The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched Naseej, the country’s first integrated National Initiative for Textile Circularity, marking a significant step towards addressing the growing environmental impact of textile waste and advancing circular economy practices.
Introduced under the directives of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the initiative seeks to create a coordinated framework that brings together policymakers, industry stakeholders, researchers, recyclers, and consumers to tackle the challenge of rising clothing waste.
According to official figures, the UAE generates approximately 220,000 tonnes of textile waste annually, driven by population growth, increasing consumption, and the rapid expansion of fast fashion. Discarded clothing accounts for a substantial share of this waste stream, placing increasing pressure on landfills and natural resources.
Launched by senior government officials, including Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairwoman of the Presidential Court for National Projects, Naseej aims to transform textile waste management while encouraging more responsible consumption habits.
“Naseej reaffirms the UAE’s commitment to sustainability as a shared national responsibility,” said Sheikha Mariam, highlighting the initiative’s focus on resource conservation and community engagement.
The programme reflects broader global efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of the fashion industry, which is often associated with high carbon emissions, water-intensive cotton cultivation, chemical-heavy processing, and increasing textile waste.
Operating as a national coordination platform, Naseej will focus on improving textile collection systems, expanding sorting and recycling infrastructure, and supporting innovation in sustainable materials, reuse technologies, and circular design solutions.
Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri stated that the initiative aligns with the UAE’s long-term strategy of decoupling economic growth from environmental impact. He emphasised that the programme integrates government policy, private sector participation, and community involvement to strengthen the country’s circular economy ambitions.
As part of its public engagement efforts, Naseej will host its inaugural event, The Fabric of Possibility, from 5 to 7 June at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. The event will feature educational activities and interactive installations designed to raise awareness about textile waste and sustainable consumption.
Industry experts note that textile circularity presents significant opportunities for recycling innovation, sustainable manufacturing, resale markets, and resource recovery. However, they also stress that long-term success will depend on consumer participation, industry commitment, and the development of scalable recycling infrastructure.
With the launch of Naseej, the UAE joins a growing number of countries implementing textile sustainability initiatives and circular economy strategies aimed at reducing waste and improving resource efficiency across the fashion and textile value chain.
