Headed by Dr. Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Department of Energy (DoE), a delegation from the DoE conducted an official visit to Singapore and Japan, aimed at strengthening strategic collaboration in the areas of water resources management and sustainable energy.

The primary goals of the visit revolved around the exchange of the most recent expertise, knowledge, and best practices concerning rainwater and floodwater management through smart technologies and climate-resilient infrastructure, alongside promoting water resources sustainability.

The delegation also aimed to investigate novel innovative solutions for water resources planning and demand management, supporting Abu Dhabi's strategic initiatives in water security. Furthermore, the visit provided a significant chance to forge strategic partnerships with governmental bodies and premier companies in Singapore and Japan.

On this aspect, Dr. Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, DoE Chairman, reiterated the Department's dedication to nurturing international collaboration and sharing experiences in water resource management and sustainable energy.

He explained that collaborations with governmental entities, research organisations, and pioneering firms in Singapore and Japan present a valuable opportunity to leverage the latest advanced technologies and innovative practices, which aids in improving resource efficiency and realising strategic objectives in the sustainability domain.

He stated, "We firmly believe at the DoE that tackling climate challenges necessitates effective, integrated actions and well-established international collaborations. We aim to collaborate with leading nations in the sustainability field to devise potent solutions that can satisfy and support the water and energy security needs of coming generations. We remain committed to close and productive collaboration with our local and global partners to formulate and execute strategies and policies contributing to the realisation of Abu Dhabi's and the UAE's goals concerning sustainability and resource use efficiency."

While in Singapore, the DoE delegation was welcomed by Jamal Abdulla Al Suwaidi, the UAE Ambassador to Singapore. Their meeting focused on discussing avenues for strengthening cooperation with Singapore in energy and water, sharing expertise on sustainable infrastructure development, utilising smart technologies for managing water resources and energy, and investigating potential public-private partnerships.

Additionally, the discussion covered the UAE's clean energy transition efforts towards achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and examined Singapore's leading practices in stormwater management and energy efficiency, with the objective of supporting Abu Dhabi's strategies for enhancing sectoral sustainability and innovation.

The DoE’s delegation reviewed Singapore's sophisticated solutions for rainwater management and flood mitigation, along with intelligent strategies for water resource planning. Several strategic meetings were held with high-level Singaporean officials, including a key discussion with Dr. Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, focusing on collaborative avenues in sustainability and water management.

Meetings were also conducted with representatives from the Public Utilities Board (PUB) and SpaceAge Labs concerning AI technologies for water solutions. Furthermore, the delegation visited landmark projects like the Marina Barrage and Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, recognised internationally as an example of climate-resilient infrastructure.

In the energy sector, the delegation examined opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy fields with Tuas Power. The visit's schedule further featured a meeting with the Energy Market Authority (EMA) and a visit to the Water Research Centre at the National University of Singapore (NUS) to delve into the horizons for research and development concerning water resources management.

The visit to Japan featured high-level encounters and site visits, including engagements with the Japan Water Agency (JWA), the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), and specialised firms like WOTA and Kajima. These interactions focused on potential cooperation in water resources management, AI technology applications, and crafting innovative solutions for climate change challenges.

The delegation also visited significant strategic projects, such as the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel and the vast subterranean structure nicknamed the Underground Cathedral, to observe Japan's latest floodwater management technologies.