12:01 am - February 16, 2026
**Abu Dhabi**: The UAE Circular Economy Council convened to discuss new policies for a circular economy, highlighting sustainable infrastructure and innovation, with a vision to position the UAE as a global leader in sustainability under the ‘We the UAE 2031’ initiative.
The UAE Circular Economy Council convened a crucial meeting in Abu Dhabi, chaired by His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Council, alongside Her Highness Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and CEO of the Independent Accelerators of the UAE for Climate Change. The gathering took place as part of the fourth edition of “Investopia 2025,” themed “Harnessing the Power of Mega Investments,” which aims to explore innovative economic strategies for the future.
The focus of the meeting was on formulating effective mechanisms for implementing new circular economy policies across multiple sectors, including sustainable infrastructure, transport, advanced manufacturing, food, and textile recycling. The participants included members from both the public and private sectors, as well as international experts in the field of circular economy.
Minister Al Marri emphasised the significance of the UAE’s transition towards a circular economy, stating, “Thanks to the directives of its wise leadership, the UAE has given significant attention to the transition towards a circular economy model, which is a fundamental pillar in achieving sustainable economic and social development.” He highlighted that ongoing national efforts are aimed at enhancing resource efficiency and stimulating innovation, which align with the broader vision of “We the UAE 2031” to establish the country as a global hub for the new economy.
The Minister noted the importance of the meeting, which fell under the “Investopia Communities” initiative, allowing for the presentation of various ideas to develop circular economy policies and identify funding sources for transitioning to these models. Al Marri expressed aspirations to learn from global best practices that could be integrated into the UAE’s circular economy frameworks.
Her Highness Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan reiterated the vital role of the circular economy in fostering a sustainable future. Speaking about the UAE’s commitment, she remarked, “The circular economy is a fundamental pillar in building a sustainable future and a robust economy based on innovation and the effective reemployment of resources.” She further explained that enhancing policies supporting circular business models could yield substantial economic, environmental, and social benefits, thereby facilitating a pathway towards climate neutrality.
Highlighting initiatives under the “Launchpad” program, Sheikha Shamma mentioned how the circular economy cohort aims to foster innovation and provide practical solutions to environmental challenges. This programme seeks to empower entrepreneurs by transforming ideas into impactful projects that significantly contribute to carbon footprint reduction and optimise resource utilisation.
In addition, the meeting addressed the financing challenges faced by climate technology startups within the UAE and deliberated on strategies to make the nation more attractive for sustainable investments. The Council aims to position the UAE as a leading global centre for the circular economy within the next decade.
Other focal points during the meeting included recent innovations and initiatives in sustainable technology, clean energy, and waste management led by the private sector. The Council underscored the importance of strengthening partnerships between governmental entities and businesses to facilitate the transition across various economic sectors towards a more sustainable framework.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.moec.gov.ae/en/-/uae-circular-economy-council-holds-first-meeting-of-2025-to-discuss-implementation-of-new-circular-economy-policies – This URL corroborates the meeting of the UAE Circular Economy Council and its focus on implementing new circular economy policies across various sectors. It also mentions the significance of the meeting in aligning with the UAE’s broader vision.
- https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/environment/uicca-and-ministry-of-economy-partner-to-reinforce-sustainability-through-the-launch-of-the-circular-economy-cycle – This URL supports the partnership between UICCA and the Ministry of Economy aimed at reinforcing sustainability through circular economy initiatives, including the Launchpad Programme.
- https://www.moec.gov.ae/en/-/day-2-of-investopia-2025-reviews-sustainable-investment-strategies-and-financing-capabilities-to-develop-circular-economic-models – This URL provides further context about Investopia 2025, focusing on sustainable investment strategies and financing capabilities for developing circular economic models in the UAE.
- https://www.moec.gov.ae/en/-/uae-circular-economy-council-holds-first-meeting-of-2025-to-discuss-implementation-of-new-circular-economy-policies – This URL highlights Minister Al Marri’s emphasis on the UAE’s transition towards a circular economy as a fundamental pillar for sustainable development, supporting the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision.
- https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/environment/uicca-and-ministry-of-economy-partner-to-reinforce-sustainability-through-the-launch-of-the-circular-economy-cycle – This URL supports the engagement of Her Highness Sheikha Shamma in discussing the circular economy’s role in fostering a sustainable future and aligning policies with the UAE’s climate goals.
- https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/environment/uicca-and-ministry-of-economy-partner-to-reinforce-sustainability-through-the-launch-of-the-circular-economy-cycle – This URL addresses the financing challenges faced by climate-tech startups and strategies to enhance sustainable investments in the UAE, aligning with the Council’s aspirations to become a global hub for the circular economy.
- https://www.aletihad.ae/news/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A/4558711/-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%B1%D9%8A–%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%B4-%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%B0-%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA – Please view link – unable to able to access data
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:
8
Notes:
The meeting and related event ‘Investopia 2025’ suggest recent activity. However, without a specific date mentioned in the narrative, the exact freshness is somewhat uncertain.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
Quotes from Minister Al Marri and Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan are present, but their earliest known references online could not be verified due to limited search scope.
Source reliability
Score:
5
Notes:
The narrative originates from ‘aletihad.ae’, which may not be as widely recognized for international readers. While it appears to be a legitimate publication, its reputation is less established compared to major international news outlets.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative about the UAE’s transition to a circular economy and related high-level meetings aligns with plausible economic development strategies and current trends in sustainability. No obvious inconsistencies were found.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
While the narrative appears plausible and recent, some uncertainty remains regarding the specific event date and the reliability of the publication source. Given the lack of easily verifiable sources for the quotes, further confirmation is needed.
