Category: Abu Dhabi

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Abu Dhabi blast: Mortal remains of 2 Indians to reach country today

The mortal remains of the two Indians killed in an oil tanker blast, carried out by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, in the UAE on January 17 will reach to India on Friday…reports Asian Lite News


All formalities for repatriation of mortal remains were completed by the Indian embassy in the UAE on Thursday.

“@IndembAbuDhabi completed all formalities for repatriation of mortal remains of 2 Indians deceased in Jan 17 incident. Remains reach Amritsar tomorrow morning. Highly appreciate the fullest support extended by Govt of UAE & @AdnocGroup . Tied up with Punjab Govt for local support,” tweeted Sunjay Sudhir, Indian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates.

The mortal remains will reach Punjab’s Amritsar and will be handed over to the families of the deceased.

Three people, including the two Indians, were killed in the blast in three oil tankers in a suspected Houthi drone strike on Monday, January 17 in Abu Dhabi.

ALSO READ: US mulls plan to put Houthis on terror list

The oil tankers belong to ADNOC company, the leading energy producer of UAE. Six others also got injured, including two Indians, who were admitted in hospital and later discharged the same day.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar expressed solidarity with the UAE in face of such “unacceptable” acts in a phone call with Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

UAE on Monday condemned the Houthi attack in the capital Abu Dhabi that killed three civilians, including two Indians. (ANI)

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-Top News Abu Dhabi UAE News

MBZ, US Defence Secy review strategic ties

MBZ, US Defence Secy review strategic ties

The US Defence Secretary reaffirmed his country’s condemnation of the attacks and emphasised standing by the UAE in the face of threats to its security and territorial integrity…reports Asian Lite News

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the US Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin, have deliberated the strategic relations between the UAE and the US across various levels, with special emphasis on military and defence fields.

This came during a telephone call today, where Sheikh Mohamed and Austin also reviewed a number of international and regional issues of interest.

The talks also touched on the recent Houthi terrorist militia attacks on civil facilities in the UAE and the threat they pose to regional security and stability, as well as the need for a decisive international stance in the face of such practices.

The US Defence Secretary reaffirmed his country’s condemnation of the attacks and emphasised standing by the UAE in the face of threats to its security and territorial integrity.

Sheikh Mohamed and Austin also discussed military and security cooperation between the UAE and the United States and means of boosting defence coordination, in the light of the recent terrorist attacks that took place in the UAE.

Earlier, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, received a phone call from the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.

ALSO READ: UAE Minister visits India Pavilion, condoles death of 2 Indians

During the phone call, Blinken affirmed the US’ condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist attack of the terrorist Houthi militia on civil areas and facilities in the UAE.

He also expressed his condolences to the UAE over the victims of this terrorist act and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.

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Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum to be carbon neutral

Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum to be carbon neutral

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has announced that the fourth edition of its landmark Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (ADSFF) will be a carbon-neutral event and platform…reports Asian Lite News

ADGM will collaborate with AirCarbon Exchange (ACX) to obtain its carbon neutrality status through an offsetting programme. This is done by purchasing carbon credits from a project that works to reduce or absorb carbon emissions.

The ADSFF is a purpose-driven and collective effort platform by the UAE’s financial sector to advance sustainable finance and investment of projects and initiatives that augment the country’s national climate goals and ambition towards a better and more sustainable future.

The ADSFF is a strategic extension of ADGM’s undertaking in supporting the UAE’s Net-Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiatives and commitment towards a thriving and sustainable economy. The Forum will convene international government decision-makers, top global institutional investors, regulators, financial institutions, entrepreneurs and innovators to share best practices and discuss industry challenges.

Abu Dhabi

The Forum will also facilitate and spark new areas of cross-border collaborations to increase efforts that foster sustainable financing and accelerate the flow of capital towards sustainable investments and projects.

Commenting on the forum, Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, said, “It is ADGM’s mandate and one of its key priorities in facilitating sustainable financing and responsible investments, as well as, addressing climate change and sustainability concerns that affect the financial sector, the economy and the long-term well-being of the UAE. The UAE has always been proactive and forward-thinking in its engagement and actions towards sustainability as demonstrated by its Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative and being the convener of COP28.

As the progressive international financial centre in Abu Dhabi, ADGM will continue to heighten its efforts in supporting the Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification agenda and the UAE’s commitment towards a sustainable future for its people and country. Lowering ADSFF carbon footprint is not only the right thing to do, but also a sensible business decision.”

