In the future, a visit to the doctor may no longer begin when symptoms appear. Healthcare is shifting toward lifelong monitoring of patients’ health data, allowing doctors to identify potential risks and intervene years before diseases develop.

HARNESSING AI AND GENOMIC

While summit discussions explored how AI, genomics and advanced diagnostics could work together, several new partnerships focused on turning these technologies into practical tools for doctors.

Abu Dhabi-based healthcare technology group M42 announced a partnership with bioinformatics company Inocras to pilot blood tests designed to detect cancer recurrence before it becomes visible on conventional scans.

The pilot, based at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, will focus on patients with higher-risk breast cancers. Using Inocras’ MRDVision technology, researchers will analyze fragments of tumor DNA circulating in the bloodstream to identify possible signs of cancer returning after treatment.

In another announcement, Abu Dhabi Biobank, a joint initiative between the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) and M42, partnered with AstraZeneca to explore how genetic information and medical records could help predict Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and rare conditions.

The partnership will draw on more than five million biological samples, alongside genomic information from the Emirati Genome Program and clinical records, to evaluate AstraZeneca’s AI-powered MILTON disease prediction platform.

A central objective is to assess how accurately the technology performs among Middle Eastern populations, which have historically been underrepresented in global biomedical research.

FOCUS ON WEARABLES

On the summit’s opening day, Future Health, an Abu Dhabi-based global initiative, released a white paper outlining how wearable devices could become part of preventive healthcare.

With an estimated two-thirds of the UAE population using wearables, Abu Dhabi is exploring how their data could help doctors identify health risks earlier.

The report identifies five priorities for clinical adoption, including technological compatibility, data privacy, regulation, acceptance among patients and doctors, and industry partnerships.

“Wearable technologies are giving us a more continuous picture of our health and creating new opportunities to identify risk earlier. Beyond individual data points, their largely untapped value lies in connecting those insights with the health system, to support earlier intervention and help people stay healthier for longer,” said Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health.

While wearables can track heart rate, sleep and other health indicators, concerns over accuracy, privacy and integration with hospital systems have limited their clinical use.

The white paper proposes a three-phase roadmap to address these barriers, moving from regulation and pilot programs to clinical integration and eventually the routine use of wearable data in medical decisions.

At the summit, Boston-based WHOOP announced a 24-month research partnership with DoH to test whether continuous monitoring and personalized coaching can improve cardiovascular and metabolic health.

An initial six-month study will follow adults with obesity and high blood pressure, examining changes in blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and sleep to assess whether fitness wearables could also support chronic disease management.

MAKING HEALTHCARE MORE EFFICIENT

Beyond predicting disease, the summit also highlighted how AI could reduce administrative workloads and make healthcare services more efficient.

M42 unveiled Ossi, an AI platform developed in partnership with Microsoft that uses four specialized agents to document consultations, summarize medical records, retrieve clinical information and assist with medical coding.

The platform has been deployed across seven M42 healthcare facilities in the UAE and Bahrain. The company estimates it could allow doctors to spend up to 60% more time with patients by reducing administrative tasks.

Burjeel Medical City, the flagship hospital of Burjeel Holdings, also signed an agreement with HealthStay to introduce an AI-powered system for managing patient referrals and admissions.

The platform is intended to bring domestic referrals and international patient inquiries into a single system, helping hospital teams coordinate appointments, specialist consultations and treatment arrangements.

“For patients seeking complex care, the journey begins long before they arrive at the hospital. Timely access to the right specialist, clear communication, and coordinated decision-making are essential, particularly when patients are referred from other facilities or traveling internationally for treatment,” said Dr. Mujtaba Ali Khan, CEO of Burjeel Medical City.

Separately, AstraZeneca and Oracle announced a partnership to use AI to accelerate clinical trials and improve patient care pathways, with the first program planned for Abu Dhabi in collaboration with M42.

The initiative will explore how AI can identify patients with uncontrolled hypertension and match eligible individuals with clinical trials, potentially making recruitment more efficient and helping patients access emerging treatments.

TURNING RESEARCH INTO NEW TREATMENTS

Beyond predicting disease and improving patient care, the summit also explored how advances in genomics and AI could accelerate the development of more targeted treatments.

Future Health and Strategy& Middle East unveiled a blueprint outlining how Abu Dhabi could use its genomic data, research infrastructure and clinical expertise to bring next-generation therapies into clinical practice.

