UAE University Hosts International Conference on Climate Action and Sustainability

The UAE University launched its first International Conference on Climate Action and Sustainability (ICCAS-2025), bringing together global experts to tackle climate challenges. The four-day event reflects the UAE's commitment to environmental leadership, following the legacy of founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Zaki Anwar Nusseibah, cultural advisor to the UAE President and the university's supreme president, welcomed participants from around the world. He emphasized how the conference embodies the UAE's environmental approach, which stems from Sheikh Zayed's belief that caring for the environment means caring for humanity itself.

"Sheikh Zayed's legacy of respecting nature and balancing development with environmental protection remains the compass guiding our nation toward a sustainable future," Nusseibah said. "We are responsible for the resources we pass on to future generations."

The conference goes beyond academic discussions. It serves as a bridge connecting countries, disciplines, and generations. Participants can exchange expertise, ask critical questions, and explore solutions that link research with real-world action.

**Eight Research Areas Take Center Stage**

The program covers eight major research tracks that address today's most pressing environmental challenges. These include clean energy, batteries, and fuel cells, plus carbon capture and utilization technologies. Participants also explore advanced manufacturing, sustainable catalysts, and how space technology and artificial intelligence can support sustainability goals.

The conference examines the complex relationship between energy, water, and food systems. Green building innovations get significant attention, along with education, policy frameworks, and circular economy models.

**Who's Attending and Why It Matters**

The event draws academics, researchers, industry experts, environmental consultants, government agencies, and NGOs. Graduate students get special support through free registration for selected abstracts and publication opportunities in peer-reviewed journals.

This timing is significant for the UAE's climate strategy. The country has been positioning itself as a regional leader in renewable energy and sustainability initiatives. The conference provides a platform to showcase domestic innovations while learning from international best practices.

For the global climate community, events like this matter because they create concrete pathways for collaboration. When universities, governments, and industry meet, they can move beyond theoretical discussions to practical solutions. The UAE's focus on connecting "thought and action, science and society" reflects this practical approach.

The conference represents more than academic networking. It's part of the UAE's broader effort to build its reputation as a hub for climate innovation in the Middle East, especially as the region faces mounting environmental pressures from rising temperatures and water scarcity.