MOCCAE Sets Seven Air Quality Priorities and Expands the Use of AI for Forecasting and Early Action
Dubai, October 2026: The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has identified seven key priorities for advancing national action on air quality in 2027 and beyond. These include building an integrated national data and analytics ecosystem, employing artificial intelligence and advanced modelling to strengthen forecasting and early warning, and directing interventions towards priority sources of pollution, in support of community wellbeing, health protection and quality of life.
The priorities were announced at the conclusion of the “UAE Annual Air Quality Forum 2026 – Second Edition”, organised by the Ministry under the theme “Towards Better Air Quality in the UAE”.
The Forum brought together representatives of federal and local government entities, the health sector, academic and research institutions, the private sector, technology providers and international organisations. It aimed to translate data and scientific evidence into practical policies and interventions that protect communities and enhance quality of life across the UAE.
Building on the outcomes of the first Forum, held in 2025, the second edition further consolidated its role as an annual national forum, knowledge exchange, reviewing progress and setting future priorities, thereby supporting accelerated implementation of the National Air Quality Agenda 2031.
Air Quality Is a Priority That Affects Everyone:
Her Excellency Dr. Alanoud Abdullah Alhaj, Assistant Undersecretary for the Green Development and Climate Change Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, said: “Air quality is a national priority directly linked to community wellbeing and quality of life. We are, therefore, building a national ecosystem that translates data and scientific evidence into measurable decisions and interventions. The use of artificial intelligence and advanced modelling enables us to move from understanding current conditions to anticipating episodes of elevated pollutant levels or dust, strengthening the readiness of relevant authorities and enabling early action, while providing communities with clear and timely information that helps them protect their health.”
Her excellency added: “The community plays an essential role in improving air quality. This participation begins with monitoring air quality conditions and using available data when planning daily activities, particularly during periods of dust or elevated pollutant levels. Simple practices such as maintaining vehicles, avoiding unnecessary engine idling, using energy efficiently, and properly maintaining ventilation and air-conditioning systems in homes, schools and workplaces can help reduce emissions while also improving indoor air quality.”
HE Dr. Alhaj affirmed that this shared responsibility also extends to institutions and businesses through measuring and reducing emissions, adopting more efficient technologies, providing healthier indoor environments, and contributing their data, expertise and innovations to the development of national solutions. HE noted that integrating government policies with the participation of institutions and the wider community strengthens the impact of national efforts and translates them into results that people can experience in their daily lives.
From Data to Early Action:
The Forum reviewed the progress made by the UAE in developing air quality monitoring systems, improving the quality and accessibility of data, strengthening scientific and analytical capabilities, and enhancing coordination between federal and local authorities.
The “National Air Quality Platform” supports this direction by providing real-time data on air quality conditions across the country, enabling community members and relevant authorities to access and benefit from reliable information. A central digital dashboard also helps collect and manage monitoring data received from local environmental authorities within a unified national framework that supports data quality assurance, analysis and reporting.
The National Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) System further strengthens this ecosystem by providing a unified digital framework for collecting, reporting, verifying and analysing facility-level data on greenhouse gas emissions and priority air pollutants. This supports the development of emission inventories, the identification of emission sources, performance tracking, and the direction of emission-reduction efforts towards areas capable of delivering major improvements in air quality.
Discussions underscored the importance of integrating data from monitoring stations, emission inventories, meteorological observations, atmospheric modelling, satellites and other sources to build a comprehensive national air quality data and analytics ecosystem. This will support a clearer understanding of pollution sources and trends and enable faster, more accurate decision-making.
Participants also examined the challenges associated with particulate matter, including particles measuring 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter (PM2.5), and the interaction between natural sources of dust and emissions generated by urban activity, transport and industry. They stressed the importance of source-apportionment studies and scientific research in guiding targeted interventions and measuring their effectiveness, while taking into account the different characteristics of individual emission sources.
A National Forum Connecting Challenges and Solutions:
The event featured “UAE Air Quality Forum: From Challenges to Solutions”, whichbrought together relevant federal and local authorities to discuss current developments and challenges, practical solutions, and opportunities to strengthen integration.
The Forum focused on exchanging experiences, successful practices and technical knowledge among participating entities, and coordinating interventions while taking into account the different environmental characteristics and priorities of the individual emirates. This supports the development of an integrated and flexible national air quality management ecosystem.
The Forum also examined the relationship between air quality and public health, and ways to strengthen cooperation between environmental and health authorities to better understand exposure patterns, the most affected groups and the health impacts associated with air pollution. This knowledge can then inform priority-setting and the measurement of the health benefits delivered by policies and interventions.
Artificial Intelligence for More Proactive Management:
The Forum explored the role of artificial intelligence, atmospheric modelling, meteorological data, satellite observations and advanced monitoring technologies in supporting the transition from tracking air pollution episodes after they occur to forecasting them and preparing for them in advance.
National forecasting and early-warning capabilities currently under development will help anticipate periods of elevated pollutant levels or dust, strengthen the readiness of relevant authorities and enable earlier action. They will also provide communities with timely information that can minimise exposure.
Participants highlighted the importance of partnerships between government entities, academic and research institutions, the private sector and technology providers in developing solutions suited to the UAE’s environmental conditions and accelerating the transition of scientific research and innovation from testing to practical application.
The programme included a presentation on the “UAE Air Quality Outlook 2026: Progress, Evidence and Priorities”, and the session “From Monitoring to Intelligence: What Is the Evidence Telling Us?” Other sessions addressed public health and prevention, the use of artificial intelligence to move from monitoring to prediction, and the translation of scientific research into policies and action. The programme concluded with a review of the UAE’s air quality priorities for 2027.
Seven National Priorities:
The Forum identified seven priorities for national air quality action in 2027 and beyond. The first is to build an integrated national ecosystem connecting monitoring and emissions data with meteorological observations, satellite data and atmospheric modelling, and translating these inputs into information that supports faster and more accurate decisions.
The priorities also include moving from monitoring to forecasting and early action by developing national early-warning capabilities and using artificial intelligence and advanced modelling to strengthen preparedness. They further call for the use of source-apportionment (SA) studies, emissions inventories and sectoral assessments to design targeted interventions and measure their effectiveness.
Other priorities include improving indoor air quality in homes, schools, workplaces and healthcare facilities, and placing health at the centre of decision-making by strengthening integration between environmental and health authorities and improving understanding of exposure patterns, health impacts and the groups most affected.
The priorities also focus on accelerating scientific research, innovation and the application of technology through partnerships with universities, research centres, the private sector and technology providers.
In addition, they seek to strengthen national coordination and shared responsibility by advancing data and knowledge exchange, coordinating interventions and measuring their outcomes across federal and local authorities, while expanding the participation of the private sector and the community.
Together, these priorities represent an evolution in the UAE’s approach to air quality management, from monitoring to intelligence and forecasting; from identifying pollution sources to implementing targeted interventions; from focusing primarily on outdoor air to developing a more comprehensive understanding of exposure and indoor air quality; and from tracking environmental indicators to measuring health and community outcomes.
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment will continue working with federal and local authorities, the health sector, academic and research institutions, the private sector and international partners to translate the Forum’s outcomes into coordinated national action and measurable results, and to accelerate implementation of the National Air Quality Agenda 2031, supporting more resilient communities and a more prosperous future.