“Scientific advances are changing what is possible in medicine, giving us new ways to understand disease and develop increasingly precise treatments,” said Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. “The opportunity now is to ensure that this progress can be translated into therapies that deliver meaningful outcomes for patients.”

The report forecasts that cell and gene therapies, alongside RNA- and DNA-based treatments, could grow seven- to eightfold globally by 2033, highlighting the potential of genetic research to improve drug development.

Expanding clinical research is part of that effort. AstraZeneca and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi announced a partnership with the DoH to launch up to 30 clinical trials by 2030, potentially attracting $50 million in research investment.

The trials will focus on cardiovascular, kidney and metabolic diseases, with six expected to begin by the end of 2026. The agreement aims to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s capacity to test emerging treatments and give patients greater access to clinical research.

A SHIFT FROM EXTENDING LIFESPAN TO HEALTHSPAN

Beyond technological innovation, the summit highlighted a broader ambition to extend not just how long people live, but how many of those years they spend in good health.

The Institute for Healthier Living Abu Dhabi (IHLAD) showcased how AI, advanced diagnostics and clinical research could support healthy longevity, while emphasizing the need for scientific evidence before new approaches enter medical practice.

The institute signed an agreement with the UAE Integrative Medicine Council to investigate the safety and effectiveness of integrative treatments, including selected traditional Emirati medical practices.

“Abu Dhabi has recognized that the future of healthcare cannot be built on treating disease alone. It requires a shift towards understanding health earlier, predicting risks more accurately and translating scientific evidence into meaningful action,” said Allan Boston, Chief Operating Officer of IHLAD.

The real test will come after the summit, as Abu Dhabi seeks to turn research partnerships and emerging technologies into measurable health improvements. Predicting disease is one step. Proving that earlier intervention can help people live healthier for longer is the next.

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The UAE plans to expand its investments in Greece over the next five to eight years, targeting sectors including energy, hospitality, artificial intelligence, technology, industry and infrastructure, according to Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade.

Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Zeyoudi said the plans were announced during the visit of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and his meeting with the Greek prime minister.

He said previous UAE investments in Greece, made four years ago, had supported projects in renewable energy, healthcare and technology, highlighting their role in strengthening bilateral economic ties.

The visit coincided with Investopia Mediterranean and the UAE-Greece Strategic Forum, which brought together government officials, investors and business leaders from both countries.

During the visit, 18 memoranda of understanding covering government, investment and economic cooperation were announced, with a combined value of approximately $14.8 billion. The agreements cover Emirati investments in Greek real estate, healthcare, food, renewable energy and AI infrastructure, Al Zeyoudi said.

He described Greece as a strategic logistics hub and a historic gateway to Eastern Europe, citing its maritime capabilities.

On economic relations between the UAE and the European Union, Al Zeyoudi said negotiations were ongoing, with the latest round, held approximately two weeks ago, making more progress than previous discussions. He also highlighted Greece’s role in advancing these ties.

Bilateral trade between the UAE and Greece reached approximately $300 million in the first half of 2026, marking a 13% increase despite regional geopolitical challenges, according to Al Zeyoudi. He attributed the growth to the strength of bilateral relations and a shared commitment to expanding economic cooperation.

Al Zeyoudi said the UAE’s overseas investments support economic diversification, the international expansion of successful domestic projects and the exchange of expertise, particularly in technology. He added that the UAE’s credibility as an international investor was essential to building long-term partnerships and strengthening investor confidence.

He also pointed to opportunities for the UAE to draw on Greek expertise in hospitality, logistics, maritime transport, fisheries, agriculture and energy technology, including through cooperation to transfer this knowledge to other Mediterranean markets.

Several UAE-backed projects in Greece have been completed, particularly in energy and cross-border interconnections, Al Zeyoudi said. He expressed optimism about further investment opportunities as Greece continues its economic recovery from debt-related challenges.

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YouTube highlighted the role of creators in shaping culture and driving audience engagement across the Middle East and North Africa at its annual Brandcast advertiser event.

According to a Kantar survey, 79% of Gen Z viewers aged 18 to 27 in Saudi Arabia and the UAE prefer watching content from their favorite creators over studio-produced shows or movies.

The survey also found that 88% use YouTube to research purchasing decisions, ranking it as their top platform for product reviews and information.

Meanwhile, 66% of surveyed viewers in the two markets said they would rather watch a video than read text or listen to audio when researching a potential travel destination.

At Brandcast, YouTube introduced three creator-led shows, presenting Ramadan programming and travel entertainment to brand leaders and agency executives.

