The UAE Ministry of Economy has unveiled a three-month “Green Intellectual Property” roadmap to foster innovation and accelerate technology localisation in sectors such as environmental sustainability and the circular economy. This initiative seeks to enhance the UAE’s intellectual property landscape and support the nation’s transition to a circular economy.
The Ministry plans to collaborate with local environmental stakeholders and the World Intellectual Property Organization to implement the roadmap’s objectives, aiming to motivate inventors to develop sustainable projects across critical economic sectors. This move is part of the UAE’s broader strategy to position itself among the world’s most innovative nations.
The roadmap includes a program to expedite the registration of patents related to sustainable technologies and to increase such patents to 8% of total registrations in the country. In 2024, the UAE received approximately 3,622 patent applications, reflecting a growing interest in intellectual property protection.
The UAE has established a robust legislative framework to support this sector, including laws protecting industrial property rights, trademarks, and copyrights. The nation currently ranks first in the region in the Global Innovation Index 2024, highlighting its leadership in fostering innovation and sustainability.
This initiative aligns with the UAE’s Circular Economy Policy, which provides a comprehensive framework for sustainable governance and efficient resource utilisation. The policy prioritises sustainable infrastructure, transportation, manufacturing, and food production and consumption.
By implementing the Green IP roadmap, the UAE aims to integrate innovation and digital transformation into its circular economy initiatives, enhancing dialogue with federal and local government entities and the private sector to advance the National Circular Economy Agenda.
