UAE Embassy in Malé convenes energy cooperation roundtable with Maldives
A virtual dialogue between the UAE and Maldives explores renewable energy opportunities and infrastructure development across the Indian Ocean island nation.
The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Malé, working in concert with the Maldives’ Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, has organised a virtual roundtable to examine collaborative possibilities within the energy sector. The diplomatic initiative brings together leading institutions from both nations to address the distinctive energy requirements of island states.
The UAE delegation was led by Heba Aljneibi, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy, accompanied by representatives from Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and Global South Utilities (GSU). The Maldivian contingent was led by Mohamed Faiz, Minister of State for Climate Change, Environment and Energy, who presided over the session alongside senior ministry officials and representatives of the State Electric Company Ltd (STELCO).
In her opening address, Ms Aljneibi reaffirmed that the partnership between the UAE and the Republic of Maldives is grounded in friendship, mutual respect and shared aspirations. She underscored the UAE’s commitment to deepening its engagement with the Maldives and its unwavering readiness to advance cooperation in renewable energy, particularly in recognition of the distinctive challenges confronting island nations.
Ms Aljneibi highlighted the UAE’s dedication to accelerating the global energy transition, a commitment crystallised through the UAE Consensus adopted at COP28, which established an ambitious international objective of tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling the rate of energy efficiency improvement by 2030.
The roundtable discussions encompassed electricity grid modernisation, smart grid technologies, battery energy storage systems, and strategies to reduce diesel dependency whilst expanding renewable energy integration. Participants examined desalination initiatives across forty islands, water and sewerage infrastructure, the incorporation of renewable energy sources, and potential regional waste-to-energy facilities. The agenda further included exploration of training programmes, capacity building initiatives and structured knowledge exchange mechanisms between the two nations.
The roundtable proved instrumental in enabling participants to assess the Maldives’ current and prospective projects whilst identifying promising avenues for deepened cooperation between both sides, reflecting the shared commitment to sustainable development and energy security.
Source: WAM