Chef & Fesh, hosted by AbuRob, is a Ramadan cooking series in which a professional chef and her husband compete to recreate dishes without recipes before iftar. AbuRob’s channel has more than 17 million subscribers.

Another show, Jahzen wela lesa? (Ready or Not?), is an eight-episode studio entertainment series hosted by family and lifestyle creator Azza Zarour, whose channel has 11 million subscribers. The program features expecting parents and friends taking part in parenting challenges.

The third, Unique Stays Travel Series, follows gaming and lifestyle creator Sh5baar, who has 10 million subscribers, as he visits unusual properties worldwide and explores local culture, food and neighborhoods.

YouTube said its platform allows advertisers to reach audiences across different formats and devices, from short-form videos on Shorts to product reviews, podcasts and long-form content viewed on connected TVs.

Kantar research found that 91% of surveyed viewers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE agreed that YouTube allows them to explore topics in greater depth. The same share of surveyed Gen Z viewers said the platform gives them access to content they strongly relate to.

“People come to YouTube with clear intent, whether to learn, be entertained, or find recommendations on what to buy,” said Javid Aslanov, Head of YouTube MENA. “Our creators build trusted relationships with their audiences, from a snackable Short on mobile to a full series watched with family in the living room. YouTube is the only platform that offers advertisers a way to connect with leaned-in, engaged viewers across every screen, in every format.”

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The UAE plans to invest up to $54.5 billion in clean energy projects through 2030 as the country’s renewable energy capacity has increased more than 63-fold over the past decade.

Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said the investment would support clean energy development and meet rising electricity demand driven by economic and population growth.

Speaking ahead of World Energy Day on October 22, Al Mazrouei said the UAE’s renewable energy capacity rose from 129 megawatts in 2015 to more than 8.2 gigawatts in 2025.

Clean energy accounted for 32.4% of the country’s electricity generation in 2025, with the UAE targeting a share of 35% by 2031.

Al Mazrouei said the planned investment of up to $54.5 billion through 2030 would help expand clean energy projects and support growing demand. The strategy also includes greater private-sector participation and stronger partnerships across the energy industry.

“Our vision for the future of energy is based on the understanding that energy security and emissions reduction are complementary goals. A successful energy transition requires a diversified energy mix that ensures reliable supplies, increases the share of clean energy, and meets future demand,” he said.

He added that the UAE was taking a long-term approach to energy planning, combining investment in generation capacity with improvements in energy efficiency.

The country’s energy mix includes renewable and nuclear power. The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant has a generation capacity of 5.6GW and supplies 25% of the UAE’s electricity needs, according to Al Mazrouei. The plant also prevents 22.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

The UAE has increased the targeted generation capacity of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park by 60% for 2030, further expanding its renewable energy ambitions.

Meanwhile, Masdar’s investments have reached approximately $45 billion, helping expand its clean energy portfolio to more than 65GW. The company aims to increase its portfolio to 100GW by 2030.

Alongside domestic projects, the UAE is expanding international investments and partnerships to diversify its energy mix and strengthen energy security.

Al Mazrouei also highlighted the UAE Consensus, which established a global goal of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030, and the Global Energy Efficiency Alliance, which supports efforts to double the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements.

The UAE plans to accelerate energy projects, attract private investment and deploy new technologies while improving efficiency and reducing emissions to meet future demand.

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Egyptian real estate developer Talaat Moustafa Group (TMG) has signed an agreement with the government to develop four mixed-use projects with targeted investments of $202.3 billion, according to Asharq Business.

The projects cover more than 37 million square meters across East Cairo, Alexandria, Abu Qir and the North Coast.

TMG CEO and Managing Director Hisham Talaat Moustafa said at the Egypt Forum 2026 in the New Administrative Capital that the developments are expected to generate around 6 million direct and indirect jobs and $44.1 billion in direct and indirect tax revenue.

The plans include a new development north of Madinaty in East Cairo, an integrated urban community in Alexandria, a project combining industrial, logistics, real estate and tourism activities near Abu Qir port, and a coastal destination on the North Coast modelled on the group’s South Med development.

The Abu Qir project accounts for the largest share of planned investment, at approximately $91.9 billion, across around 10 million square meters. It is expected to generate about $20.2 billion in direct and indirect tax revenue.

The development is planned as an integrated economic zone linking the port and free zone with industrial facilities, logistics, commercial operations, residential communities and tourism activities. The group says the project is intended to attract foreign investment and strengthen Egypt’s production and export capacity by leveraging Abu Qir’s location on the Mediterranean.

