling projects aimed at creating a more integrated national resource management framework that maximises value creation and resource efficiency.

‘Naseej’ Initiative Supports Textile Circularity

The Council was briefed on the latest developments of ‘Naseej’, the UAE’s national textile circularity initiative, including the executive programmes currently under development and supporting frameworks being formulated in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

The meeting reviewed the initiative’s initial impact and its role in developing an integrated national system for the collection, sorting, and recycling of textiles, while enhancing private sector participation in building innovative solutions that support sustainability and stimulate circular economy growth.

Innovative Circular Solutions in Hospitality and Recycling

As host venue, Atlantis Dubai Resort presented its experience in embedding circular economy principles into its operations, highlighting a range of high-impact sustainability initiatives. These included eliminating single-use plastic water bottles, utilizing AI technologies to reduce food waste, redistributing surplus food, and transforming selected waste streams into value-added products.

The Council also reviewed the outcomes of the pilot Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) project, examining key lessons learned and recommendations for the next phase. Discussions highlighted the importance of EPR in strengthening producer accountability, increasing recycling rates and reducing waste generation.

The meeting further explored opportunities to expand circular economy practices across the hospitality sector by strengthening partnerships between government entities, tourism establishments and hotels, while scaling successful pilot initiatives that improve operational sustainability and resource efficiency.

The meeting also featured a presentation by Cycled Technologies, an SME specialising in AI-driven waste management. The company showcased its innovative digital solutions that improve waste sorting at source and encourage community participation in recycling through digital reward systems, increasing the recovery of recyclable materials and reducing waste sent to landfills.

Accelerating Initiative Implementation and Strengthening Partnerships

The Council discussed mechanisms to accelerate the implementation of circular economy policies and initiatives in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to achieve the UAE’s economic, environmental and developmental objectives. This includes the development of more efficient circular markets and the strengthening of regulatory frameworks that support the adoption of sustainable practices. The Council underscored the importance of continued cooperation among government entities, the private sector, and academic institutions, as well as the enhanced deployment of digital technologies and scalable smart solutions.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Council approved several recommendations and directives to advance the implementation of priority projects and initiatives, supporting the achievement of the UAE Circular Economy Agenda 2031 targets and reinforcing the country’s journey toward a more sustainable and innovative economy.