MBRSG Ranked Among UAE's Top Three Research Institutes At The Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Environmental Award

(MENAFN- Mid-East Info)

The School was recognised for its excellence in sustainability research and notable impact on climate policy.

Dubai, UAE – March 2026 – The Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG) has won the third place (Bronze) award in the Research Institutes category of the Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Environmental Award.

The win marks a new milestone that reflects MBRSG’s continued commitment to advancing a robust research ecosystem to support sustainability and evidence-based policymaking. It also highlights its leading role in harnessing scientific research to support the UAE’s environmental priorities and climate action agenda.

Organised by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, the Award is one of the UAE’s most prestigious national honours, celebrating individuals and institutions for their contributions to environmental protection and the sustainable management of natural resources.

In its second cycle, the Award was expanded to cover all seven emirates, reflecting a national commitment to promoting a culture of environmental excellence and best practices aligned with global standards.

MBRSG secured third place in the Research Institutes category, behind Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and New York University Abu Dhabi, which won first and second place, respectively.

This recognition underscores the School’s continued efforts to develop an integrated research model that places environmental sustainability and climate change at the core of its knowledge agenda, directing its outputs towards strengthening decision-making processes and enhancing the effectiveness of public policy. It also reflects the quality of MBRSG’s applied research and its contributions towards enhancing the institutional and leadership capacity of government entities to address climate-related challenges through rigorous analysis and robust data.

His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Sebaa Al Marri, Executive President of MBRSG, said:“This recognition affirms our long-standing commitment at the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government to leveraging scientific research in support of the UAE’s sustainability and climate priorities. Securing the Bronze Award in the Research Institutes category reflects both the calibre of our research outputs and their tangible impact on public policy development, as well as our role in strengthening the preparedness of government leaders to respond effectively to environmental and climate challenges.”

“We will continue to reinforce our position as a thought leader advancing national and regional sustainability agendas through applied research, strategic partnerships, and specialised academic programmes,” H.E. Al Marri continued.

Among the flagship research initiatives underpinning this recognition is the annual Arab Region SDG Index and Dashboards Report, issued at the World Governments Summit in partnership with the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN). The report assesses progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across 22 Arab countries, employing data-driven methodologies and offering a sophisticated analytical tool for policymakers to monitor challenges and opportunities in sustainability and climate action.

MBRSG has also produced specialised studies on climate finance, addressing green recovery pathways following the COVID-19 pandemic and exploring opportunities for green financing in the Middle East and North Africa region. In partnership with HSBC, MBRSG released a report titled ‘Addressing the Physical Risks of Climate Change in the GCC: The Role of Policy and Finance’, providing a comprehensive analysis of policy frameworks and climate risk exposure, alongside practical recommendations for decision-makers across the region.

MBRSG amplifies its research impact through an extensive network of strategic partnerships, including collaboration with the UN SDSN, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Governments Summit, UAE Prime Minister’s Office, and UAE National Committee on SDGs. The School is also an active member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Capacity-Building Hub and has established knowledge partnerships across major international climate conferences, including COP28 and COP29.

This achievement reflects MBRSG’s level of institutional maturity in aligning scientific research with sustainable development priorities, reaffirming the success of the UAE model in nurturing knowledge institutions capable of transforming data into policy and challenges into sustainable development opportunities.

Moreover, it provides impetus to expand research in green finance and climate adaptation, while strengthening the School’s advisory role in advancing climate action agendas at both national and regional levels, which, in turn, consolidates its position as a leading knowledge hub supporting sustainable development pathways in the region and around the world.

The Arab Region SDG Index and Dashboards Report can be accessed at , while the full range of the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government’s research outputs is available through its dedicated research portal at .

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