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NEOM Green Hydrogen Company (NGHC) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with Fahd bin Sultan University to establish a three-year framework for cooperation focused on education, research and talent development in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk region.

The agreement was formalised at the university’s campus in Tabuk and signed by Professor Dr Abdullah bin Ibrahim Hussein and Wesam Alghamdi, chief executive of NEOM Green Hydrogen Company. The partnership is aimed at supporting the Kingdom’s transition towards a knowledge-based economy by strengthening local capabilities for the rapidly growing clean energy and hydrogen sectors.

NGHC said the collaboration comes at a pivotal stage in the development of its flagship project, with around 90 per cent of the world’s largest green hydrogen plant now complete across all sites. As the company moves from construction into testing, commissioning and ultimately full operations, it is placing increased emphasis on building national talent to support long-term operational excellence.

Under the memorandum, NGHC and Fahd bin Sultan University will work together on training programmes, academic research initiatives, scientific events and specialised technical development activities. A central feature of the agreement is the introduction of a bridging programme that will allow diploma holders to progress towards a bachelor’s degree in line with university regulations. The partnership also provides for the exchange of expertise, practical training opportunities for students, defined employment pathways and participation in workshops and seminars.

The two organisations will hold regular meetings to oversee implementation, appoint coordinators to manage joint activities and ensure continuity of cooperation beyond the duration of the memorandum.

Through the collaboration, a range of courses will be offered to equip students with industry-relevant skills, including engineering and technician programmes, technical and administrative training, occupational health and safety modules, and specialised content focused on renewable energy and hydrogen technologies.

Wesam Alghamdi, CEO of NEOM Green Hydrogen Company, said: "Developing national talent is fundamental to the long-term success of NEOM Green Hydrogen Company as we prepare to operate the world’s largest green hydrogen plant and support the growth of the broader clean energy economy in Saudi Arabia."

Professor Dr Abdullah bin Ibrahim Hussein said, "This memorandum reflects our commitment to advancing education that responds directly to the needs of future industries."

The partnership is positioned as a model for industry–academic collaboration, supporting Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification ambitions and its leadership in renewable energy and sustainable development.

Ariston Middle East is preparing to showcase its newest line-up of innovative, future-ready and sustainable water-heating solutions at Big 5 Global 2025, taking place from 24-28 November at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The company’s latest technologies will be featured in Hall 3, Stand 3A131, within the pavilion of regional distributor MAHY Khoory, reinforcing Ariston’s long-standing brand promise: “The Home of Sustainable Comfort.”

“The Big 5 Global stands as the construction industry's most important and influential gathering, firmly rooted in Dubai,” said Alberto Torner, Head of International Markets (AMEA) at Ariston Group. “Thermal comfort has historically placed a significant burden on electrical networks and contributed to CO₂ emissions. As a global specialist with a 95-year heritage and leadership in over 40 countries, it is our responsibility to guide the conversation around energy transition. At Big 5, we are proud to showcase three innovative solutions that highlight the sustainability-driven technology embedded across our range.”

Taking centre stage at the exhibition is one of Ariston’s advanced heat-pump water-heating systems, the Nuos FIT. This compact thermodynamic water heater extracts heat from the surrounding air to dramatically reduce electricity consumption, delivering up to 50 per cent energy savings compared to traditional electric models. Using the environmentally friendly R290 refrigerant, it performs effectively across a wide temperature range from +7 °C to +42 °C and can achieve storage temperatures of 62 °C without relying on a backup heater. Four operating modes — Green, Green Plus, Boost and i-Memory — along with smart remote control via the Ariston NET app, further enhance efficiency and convenience.

Ariston will also feature the Velis Tech WiFi, an electrical water heater engineered to reduce energy use without compromising performance. With an ultra-slim 27 centimetre depth and twin-tank configuration, it offers faster heating and increased hot-water availability. Its ECO EVO mode intelligently learns household patterns to deliver up to 25 per cent energy savings, while the Boost function heats both tanks rapidly to 80 °C. Wi-Fi connectivity allows users to manage scheduling, monitor consumption and adjust settings through the Ariston NET app.

Completing the line-up is the PRO1 Eco, introduced earlier this year in the UAE. Powered by the patented CoreTECH-enabled ECO EVO system, it analyses daily usage habits to heat water only when needed. This results in up to 14 per cent reduced energy consumption while ensuring continuous comfort, making it well suited to sustainability-focused homes.

“We remain committed to leading the market through continuous innovation and product excellence,” Alberto Torner, Head of International Markets (AMEA) at Ariston Group concluded. “With 45 years of strong presence in the GCC, our comprehensive portfolio is perfectly aligned with the region’s sustainability goals. We invite all attendees of Big 5 Global 2025 to visit us in Hall 3 and experience our next-generation water-heating technologies firsthand.”