In East Cairo, TMG plans to develop approximately 5 million square meters of land along the corridor connecting the Suez Road with Madinaty. The project carries targeted investments of around $58.8 billion and expected direct and indirect tax revenue exceeding $12.9 billion.

The development is intended to combine residential, commercial, administrative and entertainment facilities, expanding urban and service activity in the area around Madinaty.

The proposed Alexandria project will cover around 11.3 million square meters, with targeted investments of approximately $31.3 billion and projected direct and indirect tax revenue of around $6.9 billion. TMG plans to develop an integrated urban community modelled on its Al Rehab, Madinaty and Noor projects.

On the North Coast, the group plans a new destination spanning approximately 10.4 million square meters between kilometers 147 and 151 of the coastal road. The project carries targeted investments of around $17.8 billion and expected direct and indirect tax revenue of approximately $4 billion.

Moustafa attributed the planned expansion to demand for coastal developments, citing the performance of South Med, which launched in 2024. He said cumulative sales at the project had reached around $9.7 billion, with 27,000 units sold.

The four projects follow TMG’s announcement in April of The Spine, a development on the outskirts of Cairo with planned investments of $27 billion at the time. Bloomberg reported that the project spans more than 2 million square metres and includes 165 residential, office and commercial towers.

Moustafa said the new agreement builds on TMG’s partnerships with the state through projects including Al Rehab, Madinaty, Noor and South Med. The four developments are intended to increase the economic value of assets, attract investment, support exports and tourism, and establish integrated urban and economic communities.

However, the announced investment, employment and tax revenue figures remain targets. Details on project timelines, financing arrangements and the division of investment commitments between TMG and the government were not provided in the available announcement.

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ADNOC is set to announce new opportunities for local manufacturers across its multi-billion-dollar project pipeline at the second edition of the Make it with ADNOC Forum, as part of efforts to accelerate industrial growth and support the UAE’s Make it in the Emirates initiative.

Scheduled for October 25 at Emirates Palace, ahead of ADIPEC, the forum will bring together industry leaders, UAE and international companies, investors, and strategic partners to explore opportunities for expanding domestic manufacturing and strengthening supply chains.

The event follows the inaugural forum held in May 2026, during which ADNOC announced AED 200 billion ($55 billion) in planned project awards for the 2026–2028 period.

At this year’s gathering, ADNOC will outline new manufacturing opportunities across its value chain, enabling local companies to tap into its expanding project pipeline while supporting the UAE’s industrial resilience and economic diversification.

The forum will also showcase progress under Local+, an initiative introduced during the first edition as part of ADNOC’s Industrial Resilience Programme. The initiative requires engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors to source selected products from approved UAE manufacturers, provided they meet ADNOC’s technical and qualification requirements and remain commercially competitive.

Local+ builds on ADNOC’s In-Country Value (ICV) program, which has contributed more than AED 307 billion ($83.7 billion) to the UAE economy since its launch in 2018.

As part of its long-term industrial strategy, ADNOC aims to locally manufacture AED 90 billion ($24.5 billion) worth of products from its procurement pipeline by 2030. The company has already secured offtake agreements valued at AED 80 billion ($21.8 billion) for UAE-manufactured products.

These agreements have supported more than 96 manufacturers, with over 60% exporting to international markets. ADNOC’s partners have also invested AED 4.5 billion ($1.2 billion) in establishing new factories and developing advanced manufacturing capabilities across the UAE.

The upcoming forum will highlight ADNOC’s efforts to expand local production, attract industrial investment, and create new opportunities for manufacturers as the UAE works to strengthen its domestic industrial base.

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Middle Eastern ultra-high-net-worth families are prioritizing governance and succession planning as they prepare for business transitions, although many remain unprepared for a potential sale or transfer, according to the 2026 Family Barometer by Julius Baer and EY.

The report, the first collaboration between the two firms, surveyed more than 700 finance professionals. It found that more than four in five ultra-high-net-worth families globally own at least 50% of an operating company, yet only 2.3% are fully prepared for a sale or transfer, while 12% are largely prepared.

In the Middle East, 15% of families said they were fully or largely prepared for a transition, including 3.3% who were fully prepared and 11.7% who were largely prepared. Meanwhile, 58.3% described themselves as somewhat prepared, while 26.7% said they were not ready, compared with 29.5% globally.

For Middle Eastern families considering an exit, valuation expectations were the leading source of disagreement, cited by 60% of respondents. Emotional attachment to the business followed at 56.7%, while 55% pointed to disagreements over its future. Globally, emotional attachment was the most common source of conflict, cited by 60.6%.

