Month: October 2024

Abu dhabi: Khaled Abdullah Belhoul, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, received a copy of the credentials of Ken Okaniwa, the new Ambassador of Japan to the UAE. Belhoul expressed his best wishes for Ambassador Okaniwa’s success in fulfilling his duties and highlighted the UAE’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Japan across various sectors.

According to Emirates News Agency, the newly appointed Ambassador Okaniwa commended the UAE’s prominent status both regionally and internationally. He attributed this to the forward-thinking policies of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Okaniwa’s remarks underscore the mutual respect and collaboration between the two nations as they continue to enhance their partnership in multiple areas.

Ulaanbaatar: The Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation has commenced the distribution of winter bags in Mongolia as part of its ‘Winter Bag’ initiative. Mongolia is one of 19 countries that are set to benefit from this effort.

According to Emirates News Agency, the Foundation’s team has distributed the bags across five locations in Bayan-Ulgii, a region situated in western Mongolia. These bags are designed to provide winter clothing and essential supplies to a wide range of age groups, including children from 2 to 16 years old, as well as adults and the elderly.

This year’s initiative marks a significant expansion, with the Foundation increasing the number of beneficiaries by doubling the total number of kits distributed to 50,000, up from 20,000 last winter. The effort reflects the Foundation’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations across several countries and regions worldwide.

The arab parliament has strongly condemned the israeli ban on the activities of the united nations relief and works agency for palestine refugees (unrwa) within palestinian territories. the parliament described this action as a crime against humanity and a blatant challenge to all international resolutions and laws regarding the protection of palestinian refugees.:he Arab Parliament has strongly condemned the Israeli ban on the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) within Palestinian territories. The Parliament described this action as a crime against humanity and a blatant challenge to all international resolutions and laws regarding the protection of Palestinian refugees.

According to Emirates News Agency, in a statement today, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Al-Yamahi emphasised the critical role of UNRWA, which provides aid and relief to approximately 6.4 million Palestinian refugees, including two million refugees in Gaza Strip currently facing unprecedented
aggression and starvation.

The Parliament Speaker called on the international community, the UN Security Council, international bodies, and human rights organisations to take immediate action to pressure Israel to reverse its decision and to support UNRWA in continuing its essential services for Palestinian refugees.

Dubai: The UAE Fuel Price Committee has officially approved and announced the fuel prices for November 2024. The new rates reflect adjustments across various categories of fuel, impacting residents and businesses alike.

According to Emirates News Agency, the approved prices are as follows: Diesel will be priced at AED2.67 per litre. Super ’98’ will cost AED2.74 per litre, while Special ’95’ will be available at AED2.63 per litre. E-Plus ’91’ will be offered at AED2.55 per litre.

These prices are set to take effect in November and are part of the regular monthly adjustment process that the committee undertakes to align with global fuel market trends. The committee’s decision is closely watched by consumers and industry stakeholders, given its influence on transportation and logistics costs across the country.

Sharjah: H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued an Emiri Decree for the promotion and appointment of the Chairman of the Sharjah Social Services Department (SSSD).

According to Emirates News Agency, the Decree mandates that Ahmed Ibrahim Hassan Al Meel, who previously held the position of Director of SSSD, is to be elevated to the rank of ‘Chairman of Department’ under the Sharjah Government’s Special Jobs System. In his new role, Al Meel will serve as the Chairman of the SSSD and will also join the Sharjah Executive Council (SEC) as a member.

Abu dhabi: Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, participated in a reception hosted by Husin Bagis, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the UAE, in celebration of Indonesia’s National Day. The event took place on Wednesday evening.

According to Emirates News Agency, the reception was attended by Abdullah Salem Al Dhaheri, the UAE Ambassador to Indonesia, several officials, and heads of Arab and foreign diplomatic missions accredited to the country. Also present were members of the business community and the Indonesian community residing in the UAE.

During the event, Ambassador Bagis praised the development in relations between the UAE and Indonesia. He noted the mutual commitment of the leaderships of both countries to enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields. Bagis also emphasized the significance of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed between the two nations, marking a substantial shift in their bilateral relations.

Abu dhabi: ADNOC, Masdar, and Microsoft have collaboratively released a groundbreaking report titled ‘Powering Possible: AI and Energy for a Sustainable Future,’ which delves into the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in steering the global energy sector towards a net zero future. The report underscores AI’s capability to enhance energy efficiency, manage intricate energy systems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and foster carbon-free energy innovations while addressing the burgeoning energy demands of AI technology itself.

According to Emirates News Agency, the report is the culmination of a comprehensive survey involving over 400 experts from various fields, including energy, technology, AI, academia, and finance. Notable figures such as Omar Al Alama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence; Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA; Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock; Professor Anima Anandkumar of Caltech; and Patrick Pouyanné, CEO of TotalEnergies, contributed to the survey. A significant 92 pe
rcent of energy executives believe AI will greatly enhance energy efficiency by 2030, and by 2050, 97 percent anticipate AI playing a central role in developing new energy solutions. These insights highlight AI’s potential to decarbonize traditional energy sources, drive efficiency, and expedite the energy transition.

