The UAE Ministry of Economy has unveiled a new “Green Intellectual Property (IP)” roadmap, a three-month plan designed to stimulate innovation, accelerate technology localization, and foster new projects in the green economy, environmental sustainability, and circular economy. The initiative aims to boost the UAE’s IP competitiveness and support its transition to a circular economy.

“The UAE has succeeded in adopting qualitative initiatives and projects for the intellectual property sector, positioning it as one of the key pillars for building a strong and sustainable national economy,” said Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the UAE Circular Economy Council.

The roadmap is intended to raise awareness of the importance of green technology and innovation, enhancing the UAE’s attractiveness for sustainable ventures and solidifying its position among the world’s most innovative nations, in line with the “We the UAE 2031” vision. 

Al Marri added that the initiative coincides with Innovation Month and will involve collaboration with local environmental stakeholders and the World Intellectual Property Organization.

The roadmap has several key objectives, including a program to expedite the registration of patents related to sustainable technologies, aiming to increase the proportion of such patents to 8% of total patent registrations. 

It also seeks to strengthen legal frameworks protecting environmental sustainability patents, particularly given the growing number of patent applications, which reached approximately 3,622 in 2024.

At a media briefing in Dubai, Abdulla Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, emphasized the UAE’s longstanding commitment to sustainability. 

He highlighted the roadmap’s goal of promoting sustainable products and services through the adoption of digital solutions and advanced technology. The Ministry plans to forge partnerships with academia and research centers to integrate IP into sustainable innovations and protect the rights of eco-friendly projects.

“The new roadmap for Green IP aims to promote the adoption of leading digital solutions and advanced technology by individuals, organisations, and companies to produce sustainable products and services that contribute to environmental conservation,” Al Saleh stated.

Al Saleh underscored the UAE’s robust legislative framework for IP, including laws on industrial property rights, trademarks, and copyrights. The UAE is a global leader in IP and innovation, currently ranking first regionally in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2024.