A field of solar panels at Saudi Arabias King Abdulaziz City of Sciences and Technology. Saudi Arabia plans to add gas and renewables capacity equating to one million barrels of oil per day by 2030. Fahad Shadeed / Reuters
A field of solar panels at Saudi Arabias King Abdulaziz City of Sciences and Technology. Saudi Arabia plans to add gas and renewables capacity equating to one million barrels of oil per day by 2030. Fahad Shadeed / Reuters
A field of solar panels at Saudi Arabias King Abdulaziz City of Sciences and Technology. Saudi Arabia plans to add gas and renewables capacity equating to one million barrels of oil per day by 2030. Fahad Shadeed / Reuters
A field of solar panels at Saudi Arabias King Abdulaziz City of Sciences and Technology. Saudi Arabia plans to add gas and renewables capacity equating to one million barrels of oil per day by 2030. F

Saudi Arabia joins global oil producers to form 'net-zero forum'


Jennifer Gnana
  • English
  • Arabic

Saudi Arabia, the world's largest exporter of crude, joined other major oil and gas producers such as the US, Canada, Norway and Qatar to establish a net-zero producers forum to implement the Paris Agreement's targets of lowering emissions.

The kingdom will adopt a circular carbon economy approach to help manage its emissions, a ministry official quoted by the Saudi Press Agency said.

"The overall goal of the Paris agreement is to strengthen global response in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty, and in order to achieve this there must be a comprehensive methodology that takes into account the different national and regional circumstances," the statement said.

President Joe Biden on Thursday unveiled a target to halve the carbon emissions of the US – the world's largest producer of oil and gas –  by 2030 from its 2005 levels.

The ambitious goal set by the world's second-biggest polluter after China marks a stark reversal in the policies of Mr Biden's predecessor Donald Trump, whose tenure was marked by inaction on climate change, a withdrawal from the Paris Accord and relaxed pollution rules.

Mr Biden also announced that by 2024, the US would double its annual assistance to help developing countries cope with the effects of climate change.

Saudi Arabia plans to add gas and renewables capacity equating to one million barrels of oil per day by 2030, according to the country's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The kingdom is looking to green its power mix and export more barrels of oil. It is also committing to lowering emissions and the energy impact of fossil fuels as part of its diversification strategy for 2030.

Brave CF 27 fight card

Welterweight:
Abdoul Abdouraguimov (champion, FRA) v Jarrah Al Selawe (JOR)

Lightweight:
Anas Siraj Mounir (TUN) v Alex Martinez (CAN)

Welterweight:
Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA) v Khamzat Chimaev (SWE)

Middleweight:
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Rustam Chsiev (RUS)
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) v Christofer Silva (BRA)

Super lightweight:
Alex Nacfur (BRA) v Dwight Brooks (USA)

Bantamweight:
Jalal Al Daaja (JOR) v Tariq Ismail (CAN)
Chris Corton (PHI) v Zia Mashwani (PAK)

Featherweight:
Sulaiman (KUW) v Abdullatip (RUS)

Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) v Mohammad Al Katib (JOR)

Meydan racecard:

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (PA) Group 1 | US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres

7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) Listed | $250,000 (D) 1,600m

7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) Conditions $100,000 (Turf) 1,400m

8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m

8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) | 2,000m

10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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