Dr Al Jaber has long-standing experience of advocacy on environment related matters, having spearheaded a clean energy agenda for almost 15 years Courtesy: Adnoc
Dr Al Jaber has long-standing experience of advocacy on environment related matters, having spearheaded a clean energy agenda for almost 15 years Courtesy: Adnoc
Dr Al Jaber has long-standing experience of advocacy on environment related matters, having spearheaded a clean energy agenda for almost 15 years Courtesy: Adnoc
Dr Al Jaber has long-standing experience of advocacy on environment related matters, having spearheaded a clean energy agenda for almost 15 years Courtesy: Adnoc

Environment

Dr Sultan Al Jaber appointed UAE special envoy for climate change

Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology will represent the country in all international forums and meetings related to 'vital issue' that tops the global agenda

The National

November 30, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Dr Sultan Al Jaber was on Sunday appointed as the UAE's special envoy for climate change.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, announced the appointment after a Cabinet meeting.

"We have adopted the mandate of Sultan Al Jaber as special envoy for the UAE in the field of climate change. To represent the state in all external forums and all international understandings related to this vital issue, which will be at the top of the international agenda concerning the future of the world," Sheikh Mohammed said.

During the meeting, the Cabinet also adopted an environmental policy, which includes prioritising conservation, air quality, sustainable agricultural and the safe management of waste and chemicals.

Dr Al Jaber has extensive experience of advocacy on environment-related matters, having led a clean energy agenda for almost 15 years.

Having previously been in a similar role between 2010 and 2016, Dr Al Jaber is currently the Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and group chief executive of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. At Adnoc, he oversaw a transformation of the state-owned producer over the past four years that has made it a more efficient and technology-led organisation.

Adnoc is currently one of the top five lowest greenhouse gas emitters in the oil and gas industry and has one of the lowest methane intensities in the world. It is also expanding its carbon capture, utilisation and storage programme.

This month, Dr Al Jaber told the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference that Adnoc would pursue the potential of new fuels, such as hydrogen.

“We all have a role to play and we as an industry can do more on climate change,” he said.

Dr Al Jaber has been chairman of Abu Dhabi's clean energy company Masdar, which has developed more than 12GW of renewable energy capacity in 25 countries since 2006. Dr Al Jaber also helped the UAE successfully bid in 2009 to locate the headquarters of the UN's International Renewable Energy Agency in Abu Dhabi. That same year, he was appointed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to his Advisory Group on Energy and Climate Change.

War on waste
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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