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23. The UAE is not a signatory to the Agreement on Government Procurement. Cabinet Resolution No. 4 of 2019 is the main law regulating government procurement at the federal level. It aims to unify procedures, reduce costs, and align the procurement system with international best practices. Under the legislation, a price preference of 10% is granted to: (i) SMEs with up to AED 10 million in capital that receive support under federal and local laws; (ii) green companies; and (iii) green goods and services produced in the UAE.

25. (...). Between 2016 and 2021, the UAE authorities launched several initiatives with the aim of achieving greater agricultural production, fostering food security, and rebuilding fish stocks.

26. The UAE Energy Strategy 2050, launched in 2017, is the first unified UAE energy strategy and aims to diversify the energy mix while mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. According to its recently updated Nationally Determined Contribution, the UAE intends to reduce GHG emissions for the year 2030 by 23.5% relative to the business-as-usual scenario. In October 2021, the UAE declared its intent to achieve a target of zero GHG emissions by 2050, and in November 2021 it announced the Hydrogen Leadership Roadmap, a comprehensive national blueprint to support domestic low carbon industries, contribute to the country's net zero ambition, and establish the country as a competitive exporter of hydrogen.

29. (...). The National Water and Energy Demand Management Programme, approved by the federal cabinet in August 2021, aims to achieve a 40% reduction in energy demand by 2050 in the three most energy consuming sectors in the UAE (transport, industry, and construction) and a 50% reduction in water demand. Renewable energy capacity increased very substantially during the period under review. Almost all renewables capacity involves solar power.

2.16. (...). One of the six national priorities established in the Vision 2021 National Agenda is to transition to a competitive knowledge based economy by promoting innovation and research and development (R&D), strengthening the regulatory framework, and encouraging high value-adding sectors [14]. [14] The five other priorities are to achieve: (...) and (v) sustainable environment and infrastructure.

2.26. At the Eleventh Session of the Ministerial Conference (Buenos Aires, December 2017), the UAE reiterated its strong commitment to and support of the WTO, acknowledging the organization's role in facilitating international trade and investment within a rules based system. Regarding some of the main negotiating issues on the table, the UAE called for more transparency in the use of agricultural export restrictions and supported an extension of the Decision on Public Stockholding for food security reasons to include all developing countries. On fisheries subsidies, the UAE emphasized the need to provide for policy space for developing countries to develop their fisheries sector, while promoting sustainable fishing resources. (...)

2.37. (...), GCC member States have set up common institutions dealing with trade and investment issues, (...). Other recent examples of regional integration include a common law for real estate owners, a common Environmental Program and a cultural strategy for 2020-30.

[2.42. The free trade agreement between the GCC and EFTA entered into force in July 2014 (...)]
2.44. The chapter on trade in services contains provisions on national treatment and market access and uses a positive list approach for scheduling commitments. Both parties agreed to go beyond their obligations under the GATS. The GCC member States undertook commitments in 11 GATS sectors. The UAE accepted additional commitments in (...) environmental (...) services.

[2.45. The UAE is a member of Pan-Arab Free Trade Area (PAFTA) (...)]
2.46. The elimination of tariffs among PAFTA members was enforced in January 2005, except for some products for reasons such as public health, safety, morals, and the protection of the environment. (...)

Box 2.2 National Action Agenda for Foreign Direct Investment
Inward FDI (...) Target sectors: (...), renewable energy, (...), water technology, genetics, and intelligent mobility.