The European Union organised yesterday, 9 October, in Abu Dhabi the first EU-GCC Green Transition Forum, under the EU-GCC Cooperation for Green Transition Project. This event marked the beginning of a long-term, collaborative initiative aimed at addressing the shared environmental challenges faced by both the European Union (EU) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Each year, the forum will take place in a different GCC capital, expanding and deepening the dialogue around the green transition and sustainable development.

The forum brought together key stakeholders from government, business, and the academic sectors, creating a platform for the exchange of innovative ideas and policies designed to drive the green economy forward. In line with the vision set forth in the EU Joint Communication on Strategic Partnership with the Gulf, this event symbolised the commitment to joint action on climate change and the adoption of renewable energy solutions.

Speaking at the event, HE Lucie Berger, Ambassador of the European Union to the UAE, stated:

The EU-GCC Green Transition Forum is not only an opportunity for dialogue but also a necessary step in the ongoing partnership between our regions. As we work together to address climate challenges and unlock the vast opportunities that green transitions offer, forums like this are crucial to building a resilient and sustainable future for both the EU and the GCC states, including the UAE which plays a pioneering role in driving sustainable development in the region.

The forum comes at a particularly significant time, just days before the first-ever EU-GCC Summit in Brussels on 16 October, where leaders from both regions will address strategic areas of cooperation, including renewable energy and the green transition.

The EU-GCC Green Transition Forum covered a range of key topics, including advancements in renewable energy, strategies for reducing carbon emissions, the development of a renewable hydrogen market, and efficient resource management. Participants also had the opportunity to engage with successful case studies and models from both the EU and GCC regions, showcasing effective approaches to net-zero transitions and climate resilience.