Abu Dhabi Environment Agency Delegation Wraps Up Netherlands Visit on Sustainability and AI Collaboration

Photo : Abu Dhabi Media Office

A high-level delegation from the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) recently completed a week-long knowledge exchange tour in the Netherlands, aimed at exploring collaboration opportunities and discussing cutting-edge innovations in the fields of environment, sustainability, and artificial intelligence. The visit spanned from October 7 to 14 and included engagements with industry stakeholders in both Amsterdam and The Hague.

During their time in the Netherlands, the EAD delegation attended several key sustainability-focused events and participated in the prestigious World Summit AI, which is renowned for exploring how artificial intelligence can be employed in an equitable, inclusive, and secure manner. The summit served as a platform for discussions on the significant impact of AI, ethical considerations, and its implications for sustainability and governance.

Throughout the tour, the EAD delegates met with government officials, C-suite executives, and sustainability officers from various industries to exchange insights on pressing topics such as decarbonization and energy transition. Discussions highlighted low-carbon solutions, including green hydrogen, and addressed the complexities of developing policies for hard-to-abate sectors.

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At the World Summit AI, the EAD team engaged in discussions about the balance between human values and the advancements of AI, questioning how to democratize this transformative technology for societal benefit. The summit provided a valuable opportunity to examine the interplay between ethical considerations and sustainability initiatives.

In addition to the summit, the EAD delegation held a pivotal meeting with representatives from TNO, an independent research organization in the Netherlands. TNO specializes in converting scientific knowledge into practical applications for both industry and society. The discussion centered around advanced technologies for monitoring air pollution, with EAD sharing its methods for tracking particulate matter and nitrogen oxides (NOx). TNO also presented its water purification technologies designed to mitigate contaminants like microplastics and harmful chemicals. These insights are expected to enhance EAD's initiatives under the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy.

Furthermore, the EAD team engaged with officials from Rijkswaterstaat, the Dutch Government’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. This meeting facilitated a comparison of best practices in air and water quality monitoring and management between Abu Dhabi and Amsterdam. Both sides focused on the challenges posed by climate change, particularly in developing resilience strategies for coastal areas—a concern shared by both nations.

The delegation also collaborated with Deltares, an independent Dutch research institute specializing in water and subsurface systems. They attended a presentation showcasing innovative solutions for water management, climate adaptation, and flood protection, including advanced models for optimizing water treatment and wastewater management.

Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, emphasized the importance of the visit in aligning with Abu Dhabi's vision for a sustainable and healthy environment. She stated, “This trip to the Netherlands enhances our capability to scale our environmental initiatives and improve the quality of life for our residents. By learning from the best practices of industry leaders in the Netherlands, we can adapt these insights to our unique environmental context in Abu Dhabi.”

Dr. Al Dhaheri also noted that the delegation shared successes from Abu Dhabi's environmental initiatives, bolstering the emirate’s reputation as a key player in environmental stewardship.

This visit to the Netherlands marks the first in a series of roadshows organized by the EAD to stay informed about best-in-class and emerging technological solutions in the rapidly evolving fields of environment and sustainability, ensuring the agency’s readiness for future challenges.