The report’s publication precedes the upcoming ENACT Majlis, a CEO assembly led by Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Chairman of Masdar, and ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO. The ENACT Majlis will convene 60 global leaders from technology, energy, and finance sectors in Abu Dhabi on 3rd November to explore opportunities and solutions for sustainable AI growth.

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber remarked on the pivotal moment for human progress marked by three megatrends: the rise of the Global South, the accelerated energy transition, and AI’s rapid growth. He emphasized AI as an era-defining innovation that alters the pace of change, resetting productivity boundar
ies and progress possibilities. By addressing AI’s immediate challenges collaboratively, long-term benefits across the energy value chain can be unlocked, ensuring a sustainable future for generations.

The report emphasizes AI’s ability to mitigate methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. Advanced AI tools are expected to detect methane leaks with up to 20 percent greater accuracy than traditional technologies, supporting the Global Methane Pledge’s aim for a 30 percent reduction in emissions by 2030.

Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, highlighted the dual challenge of embracing the AI era while transitioning to a sustainable economy. He stressed the necessity of generating more carbon-free energy to power AI and using AI technology to optimize energy capacity and access globally. Collaboration across sectors is essential to accelerate collective progress.

Additionally, the report outlines a roadmap to address the rising energy demands of AI-driven data centers, projected to nearly doubl
e their global electricity demand share by 2026. While AI’s global electricity consumption remains relatively small, certain regions, such as the European Union, may see data center demand exceed 5 percent of total regional load by 2026. The report underscores the importance of technology and energy sector collaboration to meet electricity demand sustainably.

Masdar, the UAE’s clean energy leader, emphasizes AI’s potential to revolutionize the global clean energy industry. As data centers drive global energy demand, a multifaceted approach is crucial to harness AI’s full potential sustainably.

Dubai: Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) today announced that Emirates Airline, Amazon, Careem, and GEMS Education have joined forces under the Gig Economy Sandbox initiative to help develop regulations that enable the development of the gig economy. The announcement was made during an event in Emirates Towers, attended by Sandbox Dubai partners and officials from local regulatory bodies and government entities.

According to Emirates News Agency, Sandbox Dubai is an innovative platform dedicated to enhancing Dubai’s legislative and regulatory environment in line with future needs. Under the platform, government and private sector entities collaborate to create regulation and legislation that helps businesses to leverage new trends and technologies.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation, recently approved the Sandbox Dubai initiative as part of Dubai Economic Agen
da (D33). There are two sandboxes under the initiative – the Gig Economy Sandbox and the PropTech Sandbox.

Khalifa AlQama, Executive Director of Sandbox Dubai, emphasised the essential role of private sector partners in developing regulations, testing ideas and piloting projects to make Dubai the most future-ready city. AlQama said, ‘Sandbox Dubai team will work in collaboration with public and private sector partners to explore future opportunities and establish an ecosystem that gives everyone a chance to contribute to shaping the future of Dubai’s key sectors.’

Oliver Grohmann, Executive Vice President Human Resources for Emirates Group, expressed enthusiasm in supporting the Gig Economy Sandbox as a key initiative aligned with D33 objectives to advance new sectors and develop a future-ready knowledge-based economy. He highlighted the potential of the initiative in promoting innovation, boosting capacity, and broadening the talent pool in Dubai.

Ronaldo Mouchawar, Vice President of Amazon Middle East, A
frica, and Trkiye, noted the partnership with Dubai Future Foundation on the Sandbox Dubai Initiative as an opportunity to shape flexible working models and boost Dubai’s digital economy. He emphasized leveraging Amazon’s global expertise and technology to pilot programs that create new opportunities for talent and drive innovative solutions.

Andro Valdes, VP Operations at Careem Technologies, highlighted the initiative’s role in accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies by connecting public and private sectors. He emphasized the gig economy’s importance in enhancing efficiency and creating flexible earning opportunities.

Dino Varkey, Group Chief Executive Officer, GEMS Education, expressed delight in partnering with Dubai Future Foundation on the sandbox initiative, highlighting Dubai’s forward-thinking approach to public-private sector collaboration.

Gig Economy Sandbox aims to develop regulations to meet the needs of sectors that often require seasonal workers, including retail, hospitality, to
urism, aviation, education, transport, and logistics. It aims to boost the competitiveness and future-readiness of Dubai’s labour market, contributing to sustainable economic growth in Dubai and the UAE, while promoting greater flexibility for workers.

Abu dhabi: Alef Education Holding has announced its financial results for the period ending 30th September 2024. It marks Alef Education’s second set of results since its successful IPO in June 2024. Alef Education reported an 8 percent increase in adjusted profit before tax to AED379 million, driven by a solid revenue foundation from long-term contracts and a focus on achieving significant cost efficiencies throughout its operations.

