Under the slogan "Today for Tomorrow", the UAE declared 2023 - the year in which COP28 takes place - as the Year of Sustainability to highlight national efforts promoting global climate action in line with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Following the announcement of the Year of Sustainability, national entities, including ministries, redoubled efforts to algin their new initiatives and projects with the sustainability agenda.

The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) has launched numerous initiatives that support sustainability, including initiatives around quality infrastructure and standards, which are an integral part of sustainability and clean manufacturing.

Standards are a critical instrument for supporting national sustainability and environmental protection policies and for enhancing the efficiency of production. By aligning standards, conformity assessment procedures and technical guidelines, manufacturers, producers and consumers can help to achieve SDGs as well as the objectives of policies on sustainability.

At MoIAT, we have adopted the highest international standards in fields such as industry, advanced technology, construction, and services. This includes standards related to sustainability, such as environment and energy efficiency standards, as well as standards relating to the energy transition.

We recognize the importance of promoting sustainability practices in all areas covered by standards, which include conformity assessment procedures and accreditation systems, to enhance economic, environmental and social activities as well as quality of life. This recognition is part of our commitment to championing the principle of sustainable development across all sectors.

MoIAT's standards, regulations, conformity and national accreditation team works with stakeholders under a single national umbrella with the aim of building a prosperous future for society and the national economy.

The team is committed to raising awareness around sustainability among our institutions and partners and promoting the adoption of UN sustainability principles. And by embedding sustainability into the standards adopted in the UAE, we aim to support the country's economic, environmental, and social development policies and strategies.

The guidance set out in UAE.S ISO Guide 82: 2020 underpins the development of standards in the UAE and any standards that the country contribute to develop regionally and internationally . The document provides guidance on how to account for sustainability when drafting, reviewing and updating standards and technical regulations. The guide also outlines the methodology that standards development professionals can use to include sustainability when working on standards.

We also encourage institutions that adopt standards to develop programs that support sustainability within their strategies, projects and work. And we promote social responsibility by encouraging institutions to apply International Standard No. ISO 26000: 2010 Guidance on Social Responsibility, which has been adopted in the UAE to help achieve the SDGs.

We are working with our partners to develop and implement an effective standards ecosystem, and improve the quality infrastructure in line with the latest international standards and global practices to ensure the growth and excellence of national industry, as well as to enhance its sustainability and competitiveness.

In conclusion, in accordance with international best practices, the UAE adopts effective systems for implementing national strategies related to clean production and waste and pollution reduction by applying policies around sustainability, the environment, the circular economy and the responsible management of resources and energy.

As a ministry, we support sustainable development across all sectors by implementing policies and programs that contribute to achieving sustainability, to protecting resources and to improving the quality of life for current and future generations.

It is critical we succeed in this mission. At its heart, is an integrated and harmonious national framework underpinning all standards, quality infrastructure and regulation.

Dr. Farah Ali Al Zarooni

Assistant Undersecretary for Standards and Regulations Sector