Abu Dhabi Extends GGGI Climate Partnership to 2029
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi has extended its strategic cooperation with the Global Green Growth Institute through 2029.
Key points
- EAD and GGGI extended their cooperation agreement for three years, valid until 2029.
- The partnership now covers carbon management, sustainable finance, and climate adaptation.
- The agreement supports Abu Dhabi’s Climate Change Strategy and UAE Net Zero by 2050 goals.
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has formalized a three-year extension of its strategic partnership with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). Signed in Seoul during an official visit by EAD leadership, the amendment to the existing agreement runs until 2029 and broadens the scope of collaboration to include carbon management, climate adaptation, and sustainable finance mechanisms.
According to zawya.com, the signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the second chapter of EAD's global Source-to-Sea initiative. Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of EAD, and Sang-Hyup Kim, Executive Director of GGGI, executed the document, marking a continued commitment to integrating environmental expertise with green growth practices in the emirate.
Expanding Scope of Climate Cooperation
The updated agreement builds on the foundation laid in 2023, which facilitated the development of Abu Dhabi’s unified Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system. This system has transitioned from a voluntary program to a legally mandated framework covering the emirate’s most significant emitting sectors. Under the new terms, GGGI will assist in consolidating adaptation planning and mobilizing private capital for environmental projects.
Cooperation will also extend to the circular economy, the environmental goods and services sector, and capacity building for climate resilience. Additionally, the partnership aims to strengthen Abu Dhabi's greenhouse gas and air quality monitoring systems, ensuring that scientific data informs regulatory decisions effectively.
Aligning With National Strategic Goals
This collaboration directly supports the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy (2023–2027) and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative. It also reinforces the country’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As the UAE prepares to co-host the 2026 UN Water Conference, these foundational steps in climate governance become increasingly significant.
Deepening Long-Term Institutional Ties
The UAE has been a founding member of GGGI and has partnered with the institute since 2011 on the transition towards a green economy. GGGI, headquartered in Seoul, is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization that supports developing and emerging economies in adopting environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive growth models. The continued engagement reflects the enduring nature of this diplomatic and technical relationship.