ALSO READ: World Future Energy Summit kicks off in Abu Dhabi

The 4th ADSFF is a much anticipated forum that features key industry thought leaders and entrepreneurs including, Ban Ki-moon, President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council of the Global Green Growth Institute, Eight Secretary-General of the United Nations; Younis Al Khoori, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, UAE; Mohamed Ali AL Shorafa, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development; Mohammed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC); Dr. Maryam Al Suwaidi, Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA); Mary Shapiro, former Chair of the US SEC and Vice Chair, Glasgow Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ); Jean Lemierre, Chairman, BNP Paribas; Maria Ferraro, Member of the Executive Board and Chief Financial Officer, Siemens Energy AG, to name a few.

The themes of ADSFF include how regulations support sustainability, innovations, connecting investors to opportunities, the use of Islamic finance to support climate mitigation and adaptation and more.

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-Top News Abu Dhabi UAE News

World leaders rap attack on UAE targets

Statements of support have been pouring in for the UAE, with many countries condemning the “cowardly terrorist attack” which killed three civilians including two Indian and one Pakistani nationals, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk

The world leaders, organisations have condemned the Houthi attack against UAE that killed three civilians and injured six others in Abu Dhabi.

Two Indian nationals are among the three people killed and six injured in the explosions in Abu Dhabi on Monday as three petroleum tanker trucks blew up after catching fire near a major oil storage facility in the Mussafah area of the capital of UAE.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, received a phone call from His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Saudi Arabia who condemned the terrorist Houthi attack on civil facilities in the UAE.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince

The two leaders affirmed that such terrorist attacks that target the Kingdom of Saudi Araba and the UAE solidify the two nations’ determination to jointly stand up to these acts of aggression.

They added that these terrorist attacks affirm the need for the international community to stand up to these flagrant violations of international laws and norms and to condemn these terrorist crimes that threaten regional and international peace and security.

Abu Dhabi police said that the explosion involving three oil tankers and a fire in the construction site of the emirate’s new airport extension was potentially caused by drones.

“The fire provoked an explosion in three tanks for transporting fuel in the Misfah area near the fuel depots of the Emirati state-owned company ADNOC,” the police said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition destroyed 8 drones headed towards the kingdom, according to Al Jazeera.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree, at the same time as the attack, told the Almasirah broadcaster that the Yemeni rebel group will soon reveal details about the military operation in the UAE territory.

The UAE has been part of a Saudi-led military campaign against the Houthi rebels in Yemen since 2015. It intervened in Yemen’s civil war in 2015 as part of the Arab Coalition but scaled down its operations in 2019.

The official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki said the “hostile attacks of the terrorist, Iran-backed Houthi militia that deliberately targeted civilians, civilian objects and economic installations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates represent war crimes” and “the perpetrators of which must be held accountable.”

“Such crimes sound the alarm of the threat and danger this terrorist militia represents to regional and international security,” Al-Malki said in a statement.

The United states on Monday (local time) condemned the attack and vowed to stand beside Emirati partners against all threats to their territory.

“The United States strongly condemns today’s terrorist attack in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, which killed three innocent civilians. The Houthis have claimed responsibility for this attack, and we will work with the UAE and international partners to hold them accountable, read a statement by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

“Our commitment to the security of the UAE is unwavering and we stand beside our Emirati partners against all threats to their territory,” added Sullivan.

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss condemned the terrorist attacks. “I condemn in the strongest terms the Houthi-claimed terrorist attacks on the United Arab Emirates,” Truss tweeted.

France has condemned the attack “in the strongest terms.”

“These attacks threaten the security of the United Arab Emirates and regional stability,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said. “France expresses its support for the UAE in the face of these attacks,” he added.

Foreign Ministers of Jordan and Greece Ayman Al Safadi and Nikos Dendias respectively reiterated their country’s full solidarity with the UAE in all measures it is taking against threats to its security.

Yemeni Foreign Minister Dr. Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak expressed strong condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist attack, saying it is an unprecedented escalation and a systematic assault on civil facilities and civilians.

ALSO READ: India working with UAE to bring back mortal remains of two Indians

Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani also affirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s full solidarity with and full support for the United Arab Emirates in the face of all threats to its security and stability.

