BLOG: The NEP Experience

January 16, 2025 | Emirates Foundation, Abu Dhabi

On the occasion of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025, NEP hosted H.E. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, former President of Iceland and Chairman of the Arctic Circle for a panel discussion at Emirates Foundation.

Former President Grímsson shared Iceland’s remarkable journey to becoming a leader in renewable energy, illustrating how small nations can leverage innovation to address global challenges such as climate change and energy transitions. Drawing parallels to the UAE, H.E. Grímsson encouraged bold, forward-thinking leadership and highlighted the power of cross-border collaboration in driving impactful solutions.

The panel discussion featured UAE insights on sustainability from three NEP experts. NEP 4.0 expert Dr. Hind Alameri highlighted the critical role of marine biodiversity conservation in sustainability efforts. NEP Fellow Maitha Al Hameli discussed how strategies that balance economic resilience with sustainability can create lasting change. NEP Fellow Ali Alshimmari proposed strategies to enhance the UAE’s role in the global energy transition, aligning with its vision for net-zero emissions by 2050. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, where experts engaged H.E. Grímsson and the panelists, exploring actionable strategies to integrate these lessons into their National Priority Journeys.