With the participation of leading decision-makers and industry pioneers under the theme: “From the UAE… to a Greener World”
• H.E. Saif Ghubash: The UAE has made sustainability a central pillar of its national agenda
• Dr. Amr Ezzat Salama: This initiative encourages innovation and strengthens investment in Arab talent
• Yousuf bin Saeed Lootah: We are proud to launch this award from Dubai to empower Arab youth
Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 12 December 2025:
Under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, and jointly organized by the Association of Arab Universities and the Yousuf Award for Young Scientists, Dubai hosted the SUSTAINABLE BIO INTERNATIONAL FORUM under the theme “From the UAE… to a Greener World.”
The forum brought together decision-makers, experts, academics, and industry leaders from around the world to discuss the future of sustainable bioenergy and its role in supporting a low-carbon circular economy. The event explored innovative biofuel solutions, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), marine fuel, and renewable transport fuels, while encouraging young scientists to advance scientific research in this field.
The Future Energy Mix
H.E. Eng. Saif Ghubash, Assistant Undersecretary for the Petroleum, Gas, and Mineral Resources Sector at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, affirmed that the UAE has made sustainability a key pillar of its national agenda, setting an ambitious goal to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 through advanced initiatives to reduce emissions, expand clean energy projects, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
He explained that bioenergy represents an important pathway in the future energy mix, particularly sustainable aviation fuel and low-carbon fuels, noting that the UAE was among the first in the region to test flights powered by SAF in collaboration with national companies.
He added that the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, circular economy programs, and decarbonization projects are accelerating this transition. He also emphasized the importance of partnerships
between universities and the private sector to strengthen innovation and develop technologies supporting a low-carbon economy.
Investment… Integration… Innovation
H.E. Prof. Dr. Amr Ezzat Salama, Secretary General of the Association of Arab Universities, said:
“This initiative enhances investment in Arab talent and competencies, encourages young scientists to innovate and create, and elevates the role of scientific research in supporting sustainable development in the UAE and the Arab world.”
Yousuf bin Saeed Lootah, Founder of the Yousuf Award for Young Scientists, stated:
“The Young Scientists Award aims to strengthen integration between academic and industrial institutions across the Arab world, and to support sustainable solutions in green chemistry, renewable energy, and the circular economy. We are proud to launch this award from Dubai to empower Arab youth and foster partnerships between the private, public, and academic sectors toward a better future for all.”
Specialized Working Sessions
The SUSTAINABLE BIO INTERNATIONAL FORUM featured two expert-led sessions:
First Session Speakers:
• Dr. Jennifer Holmgren – CEO, LanzaTech, USA
• Prof. Robert Spisak – Board Member, INFIN Group, Slovakia
• Eng. Maryam Al Matroushi – Chair, Committee on Environmental Protection, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
Moderator: Dr. Hanifa Al Blooshi – Khalifa University, UAE
Second Session Speakers:
• Julian Thiel – CEO, Desyl, Switzerland
• Shige Wang – General Manager, Benayu Group, China
• Shin Ito – JGC Corporation, Japan
Moderator: Prof. Maria Lourdes Fernandez – RICH Center, Khalifa University, UAE
Young Scientists Awards
At the conclusion of the forum, winners of the Yousuf bin Saeed Lootah Award for Young Scientists were honored across three categories:
Green Chemistry Category
First Place:
Wael Mahmoud Dagher, Dr. Wi’am Al-Khatib, Dr. Abeer Al-Asoud – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Damascus University, Syria
Research: Enhancing the properties of cotton and polyester fibers using carbon laser technology and its impact on natural and synthetic dyes, focusing on the Bougainvillea plant.
Second Place:
Dr. Abdulrahman Ragab Ibrahim Saeed, Prof. Jehan Farag Asaad, Assoc. Prof. Marwa Al-Arabi Shabana, Dalia Hamed Al-Fiqi, Alaa Saad Sayed, Hagar Mohammed Ali, Amal Adel Abdel-Fattah, Dr. Hussein Al-Husseini, Prof. Walaa Ahmed Al-Dekkoury
Research: Desosomes and Desimicelles – A new system to enhance oral delivery of poorly soluble drugs: Improved in-vitro properties and bio-performance.
Renewable Energy Category
First Place:
Prof. Maher Al-Jabari, Raghad Mubarak, Dana Al-Jabari – Palestine Polytechnic University
Research: A study of global green hydrogen production technologies and the adoption of an applicable technology in Palestine.
Second Place:
Dr. Mohamed Nasser Nafea, Prof. Hamdy Hassan – Egypt
Research: Egyptian Green Hydrogen Atlas – Renewable energy mapping, hydrogen production, cost assessment, and CO₂ emission reduction.
Circular Economy Category
First Place:
Prof. Heba Salah Mohamed Hamed, Prof. Adel Mahdi Shaheen, Researcher Maryam Naguib Gouda – Egypt
Research: The potential role of dietary parsley and/or parsley nanoparticles against the harmful effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles in Nile fish.
Closing
At the end of the forum and the awards ceremony, participants expressed their appreciation to the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure for its patronage of this international specialized initiative, as well as to the Association of Arab Universities, the Yousuf Award for Young Scientists, and all partners and supporters. They reaffirmed their commitment to advancing scientific innovation and sustainable bioenergy, and to opening new horizons toward a greener, brighter future.
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