According to Emirates News Agency, a key factor in the Company’s revenues, which rose 2.5% to AED551 million, is the long-term investment-grade contract with the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK). The contract will continue to provide reliable revenue over the next seven years, provisioning for a minimum of 80,000 students with a fixed fee per student.

Alef Education’s strategic focus on cost-cutting and operational efficiency led to significant savings, resulting in Adjusted EBITDA rising to AED395 million, marking a 6% year-on-year increase. Geoffrey Alp
honso, Chief Executive Officer of Alef Education, commented on the resilience and strength of their business model, highlighting consistent revenue growth driven by long-term strategic contracts such as the agreement with ADEK.

The company demonstrated strong operational performance in the first nine months of 2024, successfully converting approximately 13 percent of its 1.2 million users to paid subscriptions, resulting in more than 150,000 paid users across the Alef Education platform. This achievement was fueled by significant contract wins and a remarkable two-fold increase in B2B product sales. Notably, the number of unique paid schools in the UAE doubled from 82 to 164 this year, reflecting an expanding reach in the private sector.

Cali: Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, is leveraging her dual roles to champion effective nature-based solutions at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), held in Cali, Colombia. Al Mubarak emphasized the indispensable role of nature in maintaining biodiversity and promoting global resilience and economic stability.

According to Emirates News Agency, the conference, attended by approximately 14,000 delegates, continues through 1st November and marks the first gathering since the landmark COP15 in Canada in December 2022. At COP15, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted, setting ambitious targets to halt and reverse nature loss and protect 30% of terrestrial and marine territories. Al Mubarak advocates for integrating the United Nations Rio conventions on biological diversity, climate change, and deserti
fication to synchronize conservation efforts, climate mitigation, and adaptation initiatives.

Al Mubarak stresses the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and women in these processes, recognizing their fundamental contributions to crafting effective solutions. She also calls for restructuring financial flows to support rather than exploit nature, focusing on enhancing resilience and adaptation in the Global South. She delivered opening remarks at the High-Level Opening Session of Ocean Day, emphasizing the ocean’s centrality in achieving global biodiversity and climate goals.

At the COP16 High-Level Segment on Climate Change and Biodiversity, Al Mubarak highlighted the need for synergy between the Rio conventions, advocating for integrated strategies to amplify individual efforts towards holistic global environmental governance. In her keynote at ‘Nature-based Solutions in Africa: Unlocking the Potential of Nature Finance’, she called for increased investments to bolster economic and environmental resilience ac
ross Africa.

During the ‘Gender Equality for Climate and Conservation Solutions’ event, Al Mubarak highlighted the critical role of inclusive strategies, stating that empowering women and involving Indigenous Peoples are essential for crafting effective and sustainable solutions. At the IUCN pavilion’s ‘Launch of the Red List Campaign’, she reminded attendees of the intrinsic value of all species, emphasizing the importance of protecting them for their own sake.

Al Mubarak also showcased initiatives by the High-Level Champions for Climate Action, including the Ocean Breakthroughs supported by the Marrakech Partnership under the UNFCCC, and announced additional funding for the Coral Reef Breakthrough to secure the future of 125,000 km² of coral reefs with investments of over US$12 billion. She participated in the ‘Synergies between Biodiversity and Climate Change: from Science to Action’ high-level ministerial dialogue, which aimed to address challenges in implementing science-based actions benefiting both b
iodiversity and climate.

Her leadership underscores the critical interplay between nature conservation and climate strategy, advocating for cohesive approaches that integrate environmental protection with sustainable development goals. Al Mubarak’s efforts at COP16 highlight the importance of global cooperation to advance environmental and human development agendas.

Kuwait city: The Kuwaiti oil price increased by 78 cents, reaching US$71.92 per barrel on Wednesday, as reported by the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) on Thursday.

According to Emirates News Agency, Brent crude experienced a rise of $1.43, bringing its price to $72.55 per barrel. Similarly, West Texas Intermediate crude saw an increase of $1.4, resulting in a price of $68.61 per barrel.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Al ain: Preparations for the “Union Fortress 10” military parade, set to take place in December in Al Ain City, will commence on Friday. The Ministry of Defence has informed the public to anticipate loud sounds and increased activity involving aircraft and armored personnel carriers in Al Ain City, starting from Friday, 1st November 2024.

According to Emirates News Agency, in coordination with the organising committee, the Ministry is committed to providing a unique live showcase that reflects the dedication and advanced capabilities of the UAE Armed Forces in their mission to protect the nation, its citizens, and residents. The military parade aims to enhance the pride of the nation’s citizens and residents in their Armed Forces, highlight military expertise and technologies, and strengthen cooperation between the Ministry of Defence, security agencies, and various government entities in the UAE.

The Ministry has announced that the invitation to attend the ‘Union Fortress 10’ military parade is open to the
public. Attendees will be able to experience the parade firsthand in Al Ain City or via large screens placed on either side of the main platform and event area.