3:49 am - February 16, 2026
The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism has taken a significant step towards advancing the nation’s sustainability goals by partnering with Japan-based WORKSTUDIO Corporation to develop an integrated circular economy model that aligns with the UAE Circular Economy Agenda 2031. The memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed in Dubai by H.E. Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry, and Kazuhiro Hara, CEO of WORKSTUDIO, was witnessed by His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the UAE Circular Economy Council. This collaboration aims to accelerate the UAE’s transition to a sustainable economy by enhancing the management of natural resources and reducing carbon emissions.
Through this partnership, the Ministry intends to propagate circular economy principles across key sectors, including food, manufacturing, sustainable transportation, and green infrastructure. The initiative underscores a commitment to preserving natural resources, promoting sustainable production and consumption, and fostering investment aligned with the country’s vision of sustainability and competitiveness. According to the Ministry, this move is designed to diversify and strengthen the resilience of the UAE’s economy while bolstering its global leadership in sustainable development and innovation. The agreement also supports the objectives of the Year of Community 2025, aiming to encourage sustainable practices and build a prosperous, cohesive society.
WORKSTUDIO’s hallmark system, PANECO®, forms the bedrock of the partnership’s framework. Developed in Japan, PANECO® focuses on recycling textile and food waste into valuable materials such as organic fertilizers, adhering to international best practices. These innovative recycling solutions are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions typically produced by waste incineration, thereby contributing to environmental protection and sustainable development. The partnership will also work towards establishing recycling facilities within the UAE, nurturing national talent, and creating a joint coordination committee to facilitate effective implementation and ensure active engagement from both government and private sectors. The project envisages a circular economy cycle starting from waste collection to creating new usable products, fostering collaboration among producers, consumers, and manufacturers to boost eco-friendly manufacturing aligned with the UAE’s 2031 circular economy goals.
In parallel with this initiative, the UAE Ministry of Economy is also partnering with the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) to further reinforce sustainability through the Circular Economy Cycle under the UICCA Launchpad Programme. This collaboration creates a strategic framework to support innovation and entrepreneurship in climate-focused technologies. The Ministry is committed to promoting this programme, engaging investors, better aligning regulations, and improving market access for green technologies — all critical factors in driving sustainable economic growth and fostering a supportive environment for climate-centric businesses. This initiative was formalised at Investopia 2025 in Abu Dhabi, reflecting the UAE’s comprehensive approach to embedding circular economy principles across multiple dimensions of its economic and environmental strategy.
Furthermore, complementary efforts in the UAE are reinforcing waste management and decarbonization. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, alongside Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company (Tadweer), recently launched ‘Waste to Zero,’ a global initiative targeting waste decarbonization and the advancement of the circular economy platform. This initiative aligns with the UAE’s commitment to cutting emissions by 43% by 2030, seeking to mobilise nations worldwide to adopt advanced technology-driven solutions in waste management, further bolstering the nation’s position as a pioneer in sustainable development.
Together, these collaborative efforts illustrate the UAE’s multi-layered strategy to advance a circular economy that is not only environmentally sustainable but also economically resilient and inclusive. By integrating innovative technologies, nurturing domestic expertise, and creating partnerships spanning government, private sector, and international collaborators, the UAE is poised to accelerate its green transition, meeting ambitious climate targets and setting new standards in regional and global sustainability leadership.
📌 Reference Map:
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.gccbusinessnews.com/uae-workstudio-to-foster-circular-economy/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://menafn.com/1109744909/Ministry-of-Economy-and-Tourism-signs-MoU-with-WORKSTUDIO-to-strengthen-partnership-in-circular-economy-and-develop-sustainable-environmental-policies – The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan-based WORKSTUDIO Corporation to develop an integrated circular economy framework aligned with the UAE Circular Economy Agenda 2031. The partnership aims to enhance sustainable management of natural resources, reduce carbon emissions, and support the UAE’s transition to a sustainable national economy. The MoU was signed by H.E. Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry, and Kazuhiro Hara, CEO of WORKSTUDIO Corporation, in the presence of His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the UAE Circular Economy Council.
