Introduction
The UAE’s national development agenda does not operate in isolation from the international frameworks that govern global cooperation on development, climate, and governance. We the UAE 2031 is explicitly designed to align with and contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement on climate change, and a range of multilateral commitments that the federation has undertaken. This alignment serves both practical and strategic purposes: it ensures that domestic policy development benefits from international best practice, and it positions the UAE as a credible contributor to global governance discussions.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
The UAE was among the first nations to establish a national committee for SDG implementation, reflecting the federation’s commitment to integrating the 2030 Agenda into domestic policy planning. The Ministry of Cabinet Affairs coordinates SDG reporting, with individual federal entities assigned responsibility for specific goals and their associated targets.
SDG Alignment with We the UAE 2031
| SDG | Goal Title | UAE Alignment Under We the UAE 2031 |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4 | Quality Education | Education Quality Index target of top-10 globally |
| SDG 7 | Affordable and Clean Energy | Clean energy capacity target of 19.8 GW by 2031 |
| SDG 8 | Decent Work and Economic Growth | GDP doubling target, non-oil diversification to 80%+ |
| SDG 9 | Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure | Operation 300bn industrial strategy, AED 300B target |
| SDG 11 | Sustainable Cities and Communities | Smart city programmes, Masdar City, Expo City Dubai |
| SDG 13 | Climate Action | Net Zero 2050 strategy, COP28 UAE Consensus legacy |
| SDG 16 | Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions | Government efficiency rankings, institutional reform |
| SDG 17 | Partnerships for the Goals | CEPA programme, BRICS, multilateral engagement expansion |
The UAE has submitted multiple Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) to the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, documenting progress across the SDG framework. Areas of strong performance include infrastructure development, clean energy investment, economic diversification, and institutional governance. Areas requiring continued attention include environmental sustainability metrics, labour market inclusivity, and water resource management.
Paris Agreement and Climate Commitments
The UAE ratified the Paris Agreement in 2016 and has submitted updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) outlining its emissions reduction pathway. The federation’s climate commitments are anchored by the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, announced in 2021, which targets economy-wide carbon neutrality by mid-century.
Key Climate Commitments
The UAE’s climate framework encompasses several interrelated commitments. The Net Zero 2050 strategy targets a 31% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 relative to business-as-usual projections, with full carbon neutrality by 2050. The clean energy target under We the UAE 2031 calls for 19.8 GW of installed capacity by the end of the decade, supported by the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, expanding solar capacity, and emerging hydrogen production projects. The UAE Energy Strategy 2050, updated following COP28, targets a power generation mix comprising 44% clean energy by 2050.
COP28 Legacy
The hosting of COP28 in November-December 2023 produced the UAE Consensus, which included landmark language on transitioning away from fossil fuels. The conference advanced the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund, secured pledges on renewable energy tripling and energy efficiency doubling by 2030, and completed the first Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement. The COP28 legacy is now integrated into the UAE’s domestic climate governance framework, with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment coordinating follow-through on conference commitments.
Multilateral Governance Participation
Beyond the SDGs and Paris Agreement, the UAE participates in a broad range of international governance frameworks that shape its domestic policy environment. Membership in the World Trade Organization, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA, headquartered in Abu Dhabi), the International Atomic Energy Agency, and numerous UN specialised agencies provides both obligations and platforms for influence.
The UAE’s accession to BRICS in January 2024 expanded its multilateral portfolio, providing access to the New Development Bank and participation in discussions on international financial architecture reform. Simultaneously, the federation maintains strategic partnerships with NATO (as a partner nation), bilateral defence agreements with the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, and active participation in the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The CEPA trade agreement programme, targeting 25 or more bilateral agreements by 2031, represents the UAE’s approach to embedding itself within the rules-based international trade system while securing preferential market access for its exporters and re-exporters.
Conclusion
The UAE’s engagement with international frameworks reflects a strategic calculation that global credibility and domestic development are mutually reinforcing. By aligning We the UAE 2031 with the SDGs, Paris Agreement, and multilateral governance structures, the federation ensures that its national ambitions are legible to international partners, investors, and institutions. This alignment also creates external accountability mechanisms that complement the domestic KPI monitoring system, reinforcing the discipline of the implementation framework.