A high-level delegation from the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the Middle East’s largest environmental regulator, has concluded a successful week-long knowledge exchange tour of the Netherlands to explore opportunities for collaboration and discuss the latest innovations and best practices in environment and sustainability with industry stakeholders in Amsterdam and The Hague. The delegation also attended key sustainability events and the World Summit AI, the world’s most prestigious event exploring how AI can be used equitably, inclusively, and safely.
The EAD delegation attended multiple sustainability-focused events in the Netherlands from 7th to 14th October and met with government officials, C-Suite executives, and sustainability officers across various industries to share insights on topics such as decarbonisation and the energy transition, including low-carbon solutions like green hydrogen. They also debated the challenges of developing policies for hard-to-abate sectors.
At the World Summit
AI, the EAD team participated in discussions on the significant impact of AI, including what it means to be human in the age of AI and whether it is possible to democratise this advanced technology. The summit highlighted AI’s role in disrupting sectors and examined the ethical and human-centric aspects of AI’s impact on governments and sustainability.
In a separate stakeholder meeting, the EAD delegation met with representatives of TNO, an independent research organisation in the Netherlands that focuses on transforming scientific knowledge into practical applications for industry and society. As EAD leverages advanced technologies to monitor air pollution, including tracking particulate matter and nitrogen oxides (NOx), TNO’s water purification technologies help mitigate contaminants such as microplastics and harmful chemicals. These insights can help EAD implement more informed initiatives contributing to the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy (2023-2027).
The EAD team also met with officials from Rijkswa
terstaat, the Dutch Government’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, to compare best practices in air and water quality monitoring and management in Abu Dhabi and Amsterdam. The discussions focused on developing techniques to build resilience in coastal areas, which is relevant to both countries.
The delegation also interacted with Deltares, an independent Dutch research institute focused on water and subsurface systems, which provides innovative solutions in water management, climate adaptation, and flood protection. They attended a presentation on advanced models for water treatment and wastewater management that optimise water usage and safety.
Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, said, “In line with our vision to shape a sustainable, safe, and healthy environment in Abu Dhabi and offer an enhanced quality of life to its residents, the visit of the EAD team to the Netherlands helps scale the Agency’s reach and scope. We continue to enhance enviro
nmental management and sustainability in Abu Dhabi while learning from the best practices of industry stakeholders regionally and globally.
“By engaging with Dutch experts and understanding first-hand their advanced water and air monitoring technologies, waste management practices, and AI-driven innovations, we are now equipped with valuable insights that can be adapted to our unique environmental context in Abu Dhabi. We also shared some of our key achievements in these areas with Dutch environmentalists, helping to bolster Abu Dhabi’s reputation as an environmental hub.”
This visit to the Netherlands marks the first in a series of roadshows the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi is undertaking to stay updated on best-in-class and emerging technology solutions in the dynamic field and ensure future readiness.
Source: Emirates News Agency