Fakhruddin Properties and Holcim UAE have signed an MoU to jointly advance sustainable construction across the UAE and the wider region.

The agreement brings together Fakhruddin Properties, one of the UAE’s leading sustainability-oriented developers, and Holcim UAE, a key partner for sustainable construction solutions.

It also marks a regional milestone for Holcim, representing its first MoU with a developer headquartered in the Middle East. The partnership reflects Holcim’s ambition to expand its regional footprint while supporting the UAE’s net-zero goals through low-carbon and circular building practices.

The collaboration will draw on Holcim UAE’s expertise in low-carbon and circular construction under its NextGen Growth 2030 strategy, alongside Fakhruddin Properties’ long-standing commitment to sustainable development. Together, the partners aim to deliver future-ready communities that balance environmental responsibility with social value.

Sustainable operations

Fakhruddin Properties is recognised as a multi award-winning sustainability pioneer in the UAE’s real estate sector. The developer introduced the country’s first in-building waste management system, diverting 90% of waste from landfills, and continues to focus on wellness-driven developments through smart home solutions, air purification systems and energy-efficient technologies designed to address rising global energy consumption.

Commenting on the announcement, Yousuf Fakhruddin, CEO and managing director, Fakhruddin Properties, said, “This MoU supports the UAE’s national sustainability agenda and aligns with the 2015 Paris Agreement, reinforcing the UAE’s long-held commitment to achieving net-zero CO₂ emissions by 2050. We will work closely with Holcim UAE to reduce both embodied and operational carbon, promote circular economy principles, and scale practical sustainability solutions with full transparency.

“For example, low-carbon materials supplied by Holcim and other manufacturers will be a staple across our future projects. This partnership demonstrates that effective decarbonization requires joint efforts across developers, sustainable solution providers, as well as government and industry stakeholders, combining innovation with measurable climate action.”

Ali Said, CEO, Holcim UAE, added, “Sustainability is not just a goal, it is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration, transparency, and innovation. Through this partnership, we will embed low-carbon, circular, and resilient practices across the built environment. By ensuring traceability of materials along the entire value chain and integrating sustainable design and construction solutions, we will create communities that support wellbeing, respect the environment and nature, and set new benchmarks for sustainable development, starting with the UAE.”

Ivanhoe Mines has formalised a new partnership framework with Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) following the sovereign fund’s recent US$500mn strategic investment in the company.

The MoU was concluded during the visit of His Highness The Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). During his trip, the Amir held discussions with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi on strengthening ties between the two nations, creating the backdrop for the Ivanhoe–QIA agreement.

Under the terms of the MoU, Ivanhoe Mines and QIA have established a broad framework intended to support the discovery, responsible development and long-term supply of critical minerals required for global decarbonisation and next-generation technologies.

Commenting on the agreement, Robert Friedland said, “The signing of the MoU, together with the strategic investment by the Qatar Investment Authority, is a strong vote of confidence in Ivanhoe Mines and our mission to supply the strategic metals that power global electrification and the rise of AI and large-scale datacentres. We are excited to build this long-term, world-class alliance as we unlock new frontiers in our hunt for the next generation of great discoveries, which we will sustainably mine together.”

QIA CEO Mohammed Saif Al-Sowaidi added, “This MoU is a testament of QIA’s commitment to building strategic partnerships with leading suppliers of critical minerals, supporting global efforts to develop new energy infrastructure and power advanced technologies. We are delighted to be working with Ivanhoe Mines and look forward to further growing our partnership, aimed at generating long-term, sustainable prosperity.”

The cooperation framework specifically recognises QIA’s support for Ivanhoe’s ongoing exploration and development pipeline, including the company’s substantial activities at the Western Forelands project in the DRC, where work continues to advance the Makoko District and other promising targets.

Both parties also intend to explore additional joint opportunities across regions of shared interest, covering mining ventures at various stages of development. Potential areas of collaboration include investment or financing agreements, access to QIA’s network of financial institutions for favourable funding of critical minerals projects, and joint consideration of future strategic mergers and acquisitions.

The MoU further sets out avenues for cooperation on enabling infrastructure—such as logistics, energy and water systems—as well as possible downstream initiatives, including smelting and refining capacity for critical minerals in Africa and other global jurisdictions.

From 1 January 2026, the UAE will expand its restrictions on single-use plastics, banning plastic beverage cups, lids, cutlery, food containers and straws when manufactured from conventional plastic materials.

The move forms part of the country’s wider environmental policy framework aimed at reducing pollution and limiting the long-term environmental impact of disposable products. According to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), products made from plant-based Polylactic Acid (PLA) are recognised as viable alternatives and are excluded from the ban.

