UAE confirms willingness to collaborate with BRICS nations in promoting sustainable transportation

The Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Transport, hosted in St. Petersburg, Russia, saw the participation of Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, representing the UAE. The purpose of the meeting was to drive international cooperation and sharing of experiences in the transport sector among BRICS countries.

In his speech at the meeting, Al Mazrouei expressed the UAE’s readiness to collaborate with BRICS nations in enhancing connectivity, diversifying logistics supply chains, and developing streamlined international transport routes that serve their best interests. He emphasized the importance of multimodal transport as a key driver of socio-economic prosperity, stating that with proper transport infrastructure and cost-effective international transport routes, there could be a significant increase in trade flow and cross-border movement of people.

The Minister also highlighted the UAE’s shift towards smart mobility and the development of urban public transport systems. By setting ambitious targets for the year 2031, including increasing the share of environmentally sustainable transportation methods, expanding the utilization of autonomous vehicles, and promoting public and shared transportation, the UAE aims to enhance public transportation user satisfaction and overall efficiency.

Discussing the maritime transport sector, Al Mazrouei pointed out the significant contribution it makes to the UAE’s GDP, exceeding US$34 billion. He highlighted the UAE’s position as a leading player in the global maritime industry, ranking highly in various aspects such as fuel supply to ships, container handling efficiency, and seaport service index.

On the topic of land transportation, the Minister emphasized its crucial role in the country’s economic success, with investments surpassing $6 billion in road infrastructure. The UAE’s commitment to road quality has resulted in global recognition, ranking 5th globally and first among Arab countries in road quality.

Al Mazrouei also discussed the importance of the Etihad railway in supporting land freight and the movement of people across the UAE. The railway, extending for 1,200 km, links the main centres of trade and plays a vital role in facilitating transportation within the country.

Addressing the role of green mobility in decarbonizing the transport sector, the Minister stressed the importance of promoting electric vehicles as a sustainable transport option. With plans to increase the share of electric and hybrid vehicles to 50 percent of total vehicles on the roads by 2050, the UAE is making significant strides in promoting green mobility and reducing CO2 emissions.

At the conclusion of the meeting, participating ministers agreed on a declaration highlighting the importance of transport in driving economic growth, facilitating trade and investment, and improving connectivity. The declaration also emphasized the role of innovative technologies and regulations in enhancing transportation efficiency and promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

On the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Al Mazrouei participated in panel sessions and held bilateral meetings with ministers from Russia and Egypt to explore further collaboration in the transport sector. The discussions focused on enhancing efficiency and integration in the transport and logistics sectors between the UAE and these countries.