Family governance ranked among the region’s top three priorities, while succession planning was the leading priority across all regions.

“What we consistently see is that the families who navigate these transitions with confidence are those who have put governance in place early, agreeing how decisions will be made and involving successors well before any handover takes place,” said Jean Pierre Dib, Co-Head Middle East & Africa at Julius Baer.

Planning for the period after a business sale also varies across regions. In the Middle East, 33.3% of families expect to rely on a family-only investment committee, compared with 24.3% globally. Another 18.3% said investment decisions would be made on an ad hoc basis without formal governance, below the global figure of 26.7%.

The report also found comparatively high levels of next-generation involvement in the region. Some 16.7% of Middle Eastern families give the next generation an equal say in post-sale strategy, compared with 12.3% globally. A further 45% consult younger family members without granting them voting rights, while no respondents in the region said they would exclude successors from post-sale decisions altogether.

Following a business exit, families in the Middle East and Asia are more likely to prioritize long-term growth, while preserving wealth is the leading objective among families in Europe and Latin America.

Beyond business transitions, political stability emerged as the leading societal concern for Middle Eastern families, while personal safety entered the region’s top three concerns for the first time. Intergenerational wealth transfer ranked second.

Geopolitical diversification was the leading investment priority globally and in the Middle East. Real estate ranked second in the region, compared with third globally, while inflation protection placed third.

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France has secured commitments from the UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to increase diesel supplies in the coming weeks, with the shipments expected to cover the equivalent of around 10% of the country’s usual diesel consumption, according to French government sources.

The agreements were secured during French President Emmanuel Macron’s Gulf tour as his government seeks to ease pressure from rising energy costs and address concerns over fuel availability. The additional supplies are also intended to help ease European energy prices, which have contributed to public discontent and protests in France.

The UAE and Bahrain have each committed to supplying 100,000 tons of diesel per month, although the duration of those arrangements has not been specified. Saudi Arabia has committed to supplying 95,000 tons a month in October and November, amounting to 190,000 tons over the two months.

The sales will be channeled through French energy company TotalEnergies, whose chief executive, Patrick Pouyanné, accompanied Macron on the trip. Pouyanné said France needed to secure supplies because it runs a diesel deficit and is a major importer. He added that the Saudi commitment was intended to ensure supplies continue beyond November.

European diesel prices have climbed to nearly $200 a barrel, compared with around $80 at the start of 2026, amid the war in Iran and Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries. The price increases have added to the cost-of-living pressures facing France, where some recent protests have turned violent.

Beyond energy, Macron’s visit has also focused on strengthening economic and defense ties with the UAE. On Tuesday, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Macron witnessed the exchange of a strategic defense partnership framework between the two countries in Abu Dhabi.

The framework was exchanged by Mohamed bin Mubarak Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of State for Defense Affairs, and Catherine Vautrin, France’s Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs.

The two leaders also witnessed the exchange of an agreement on implementing arrangements related to the defense industry. Separately, France and the UAE announced preliminary agreements covering energy, artificial intelligence and advanced technology, including cooperation involving Abu Dhabi-based companies and French start-up AMI Labs.

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As the UAE continues to invest in preventive healthcare and the use of technology to improve patient outcomes, wearable devices are increasingly moving beyond fitness tracking into clinical research. In Abu Dhabi, health authorities are exploring how continuous biometric data can help doctors identify health risks earlier, particularly in areas where timely intervention can make a significant difference.

Against this backdrop, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health (DoH) and ŌURA, a health intelligence platform and maker of the world’s smallest smart ring, today announced Project CRADLE (Capturing Risk And Detecting Labor signals in Elevated-risk pregnancies), a 24-month pilot study to research how biometric data from wearable technology can reveal early warning signs of spontaneous premature birth.

The initiative, known as Project CRADLE, will combine continuous biometric readings from ŌURA’s smart rings with clinical and genomic data to analyze whether changes in a pregnant woman’s physiological patterns can help predict premature labor.

The pilot will follow women from early pregnancy through delivery, using ŌURA rings to monitor and track heart rate, heart rate variability, sleep, and physical activity. Researchers will combine these readings with clinical outcomes to build a dataset tracking physiological changes throughout pregnancy.

The data will be used to investigate whether changes in a woman’s physiological patterns can provide reliable early warning signs of premature labor. Researchers will also assess whether these signals can be detected early enough for doctors to intervene, including early preventative treatments that support a baby’s lung and brain development or arranging a transfer to specialist neonatal care.

