The UAE has launched its first national exhibition at the United Nations (UN) High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development 2025, highlighting its commitment to advancing the global efforts toward the SDGs.
Titled “Shaping Tomorrow: UAE Leadership for a Sustainable Future,” the exhibition is the first of its kind by the UAE, providing an interactive experience that showcases the UAE’s journey in supporting sustainable development goals since the Rio Summit in 2000. It is also the extension of the dialogue initiated by the UAE in the Government Experience Exchange Programme during the World Government Summit 2023.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Her Excellency Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General; His Excellency Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN; His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange and Chair of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, and head of the UAE delegation participating in the HLPF; alongside representatives from international organizations and government delegations from around the world.
The event was organized jointly by a number of entities: the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Investment, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), Dubai Chambers, and Noor Dubai Foundation, a member of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI).
The exhibition presents the framework of sustainable development goals as an ambitious vision for the UAE beyond 2030, based on the following pillars:
Integrating sustainability into national policies and legislation
Monitoring impact through accurate indicators and data
Developing a flexible development model through ‘Future Zones’
Strengthening international partnerships through knowledge sharing, particularly through the Government Experience Exchange Programme.
His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Lootah commented that, “The UAE is committed to sharing best practices and successful experiences with partners around the world. The ‘Shaping Tomorrow” exhibition embodies the UAE’s vision for a global development pathway based on partnership, knowledge sharing and innovation. This reflects the UAE’s approach to creating solutions that can be scaled globally and reflects its commitment to supporting global dialogue on the post-2030 era. This includes initiatives like the Government Experience Exchange Programme.”
The exhibition also highlighted key national development efforts. The Ministry of Interior showcased its “Green Justice” initiative in Latin America, aimed at addressing transnational environmental crimes, as part of its efforts supporting SDG 17.
Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) presented its contributions to financing projects in over 100 countries, focused on supporting infrastructure, education and renewable energy.
The Supreme Committee for Motherhood and Childhood highlighted the “National Child Empowerment Guide” and the “Emirati Children’s Parliament” initiatives, to empower women and children. Noor Dubai Foundation showcased its pioneering model for combating visual impairments in support of SDG 3, such as the iBSAR project in Asia and Africa.
EAD highlighted initiatives such as the “Marine Turtle Protection Program” and smart monitoring technologies for coral reefs in support of SDG 5, reaffirming its commitment to protecting marine ecosystems.
These initiatives reflect the integration between the UAE’s national vision and its global commitments, by linking local policies with international development goal.
