The Ministry of Environment and Water recently organised a field visit to the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi to get an overview of best practices and procedures in the field of air quality in the UAE. The team from the Ministry evaluated the joint study carried out by the institute, which monitors air quality via satellite technology. The visit is in line with the Ministry's initiatives to meet national indicators targeted by UAE Vision 2021 to ensure a sustainable environment.

According to Fahad Mohammed Saeed Hareb, Director of Air Quality at the Ministry of Environment and Water, air quality is a component of the UAE's environmental work, as it has a direct impact on human health, the environment, and the economy. The UAE will be directing its attention towards the improvement of air quality and achieving the national objectives for 2021.

Dr. Marouane Tamimi, Associate Professor at Masdar Institute's Water and Environmental Engineering Programme and the supervisor of the project, welcomed the visiting delegation and emphasised the institute's eagerness to strengthen ties with the Ministry and in so doing, better serve the UAE's ecosystem. Dr. Marouane also briefed the guests on the Institute laboratories and research facilities, and presented a detailed explanation of the project, which aims to improve air quality. They also discussed the possibility of expanding the project to include other areas of developments.

Hareb added that the aim of visiting Masdar is to check on the satellite along with other technologies employed to monitor and control air quality through modern means and to benefit from the successful research and studies carried out by the Institute in this field. He also added that the Ministry is working with the Institute on a special air quality strategy featuring policies and action plans related to its effective management along with a review and evaluation of the procedures.

During the visit there was a presentation of Masdar Institute's activities in the field of air quality, and a viewing of the air quality monitoring satellite system. The Ministry representatives visited the stations to gather dust samples and view the Scanning Electron Microscopy technique used to evaluate the samples. They also visited scientific laboratories specialised in this area.

Hareb emphasised that it is crucial for all relevant government agencies to collaborate in achieving the national objectives for sustainable environmental development. "This initial visit will be followed by several training workshops which aim to advance the UAE's human capital and its capacity to improve air quality," he said.