Brasília: The UAE reaffirmed its leadership in sustainable transport at the BRICS Transport Ministers’ Meeting, highlighting its Etihad Rail project, electric vehicle targets, sustainable aviation fuel ambitions, and initiatives in smart infrastructure and maritime emissions reduction aimed at global collaboration.
The UAE has made a significant impression at the recent BRICS Transport Ministers’ Meeting held in Brasília, Brazil, reaffirming its dedication to advancing sustainable transport solutions. Represented by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), the UAE showcased its innovative approaches to addressing global transport challenges, with a particular emphasis on international collaboration.
Sheikh Nasser Al Qasimi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Infrastructure Regulation Sector at MoEI, articulated the nation’s noteworthy achievements in sustainable transport and smart infrastructure. He brought attention to the ambitious goals of the “Etihad Rail” project, which extends over 1,200 kilometres throughout the UAE. This pioneering initiative is projected to facilitate the transport of over 60 million tonnes of freight and 36.5 million passengers annually by 2030, significantly contributing to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 8.2 million tonnes each year. The project aligns with broader UAE initiatives aimed at decarbonising the transport sector, particularly through multimodal transport strategies.
The meeting also highlighted the UAE’s advancements in urban mobility, which include a pronounced push for electric vehicle (EV) adoption. Plans to establish modern electric charging infrastructure and develop an air taxi network by 2026 were unveiled, reinforcing the country’s vision of integrating innovative technology into its transport systems. This commitment is reflected in the UAE’s ambitious target to ensure that 50% of all registered vehicles are either electric or hybrid by 2050.
In addition to rail and urban mobility, the aviation sector also received considerable attention. The UAE aims to produce 700 million litres of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) annually by 2030, with a view to implementing a mandatory blending rate of at least 1% by the following year. As Al Qasimi noted, the aviation industry is poised for substantial growth, with UAE airports recording over 140 million passengers and 4 million tonnes of air cargo in 2024. Etihad Airways and Emirates Airlines are both pursuing net-zero objectives by 2050, with a commitment to operational flights using SAF.
The maritime transport sector was not overlooked; Al Qasimi reiterated the UAE’s goal to reduce emissions at national ports by 70% by 2030. The commitment to operate Jebel Ali Port entirely on renewable energy further exemplifies this sustainable agenda. Al Qasimi expressed support for the establishment of a BRICS International Logistics Alliance and a BRICS Institute for Sustainable Transport and Logistics. These initiatives aim to facilitate technical knowledge exchange and foster regional integration, thereby contributing to global sustainable development goals.
Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, the UAE’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, has consistently emphasised the importance of multimodal transport in achieving socio-economic prosperity. At previous forums, he outlined targets for smart mobility, envisioning that by 2031, 30% of all trips will be made using environmentally sustainable transportation methods, and 15% of local trips will utilise autonomous vehicles. The nation’s substantial investments in road infrastructure, which rank fifth globally and top the Arab world for road quality, are foundational to these efforts.
The UAE is also at the forefront of technological innovation in logistics, having implemented maritime single windows and integrated blockchain solutions in its operations. The recent launch of the Blue Pass Multimodal, a digital portal consolidating various shipping services, illustrates the UAE’s commitment to enhancing global logistics efficiency.
Overall, the UAE’s proactive approach at the BRICS Transport Ministers’ Meeting underscores its ambition to be a leader in sustainable transport innovation. The nation is not only focusing on its internal developments but is also advocating for collaborative solutions to address global transport and logistics challenges, securing its place at the forefront of the international dialogue on sustainable strategies.
Reference Map
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.gccbusinessnews.com/uae-at-brics-transport-ministers-meeting/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://totaluae.com/posts/emirates/suhail-al-mazrouei-affirms-uaes-readiness-cooperate-brics-countries-sustainable-transport/ – Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, UAE’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, attended the BRICS Ministers of Transport Meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia, emphasizing the UAE’s commitment to sustainable transport. He highlighted the importance of multimodal transport for socio-economic prosperity and outlined ambitious targets for smart mobility by 2031, including increasing environmentally sustainable transportation methods to 30% of all trips and expanding the use of autonomous vehicles to 15% of local trips. Al Mazrouei also discussed the UAE’s significant investments in road infrastructure, ranking fifth globally and first among Arab countries in road quality, and the Etihad railway’s role in supporting land freight and passenger movement. He underscored the UAE’s efforts to decarbonize the transport sector, aiming to increase the share of electric and hybrid vehicles to 50% of total vehicles on the roads by 2050. ([totaluae.com](https://totaluae.com/posts/emirates/suhail-al-mazrouei-affirms-uaes-readiness-to-cooperate-with-brics-countries-in-driving-sustainable-transport/?utm_source=openai))
- https://gulfnews.com/opinion/op-eds/the-uaes-acceleration-towards-greener-transport-1.99822526 – The UAE is accelerating its efforts towards greener transport, with Etihad Rail playing a pivotal role in decarbonization. The rail network, designed to withstand regional climate conditions, aims to increase capacity to over 60 million tonnes of goods per year and contribute to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 70%-80%. The Dubai Metro, launched in 2009, has already curbed more than 2.6 million tonnes of emissions by converting private car journeys to public transport. Plans include expanding the metro with a new 30km Blue Line and outfitting stations with solar panels to generate nearly 10MW of power. Dubai aims to make its taxi fleet completely eco-friendly by 2030, decarbonizing all taxis, limousines, and public buses with near-zero consumption and sourcing energy from renewable sources. Abu Dhabi is also implementing plans to reduce carbon emissions across its public transport network, introducing low-emission electric buses and trialing robotaxis to enhance safety and sustainability. In the aviation sector, UAE airlines are committed to net-zero goals by 2050, with Etihad Airways exploring operating flights on a 40% blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and Emirates Airlines operating milestone demonstration flights powered 100% by SAF. Both airlines have joined a UAE-led consortium, Air-CRAFT, to research renewable and advanced aviation fuels. ([gulfnews.com](https://gulfnews.com/opinion/op-eds/the-uaes-acceleration-towards-greener-transport-1.99822526?