- https://uicca.ae/news-and-media/recent-news/uicca-and-ministry-economy-partner-reinforce-sustainability-through-launch-circular-economy-cycle – The UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) and the UAE Ministry of Economy (MOEC) have signed an agreement to collaborate on advancing the circular economy. The agreement establishes a strategic framework for supporting innovation and entrepreneurship through the Circular Economy Cycle of the UICCA Launchpad Programme. The collaboration aims to drive sustainable economic growth by creating a supportive environment for climate-focused businesses. The Ministry will promote the programme, engage investors, and align regulations to strengthen market access for green technologies. This initiative was formalised during Investopia 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
- https://economymiddleeast.com/news/investopia-2025-uicca-uae-ministry-of-economy-partner-to-reinforce-sustainability-through-launch-of-circular-economy-cycle/ – The UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) and the UAE Ministry of Economy (MOEC) have signed an agreement to collaborate on advancing the circular economy. The agreement establishes a strategic framework for supporting innovation and entrepreneurship through the Circular Economy Cycle of the UICCA Launchpad Programme. The collaboration aims to drive sustainable economic growth by creating a supportive environment for climate-focused businesses. The Ministry will promote the programme, engage investors, and align regulations to strengthen market access for green technologies. This initiative was formalised during Investopia 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
- https://www.wam.ae/en/article/bifhsu2-uicca-ministry-economy-partner-reinforce – The UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) and the UAE Ministry of Economy (MOEC) have signed an agreement to collaborate on advancing the circular economy. The agreement establishes a strategic framework for supporting innovation and entrepreneurship through the Circular Economy Cycle of the UICCA Launchpad Programme. The collaboration aims to drive sustainable economic growth by creating a supportive environment for climate-focused businesses. The Ministry will promote the programme, engage investors, and align regulations to strengthen market access for green technologies. This initiative was formalised during Investopia 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/moccae-and-tadweer-sign-mou-to-launch-global-initiative-to-decarbonize-waste-management-and-the-circular-economy-platform-301950527.html – The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and Tadweer (Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch ‘Waste to Zero’, a global initiative to mobilize and advance waste decarbonization efforts, and to establish a circular economy platform. The initiative aims to strengthen the UAE’s role in leading global action and contribute to international efforts to achieve the 43% emission reduction target by 2030 by urging nations to adopt and maintain advanced technology-based solutions to decarbonize sectors including waste management, and to boost the circular economy.
- https://www.dxbnewsnetwork.com/uicca-ministry-of-economy-launch-circular-economy-cycle-for-sustainability – The UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) and the UAE Ministry of Economy (MOEC) have agreed to work together to support the circular economy. This partnership aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship through the Circular Economy Cycle of the UICCA Launchpad Programme. The Ministry will help by promoting this programme, introducing startups to investors, and making rules easier for green businesses. This plan is part of the UICCA Launchpad Programme and will give startups the tools they need to grow. The signing of this agreement took place at Investopia 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative was first published on 1 July 2025, with the earliest known publication date being 30 June 2025. The content has been republished across various reputable outlets, including MENAFN and WAM. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. No similar content appeared more than 7 days earlier. The article includes updated data and new material, justifying a higher freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from H.E. Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh and Kazuhiro Hara are unique to this narrative, with no identical matches found in earlier material. This suggests potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from MENAFN, a reputable news agency. However, the presence of the same content on other reputable outlets, such as WAM, indicates that the information is widely disseminated. The Ministry of Economy and Tourism and WORKSTUDIO Corporation are verifiable entities with public records and legitimate websites.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the partnership between the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism and WORKSTUDIO Corporation to develop an integrated circular economy model align with the UAE’s Circular Economy Policy 2031. The initiative to enhance the management of natural resources and reduce carbon emissions is consistent with the UAE’s sustainability goals. The involvement of PANECO®, WORKSTUDIO’s recycling system, is plausible and aligns with the reported objectives. The narrative lacks excessive or off-topic detail and maintains a consistent tone appropriate for the subject matter.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, with no significant discrepancies or signs of disinformation. The quotes are unique, and the sources are reliable. The claims are plausible and align with known sustainability initiatives in the UAE.
