The Emirates News Agency reported that the UAE Embassy in the Maldives, in cooperation with the Maldives Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, organised a virtual roundtable to explore opportunities for cooperation in the energy sector. Heba Aljneibi, Chargé d’Affaires at the UAE Embassy, led the UAE side that included representatives from Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and Global South Utilities. Mohamed Faiz, Minister of State for Climate Change, Environment and Energy, chaired the Maldivian delegation comprising senior ministry officials and representatives from the State Electric Company Ltd (STELCO).
In her opening remarks, according to the Emirates News Agency, Aljneibi emphasised the UAE’s commitment to renewable energy and its readiness to strengthen cooperation with the Maldives while recognising the particular challenges faced by island states. Aljneibi outlined the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 and highlighted the UAE Consensus reached at COP28 in Dubai in 2023 as a historic agreement by 198 parties to advance climate action. The Chargé d’Affaires also noted the launch of ALTÉRRA, a $30 billion fund to finance climate solutions, along with Masdar’s goal of achieving 100 gigawatts of clean energy capacity by 2030.
Discussions at the roundtable covered electricity grid modernisation, smart grids, battery energy storage systems and measures to reduce dependence on diesel generation, the Emirates News Agency reported. Participants examined the integration of renewable energy into local infrastructure across the island nation. The session further addressed training programmes and knowledge exchange to build local capabilities in sustainable energy practices.
The Emirates News Agency listed additional topics including desalination projects on 40 islands, enhancements to water and sewerage networks, development of regional waste-to-energy facilities and associated capacity building initiatives. These conversations followed an earlier September meeting between Maldivian Minister Ali Shareef and Aljneibi that similarly focused on energy, water and waste management. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has previously supported infrastructure projects in the Maldives including airport expansions, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives.
Maldivian government plans call for 33 percent of the country’s electricity to come from renewable sources by 2028, a benchmark outlined in statements from the Ministry of Tourism and Environment. The archipelago’s dispersed geography and reliance on imported fuels have shaped its approach to energy security and climate resilience. UAE entities have positioned themselves as partners in such transitions through technical expertise and investment frameworks.
Bilateral relations between the UAE and Maldives rest on foundations of friendship, mutual respect and shared interests, the Emirates News Agency stated. Multiple engagements in recent months have concentrated on expanding ties in the energy domain. The virtual roundtable served as a platform for detailed technical exchanges between the respective teams.
