The UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) has signed a partnership agreement with the UAE Ministry of Economy (MOEC) to drive circular economy.
The agreement creates a strategic framework for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship through the Circular Economy Cycle of the UICCA Launchpad Programme.
It highlights a mutual commitment to fuel sustainable economic growth by fostering a vibrant ecosystem for climate-focused startups. Under this collaboration, the MOEC will help promote the program, facilitate engagement with investors, and enhance regulatory alignment to enhance market access for green technologies.
The agreement was signed by Abdulla Al Saleh, Under-Secretary of the Foreign Trade and Industry Sector at the Ministry of Economy, and Zainab Aziz, General Counsel at UICCA. This was during the activities of the fourth edition of Investopia 2025, which took place in Abu Dhabi.
The signing ceremony was attended by Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and CEO of UICCA, and Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, and Chairman of the Circular Economy Council.
Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan President and CEO – UICCA
“Scaling circular economy solutions is a fundamental driver of the UAE’s sustainable economic vision. By adopting circular economy principles, the UAE is positioning itself as a global leader in sustainable development while fostering new economic opportunities and enhancing long-term competitiveness. The launch of the Circular Economy Cycle within the UICCA Launchpad Programme represents a pivotal step in this journey, providing a dedicated platform for innovators, entrepreneurs, and businesses to develop and scale transformative climate solutions. This initiative empowers creative thinkers to address pressing environmental challenges, such as resource depletion and climate change, while delivering economic benefits through sustainable business models. By offering resources, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities, the program accelerates the growth of innovations that align with the UAE’s ambitious sustainability goals.”
The CEO of UICCA also emphasized that the partnership with the Ministry of Economy highlights the UICCA’s unwavering commitment to fostering a dynamic ecosystem where sustainable businesses can thrive, scale, and make a meaningful contribution to the nation’s Net Zero aspirations.
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri stressed that the launch of the Circular Economy Cycle of the UICCA Launchpad Programme at Investopia 2025 reaffirms the country’s vision to drive investments to establish circular economic models and support sustainable projects.
Bin Touq added that, “The signing of the MoU between the Ministry of Economy and UICCA is a pivotal step towards accelerating the adoption of circular economy concepts at the national and regional levels, by empowering innovative startups that develop solutions to reuse resources and reduce the environmental footprint of productive sectors.”
UICCA announced that the Circular Economy Cycle of the Launchpad Programme will officially begin in May 2025. As a zero-equity, market-access-oriented program, the accelerator will support early-stage ventures developing cutting-edge solutions that eliminate or repurpose waste across key industries.
The registration portal is now live, accepting applications from local, regional, and international start-ups. Selected participants will gain access to tailored mentorship, investor engagement opportunities, and a network of key industry stakeholders committed to advancing sustainability-focused innovation.
Additionally, the Launchpad team held a roundtable discussion at Investopia 2025 to present key findings from the inaugural edition of the UICCA Policy Brief: Sustaining Start-ups – Bridging the Financial Gap in the UAE Climate-Tech Ecosystem.
UICCA ensures that its accelerator participants receive ongoing support beyond the start-up phase, helping them navigate the complexities of scaling their operations and driving long-term impact.