Announced at the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit, the pilot will focus on women with high-risk pregnancies and involve two healthcare institutions in the emirate, Corniche Hospital and Mediclinic Airport Road.

Premature birth, defined as delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy, affects approximately one in 10 births worldwide and remains one of the most difficult pregnancy complications to predict.

Currently, doctors have relied on medical history, symptoms, and clinical assessments to identify women at risk. However, research suggests that physiological indicators, including heart rate and heart rate variability, may change in the weeks leading up to delivery.

“In Abu Dhabi, we are building an intelligent health system of the future,” said Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi.

“Continuous sensing enables a shift from reactive care to healthcare that anticipates risk, detects warning signs sooner, and enables faster, more precise and personalized intervention,” he added.

The 24-month pilot marks the first research initiative under a broader partnership between the Department of Health and ŌURA, announced in May 2026, to explore how wearable technology could support preventive healthcare.

It is also the first of three planned pilot projects focused on women’s health and cardiometabolic health.

“For more than a decade, ŌURA has pioneered the science of what continuous physiological data can reveal about a person’s health,” said Tom Hale, CEO of ŌURA.

“Project CRADLE shows what could be possible when a forward-thinking health system combines clinical excellence with accurate, continuous monitoring,” Hale added.

The jointly designed research will operate as an IRB-approved study, within DoH’s data governance and Trusted Research Environment framework, and will include participants’ informed consent and standard clinical care throughout. ŌURA’s team of more than 50 in-house M.D.s and Ph.D.s will lead the wearable data science and analysis.

The next phase of the partnership will focus on pilot design, ethics approvals, and local evidence generation, creating a clear pathway toward broader integration within Abu Dhabi’s health system.

The study is expected to begin in the coming weeks, with results scheduled for publication in 2028.

If the findings demonstrate that wearable data can reliably identify premature labor risks, the technology could eventually be integrated into Abu Dhabi’s healthcare system, subject to further clinical evidence and regulatory approval.

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Oman-founded carbon removal company 44.01 has secured $11.7 million in carbon removal offtake agreements from US-based Frontier to remove and permanently store 20,932 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) between 2028 and 2031.

The agreement marks Frontier’s first purchase using in-situ mineralization, a process that converts carbon dioxide into solid minerals underground.

“This agreement marks an important step for 44.01: moving our technology from demonstration to commercial deployment,” said Talal Hasan, chief executive of 44.01. “Our focus is now on delivering at commercial scale, continuously improving performance and driving down costs, so that more customers can benefit from this technology.”

Frontier facilitates carbon removal purchases on behalf of companies including Stripe, Google, Shopify, Autodesk, H&M Group and Workday. The latest agreements aim to advance the technology beyond short-duration pilot injections towards continuous operations over several years.

Ella Hughes, technical program manager for carbon removal at Google, confirmed the company’s involvement in a social media post, saying, “Google is partnering with 44.01 via Frontier to advance in-situ mineralization (ISM).”

Hannah Bebbington Valori, head of Frontier, said the technology could expand access to permanent carbon storage in locations where conventional methods are economically unfeasible.

“Where we can store CO₂ shouldn’t limit where we can remove it. In-situ mineralization could expand the storage map, making permanent storage practical in places where conventional storage can’t be economically implemented. That’s why we’re purchasing from 44.01: to prove out the technology and ready it for commercial scale,” she said.

The process involves dissolving captured CO₂ in water and injecting the solution through wells into peridotite, a naturally occurring, magnesium-rich rock. The dissolved carbon reacts with the rock to form stable solid carbonates, permanently locking the carbon underground.

According to 44.01, the mineralization process can occur within one to three years. Where suitable reactive rocks are located near industrial emission sources, the approach could reduce the need for long-distance CO₂ pipelines and shipping.

Conventional geological storage typically involves injecting compressed CO₂ into deep underground formations. In-situ mineralization offers an alternative in locations where suitable sedimentary basins are unavailable or too costly to access.

The technology is particularly relevant to Oman, where extensive exposed peridotite formations provide suitable geological conditions. 44.01 said it has demonstrated its process in Oman and the UAE and identifies Oman as a potential source of additional carbon storage capacity.

The Frontier-backed project aims to demonstrate continuous operations and generate data on injection rates, water requirements and operating costs. The findings will help assess whether the technology can be scaled economically.

The results could clarify the potential for in-situ mineralization to support permanent carbon removal and emissions reductions in hard-to-abate industries, including cement and steel.

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