On the face of it, Abu Dhabi and Geneva are very different.
One is surrounded by desert and coastline; the other by mountains and lakes. Yet we do have several things in common. One is that both are warming faster than the global average. Another is that we both see infrastructure as a key part of mitigating the impact of climate change on our lives.
Good infrastructure has the power to transform lives. It connects us, it facilitates commerce, it enhances our quality of life, and it propels our economies forward. My government’s vision is to rank Abu Dhabi among the most advanced cities in the world; a smart, safe, sustainable, liveable city that our citizens and residents are proud to call home. Infrastructure must be at the very heart of this transformation.
If we start with public transport, a well-designed system not only reduces travel time and congestion but also decreases pollution and improves quality of life. Switzerland has a first-class public transport system, developed over many decades. Abu Dhabi’s is more nascent. But youth has its advantages.
There’s much more to this ambition than just bragging rights
One of them is the ability to leapfrog development stages and to be transformative in our approach. We have already begun expanding our pilot projects for innovative transport solutions, which has enabled us to introduce self-driving taxi services and autonomous rapid rail vehicles.
This means adopting practices and technologies that minimise environmental impact, promote energy efficiency and ensure resilience against the challenges of climate change. At the entity which I chair – the Department of Municipalities and Transport – we are dedicated to Smart Mobility. Our vision is to deliver improved connectivity, efficiency, and services to our people.
We are building an integrated system that brings all modes of transport together under one roof – electric and hydrogen-powered buses, autonomous self-driving taxis, or private vehicles. The UAE is already ranked seventh in the Global Electric Mobility Readiness Index and has one of the highest charging station-to-vehicle ratios in the world. We are now rolling out rapid charging stations to ensure drivers can refuel their EVs quickly and cost-effectively.
Abu Dhabi already ranks 13th globally in the International Institute for Management’s smart city index. But I want us to go further. I want Abu Dhabi to be the smartest city in the world.
There’s much more to this ambition than just bragging rights. Abu Dhabi is urbanising. By 2040, our population is expected reach six million people.
This is a trend that is accelerating around the globe. Already 54 per cent of the world’s people live in urban centres. Projections indicate that, by 2050, this figure will grow to 66 per cent. More people in urban areas means more competition for increasingly scarce resources and a greater-than-ever need for efficient, sustainable service delivery.
Such scale and pace of change require a considered approach to growth management. This is what we are doing in Abu Dhabi – devising a blueprint with a clear framework for achieving growth in a considered and sustainable way.
A key milestone in the development of our plan was the establishment a year ago of the Abu Dhabi Centre for Projects and Infrastructure, to oversee capital projects throughout the emirate.
The centre's project portfolio stands at over 600 projects with a value of nearly $55 billion across housing, education, tourism and natural resources. It includes the construction and enhancement of parks, public spaces, walk lanes, playgrounds and specialised cycle tracks; more places of worship, community and sports centres, and retail developments; and further innovations in transport and mobility.
To be liveable and smart also means to be sustainable. Infrastructure has a big role to play in mitigation of climate change – not only in the use of sustainable materials and smart technologies that lower our emissions, but in the design of our urban landscapes to lessen the impact of higher temperatures.
Our ancestors knew this well. They built wind towers – barjeel, in Arabic – one of the most effective cooling methods used in traditional Gulf architecture. These towers capture and direct cooler breezes into the building while expelling warmer air, functioning as natural air conditioners.
Architects are still taking cues from Arabic design tradition. The shading system running up the facade of Al Bahar Towers in Abu Dhabi was inspired by mashrabiya; screens that diffuse sunlight and keep buildings cool without blocking light. This makes it more comfortable for its occupants; it also means less energy is used in cooling it.
Good infrastructure is more than just good design. It must be part of a vision to leverage technology and sustainability to redefine urban living. Abu Dhabi has been a pioneer in this regard. It’s why we built Masdar City, back when the concept of sustainable cities was still in its infancy. And Noor Abu Dhabi, the world’s largest single-site solar power plant, which powers 66,000 homes. It's why we commissioned Barakah Abu Dhabi, the first nuclear energy plant in the region, which will soon produce enough clean electricity to provide a quarter of the UAE’s total power needs.
Infrastructure must be financially as well as environmentally sustainable. Delivering good infrastructure while managing risk, particularly financial risk, is a delicate balancing act. It requires careful planning, robust financial models, and a commitment to transparency and accountability.
One of the keys to success in this area is leveraging public-private partnerships. These partnerships can mobilise private sector investment, innovation and efficiency, while sharing the risks and rewards. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company has linked up with international firms to develop its energy infrastructure. This strategy has not only mitigated financial risks but also attracted significant foreign investment, fostering economic growth and development.
With the right approach, infrastructure can be a powerful catalyst for positive change. By focusing on the holistic benefits of good infrastructure, ensuring its sustainability, and managing risks prudently, we can build better, more liveable cities and shape a brighter future for all.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
'Operation Mincemeat'
Director: John Madden
Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton
Rating: 4/5
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Paris Can Wait
Dir: Eleanor Coppola
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Diane Lane, Arnaud Viard
Two stars
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RESULTS
Catchweight 63.5kg: Shakriyor Juraev (UZB) beat Bahez Khoshnaw (IRQ). Round 3 TKO (body kick)
Lightweight: Nart Abida (JOR) beat Moussa Salih (MAR). Round 1 by rear naked choke
Catchweight 79kg: Laid Zerhouni (ALG) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ). Round 1 TKO (punches)
Catchweight 58kg: Omar Al Hussaini (UAE) beat Mohamed Sahabdeen (SLA) Round 1 rear naked choke
Flyweight: Lina Fayyad (JOR) beat Sophia Haddouche (ALG) Round 2 TKO (ground and pound)
Catchweight 80kg: Badreddine Diani (MAR) beat Sofiane Aïssaoui (ALG) Round 2 TKO
Flyweight: Sabriye Sengul (TUR) beat Mona Ftouhi (TUN). Unanimous decision
Middleweight: Kher Khalifa Eshoushan (LIB) beat Essa Basem (JOR). Round 1 rear naked choke
Heavyweight: Mohamed Jumaa (SUD) beat Hassen Rahat (MAR). Round 1 TKO (ground and pound)
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammad Ali Musalim (UAE beat Omar Emad (EGY). Round 1 triangle choke
Catchweight 62kg: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR). Round 2 KO
Catchweight 88kg: Mohamad Osseili (LEB) beat Samir Zaidi (COM). Unanimous decision
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
