UAE highlights energy, food and digital priorities at EBRD annual meeting

The UAE has used a major international development forum in Latvia to call for stronger global cooperation on energy security, food resilience and digital infrastructure.

Representatives from the Ministry of Finance took part in the annual meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in Riga, which brought together policymakers, financial institutions and government officials from around the world.

The UAE delegation was led by Ali Abdullah Sharafi, Assistant Under-Secretary for International Financial Relations at the Ministry of Finance.

Speaking during a session on economic governance, Sharafi warned of the impact regional conflicts can have on global markets, supply chains, energy security and food supplies.

He called on the EBRD to continue supporting countries facing economic challenges through financing, technical expertise and investment in renewable energy projects aimed at improving energy security and reducing exposure to price volatility.

Sharafi also highlighted the importance of strengthening food security through greater international cooperation, expanded technical assistance and innovative financing solutions for vulnerable countries.

Digital infrastructure was another key focus of the UAE's participation.

Sharafi said investment in areas such as high-speed communications networks, cloud computing, data centres and artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly important for economic growth, competitiveness and public service delivery.

The three-day EBRD meeting also included discussions on support for Ukraine, economic governance reforms and strategies to strengthen economic resilience in countries where the bank operates.

The UAE said its participation reflects its commitment to working with international financial institutions to support sustainable development, economic stability and multilateral cooperation.