The measures stem from Ministerial Decision No. 380 of 2022, which regulates single-use products across the UAE and prohibits the import, production and distribution of specified plastic items. Earlier phases of the regulation already introduced bans on products such as plastic straws, stirrers and single-use shopping bags.

The scope of the regulation will broaden to include additional items such as beverage cups, lids, forks, spoons, chop sticks and food containers when made from plastic. The expanded ban reflects the UAE’s commitment to addressing plastic pollution while encouraging the adoption of more sustainable material alternatives.

PLA applications

PLA, a plant-based material that is compostable and biodegradable, remains exempt from the regulation. Derived from renewable resources, PLA is widely used in applications where hygiene, safety and convenience are essential. Its suitability for both cold and hot drink cups, food containers, straws and cutlery positions it as a practical alternative for sectors such as food service, hospitality and events, where single-use items are still sometimes necessary.

François de Bie, Emirates Biotech CCO, stated that “it’s best to stop using single use products as much as possible and consider reuseable alternatives. But in those cases where reuseable alternatives are not available it is important to recognise that PLA, being a plant-based material, falls outside the scope of the prohibited materials. PLA, like paper, wood and recycled plastics is exempted.” His comments underline the regulatory distinction being made between conventional plastics and materials derived from renewable sources.

Valentina Olabi, Public Affairs Manager of Emirates Biotech, added, “PLA will play a critical role in advancing landfill diversion and circular economy targets. The decision demonstrates constructive collaboration between government, industry and environmental stakeholders. We welcome this recognition of PLA as a practical enabler of the UAE’s sustainability agenda.”

As the UAE continues to strengthen its environmental regulations, the recognition of PLA provides clarity for manufacturers, importers and end users navigating the transition away from conventional plastics. Emirates Biotech has reiterated its commitment to supporting local businesses as they adapt to the new requirements, helping ensure a smooth shift towards compliant, plant-based alternatives that align with the country’s broader sustainability goals.

The EU’s Vision Zero initiative, aiming for zero fatalities and serious injuries on European roads by 2050, has brought road safety into sharp focus.

While infrastructure improvements and driver training remain important, the spotlight has shifted to standardising vehicle safety technology. This is the aim of the EU General Safety Regulation (GSR), a comprehensive framework mandating advanced safety features in new vehicles.

For Europe’s largest asset-based logistics company, Girteka, the results are already evident. The GSR was introduced to tackle the human error factor, which accounts for up to 90% of road accidents, and to make vehicles safer for both occupants and Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) such as pedestrians and cyclists. Its phased implementation began in July 2022 for new vehicle types with basic advanced systems, progressing to all new registrations in July 2024, requiring a full suite of eight mandatory Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) on trucks and buses, including blind spot detection, advanced emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assistance, intelligent speed assistance, and driver fatigue monitoring.

Eurostat reports that in 2024 there were over 4 million goods vehicles registered in the EU, with vehicles over 30 tonnes completing 83.1% of total freight transport in tonne-kilometres. HGVs under two years old accounted for 20.2% of road freight, highlighting the sector’s rapid fleet renewal. Manufacturers including Volvo, Scania, Mercedes-Benz, DAF, and MAN have embraced the regulations, incorporating ADAS technologies that were previously optional.

Real-world impact

Scania noted that its trucks already had “most of the required safety assistance technology,” while DAF and Volvo confirmed compliance and projected further advancements in active safety technology. Anna Wrige Berling, Traffic and Product Safety Director at Volvo Trucks, said, “Looking further ahead, trucks will become more intelligent and more active when it comes to safety, with more features that intervene rather than just inform,” emphasising that drivers remain “the most important safety system in the truck.”

Girteka’s experience demonstrates the real-world impact of these regulations. Since July 2024, the company has added over 2,400 GSR-compliant trucks to its fleet, with plans for up to 8,000 more by 2026. Internal data shows a 10% reduction in accidents within a year, particularly in low-speed manoeuvres, small collisions, and blind spot incidents, the very scenarios the new ADAS technologies were designed to address.

Dainius Augutis, Transport Function & Support Department Manager at Girteka, said, “The EU's GSR is a powerful market signal that pushes safety technology from a premium add-on to a universal standard. The collaboration between fleet owners like Girteka, who provide the data and demand, and manufacturers, who provide the engineering, is what makes Vision Zero achievable.”

Beyond metrics, the human impact is profound. Drivers benefit from safer conditions and lower stress, communities face reduced risks, and clients experience fewer disruptions. By combining regulation, advanced technology, and comprehensive driver training, Girteka shows that safety excellence is inseparable from operational excellence. The company’s results underline that well-designed regulations and proactive fleet investment can accelerate safety innovation, offering a blueprint for the future of safer, smarter logistics across Europe.