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.moei.gov.ae/en/media-center/news/16/2/2023/ministry-of-energy-and-infrastructure-launches-smart-mobility-think-tank-to-shape-future-mobility – The UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) launched the Smart Mobility Think Tank in collaboration with Etihad Rail, Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG), the American Center for Mobility, and The Routing Company. This initiative aims to bring together experts from the public and private sectors and academia to build and share knowledge on smart mobility, develop innovative transport solutions, and inform related policies and legislations. The Think Tank aligns with the UAE Smart Mobility Strategy, aiming to establish the UAE among leading countries in smart intermodal mobility by 2032. ([moei.gov.ae](https://www.moei.gov.ae/en/media-center/news/16/2/2023/ministry-of-energy-and-infrastructure-launches-smart-mobility-think-tank-to-shape-future-mobility?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.eyeofriyadh.com/news/details/suhail-al-mazrouei-affirms-uae-s-readiness-to-cooperate-with-brics-countries-in-driving-sustainable-transport – Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, UAE’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, attended the BRICS Ministers of Transport Meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia, emphasizing the UAE’s commitment to sustainable transport. He highlighted the importance of multimodal transport for socio-economic prosperity and outlined ambitious targets for smart mobility by 2031, including increasing environmentally sustainable transportation methods to 30% of all trips and expanding the use of autonomous vehicles to 15% of local trips. Al Mazrouei also discussed the UAE’s significant investments in road infrastructure, ranking fifth globally and first among Arab countries in road quality, and the Etihad railway’s role in supporting land freight and passenger movement. He underscored the UAE’s efforts to decarbonize the transport sector, aiming to increase the share of electric and hybrid vehicles to 50% of total vehicles on the roads by 2050. ([eyeofriyadh.com](https://www.eyeofriyadh.com/news/details/suhail-al-mazrouei-affirms-uae-s-readiness-to-cooperate-with-brics-countries-in-driving-sustainable-transport?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/274706743/uae-participates-in-global-logistics-forum-2024-in-riyadh – The UAE participated in the Global Logistics Forum 2024 in Riyadh, highlighting its commitment to enhancing global logistics efficiency through technology. The country is one of the first to use maritime single windows and has implemented blockchain technology in its operations. The UAE launched the Blue Pass Multimodal, a unified digital portal that integrates and accelerates multi-modal shipping, with over 300 companies registered, offering services to over 25,000 ships. The UAE also aims to increase the number of electric and hybrid vehicles to 3.6 million by 2050, representing 50% of total registered vehicles, and has revealed the General Policy for Sustainable Aviation Fuel to encourage production and use of SAF. ([bignewsnetwork.com](https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/274706743/uae-participates-in-global-logistics-forum-2024-in-riyadh?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/transport/global-rail-transport-infrastructure-exhibition-and-conference-2024-discusses-next-generation-of-rail-transport/ – Etihad Rail signed agreements with IronLev and Nevomo to explore integrating passive ferromagnetic levitation systems and autonomous rail transport technologies into its operations. These collaborations aim to enhance efficiency and sustainability in the UAE’s railway sector, potentially transforming future rail transport in the region and beyond. ([mediaoffice.abudhabi](https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/transport/global-rail-transport-infrastructure-exhibition-and-conference-2024-discusses-next-generation-of-rail-transport/?utm_source=openai))
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 refers to events at a recent BRICS Transport Ministers’ Meeting in Brasília and cites 2024 and 2025 targets and data, indicating current and up-to-date information. Names and roles (e.g., Sheikh Nasser Al Qasimi as Assistant Undersecretary, Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei as Minister) are current, with no signs of outdated references. There is no indication of recycled or press release content that would question freshness; the content appears timely and relevant to ongoing UAE transport and sustainability strategies.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Direct quotes from Sheikh Nasser Al Qasimi and references to Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei’s statements were found linked to official UAE ministry communications and related coverage around 2024 events. While exact earliest sources were not pinpointed, the quotes align with recent official statements/releases given at international forums, supporting authenticity. Absence of widely earlier references suggests the quotes originate directly from recent official engagements rather than being recycled.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from GCC Business News, a regional business news outlet focused on Gulf Cooperation Council countries. It is moderately reputable within regional business reporting but not a globally recognised major news organisation. Cross-referencing with other regional news outlets confirms consistency in reported facts, but the outlet’s more limited global editorial oversight reduces the reliability score compared to top-tier international media.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims regarding UAE’s transport projects, climate targets, EV adoption goals, Etihad Rail freight and passenger predictions, sustainable aviation fuel targets, and technological logistics initiatives are consistent with known UAE government strategies and international sustainability trends. The detailed figures and timelines are plausible and supported by external data on UAE investments and policy ambitions. No extraordinary or unverifiable claims were identified.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is recent, credible, and aligns well with known UAE government transport and sustainability plans. Quotes appear authentic and consistent with official statements around the time of the BRICS meeting. Although GCC Business News is a regional outlet with moderate international recognition, the cross-referenced details and plausibility of claims provide a strong basis for confidence in accuracy and freshness.
