UAE highlights transport success at BRICS meeting

The UAE, represented by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), has participated in the BRICS Transport Ministers’ meeting held in Brasília, the capital of Brazil.

Sheikh Nasser Al Qasimi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Infrastructure Regulation Sector at MoEI, delivered the UAE’s address during the ministerial session. In his speech, he highlighted the UAE’s key achievements in the fields of sustainable transport and smart infrastructure, reaffirming the country’s commitment to a forward-looking vision based on data-driven policies and innovation. He also emphasised the importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing global challenges in the transport sector.

He confirmed the UAE’s continued efforts to develop an integrated and sustainable infrastructure, referring to the Etihad Rail project, which spans 1,200 kilometres across the country. The project aims to transport more than 60 million tons of freight and 36.5 million passengers annually by 2030, contributing to a reduction of approximately 8.2 million ton of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

He also highlighted developments in urban mobility, including the expansion of electric vehicle usage and plans to launch an air taxi network by 2026. Additionally, he noted the development of a modern electric charging infrastructure, which had exceeded 700 stations across the country by the end of 2024.

In the aviation sector, he presented the UAE’s roadmap for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), aiming to produce 700 million litres annually by 2030, with a mandatory blending rate of at least one per cent by 2031. He also pointed out that the country's airports recorded over 140 million passengers and 4 million tons of air cargo in 2024.

Regarding the maritime transport sector, he reiterated the UAE’s commitment to reducing emissions at national ports by 70 per cent by 2030, and to fully operate Jebel Ali Port using renewable energy. He also expressed support for the proposal to establish a BRICS International Logistics Alliance.

At the meeting, the UAE renewed its support for the establishment of the BRICS Institute for Sustainable Transport and Logistics, envisioned as a platform for the exchange of technical expertise and the enhancement of regional integration, thus contributing to the global sustainable development agenda in the transport sector.

The UAE delegation also participated in preparatory meetings of the specialised working groups ahead of the ministerial meeting, which included official delegations and experts from various countries. During the technical sessions and workshops, national best practices were presented in the areas of sustainable transport, smart urban mobility, sustainable aviation fuel, air connectivity, port emissions reduction, and maritime transport. A proposal to establish an international logistics alliance within the BRICS framework was also discussed.

The technical teams formulated a set of technical and conceptual recommendations that were included in the ministerial declaration, reflecting the member states’ commitment to promoting collaborative efforts and sharing expertise to develop a sustainable and resilient transport system that meets future needs.