Page 95 - MOE ENGLISH PR - MAY 2024

Press Release

H.E. continued: "In light of the current global economic challenges, we believe it is important to
strengthen cooperation in new and sustainable economic sectors, especially technology, artificial
intelligence, digital transformation and advanced applications. Tourism, circular economy, green
economy, entrepreneurship, and other future sectors are also equally important. We should also
consider exploring new mechanisms that contribute to facilitating tourism flows between the
countries participating in the Forum. This will promote sustainable tourism development in both
regions by exploiting the tourism potential of all our countries.”

Furthermore, the Minister of Economy elaborated on the UAE’s vision to foster the growth and
sustainability of the tourism and aviation sectors, including the launch of UAE Tourism Strategy
2031, which aims to raise the sector’s contribution to the GDP to AED 450 billion, and strengthen
the UAE’s position as one of the best global tourism destinations by the next decade. The national
Aviation Decarbonization Roadmap, which seeks to achieve an annual production of up to 700
million liters of sustainable fuel (SAF) by 2030, was also highlighted.

In addition, H.E. highlighted the UAE’s strong commitment to pursuing collaborative efforts, thus
contributing to achieving the goals set by the third session of the forum. These include the
development of tourism exchanges between Arab countries, Central Asia and Azerbaijan through
facilitating cooperation between relevant tourism organizations and entities. The strengthening of
cooperation in land, sea and air transport sectors through joint projects and initiatives, besides
sharing best practices and experiences in such vital sectors are also focus areas.

Furthermore, H.E. Bin Touq underscored the UAE’s readiness to share its experience in facing
water scarcity challenge, as the country gained global status in managing its water resources and
devising proper solutions, especially after hosting COP28, which placed water security on top of
its agenda.

In this context, the participants welcomed the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative (MBZWI),
launched in the UAE to increase awareness on the importance of the water scarcity crisis and its
critical effects at the international level. It also accelerates the development of innovative
technological solutions to address this challenge and enables cooperation with concerned
international partners and parties to advance technology innovation in addressing water scarcity.
Besides, it contributes to expanding the scope of international collaboration and increasing
investments directed towards overcoming this global challenge.

The forum also underlined the importance of supporting agricultural cooperation and benefiting
from exceptional experiences in harnessing advanced agriculture technologies and smart irrigation
systems. Also highlighted was the need to promote cultural and scientific exchange by encouraging

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