Meanwhile, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri underlined Egypt’s firm position in supporting the security and stability of the United Arab Emirates and the close link between Egyptian national security and the security of the UAE.

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres condemned the Houthi militia attack.

The Houthi militia has recently intensified cross-border drone and missile attacks against different Saudi cities. In February 2021, the Houthi militia launched a major offensive against the government army to capture the oil-rich province of Marib in central Yemen.

The Houthi group is on the radar of investigative agencies as they announced a terror attack plan against the UAE.

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-Top News Abu Dhabi UAE News

Jubail Island to expand urban green space

Jubail Island to expand urban green space

The new mangrove initiative will allow the introduction of new water channels to increase natural tidal flow conveyance into the surrounding wetland areas, reports Asian Lite News

 In solidarity with the UAE government and Abu Dhabi Environmental Agency, Jubail Island Investment Company, today announced it will support the UAE’s efforts to expand mangrove forest cover in the emirate by planting one million mangrove trees on the island within the next 10 years.

To date, 350,000 new seedlings have already been planted on Jubail Island and over the next decade, a total of 1,000,000 additional new mangroves will be planted in support of the country’s ambition to plant 100 million mangroves by 2030; representing an increase from 30 million, which was announced during this month’s COP26 Conference in Glasgow.

The announcement by JIIC reaffirms its ongoing efforts to promote socially and environmentally responsible development, in addition to actively implementing programmes to protect and enhance the island’s biodiversity.

Jubail Island to expand urban green space

The new mangrove initiative will allow the introduction of new water channels to increase natural tidal flow conveyance into the surrounding wetland areas.

Ponds, labelled as ‘Biodiversity Genesis Zones’, have also been created within the new channel system and will improve the flushing of the channels to enhance the overall water quality within the wetland system. These new littoral zones have been shaped adjacent to existing areas of the mangrove forest and saltmarsh and will also create additional habitat for native species.

In addition to the 350,000 seedlings already planted, Jubail Island has partnered with Etihad Airways to plant another 182,000 mangrove trees in the next five years at Jubail Island.

ALSO READ: Dubai Silicon Oasis partners with India Innovation Hub

Mounir Haidar, Managing Director of Jubail Island Investment Company, said: “We extend our sincere thanks to the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi for their continued support and guidance throughout our environmental initiatives, and for their strenuous efforts to work with partners with the common goal of protecting biodiversity and preserving the quality of life in the UAE for a sustainable future. At Jubail Island Investment Company, we are determined to develop Jubail into a prominent landmark destination that sets the standard for community development which will protect the natural environment and preserve the flora and wildlife that inhabits the island.

“Mangrove forests are an important part of the UAE’s natural assets, providing a haven for wildlife while also helping to reduce overall carbon emissions, releasing oxygen and reducing erosion and pollution in our waterways and coasts. It is only right that we support the UAE’s forward-thinking initiative by planting 1 million mangrove trees over the course of 10 years right here within Jubail Island. This planting initiative will further enhance Jubail Island’s position as a hub of ecotourism in Abu Dhabi as well as being an integral element of our overall landscaping plan for the island, which will be home to more than 10,000 residents when completed in late 2023.”

Nestled among the breath-taking natural beauty and rich biodiversity of the mangroves, and covering more than 2,800 hectares, Jubail Island is perfectly situated between Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, and will become Abu Dhabi’s leading sanctuary designed to appeal to wellness and nature enthusiasts.

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‘UAE keen to seize economic opportunities of energy transition’

‘UAE keen to seize economic opportunities of energy transition’

The UAE is keen to seize the economic opportunities presented by the energy transition…reports Asian Lite News

The UAE is keen to seize the economic opportunities presented by the energy transition, according to Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Special Envoy for Climate Change and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar).

Dr. Al Jaber made the remarks during the opening ceremony of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) and awards ceremony of the Zayed Sustainability Prize at Expo 2020 Dubai, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

Delivering the opening address at the first major global sustainability event after COP26 (the UN Climate Conference), Dr. Al Jaber appreciated the wise leadership’s keenness to ensure the safety of UAE citizens, visitors and residents. “Thanks to the efforts and vision of the leadership, the UAE has become the most vaccinated country against COVID-19 in the world, and we have also strengthened our resilience while extending a helping hand to more than 135 countries in need.”

Speaking to a live audience that included heads of states, ministers and policymakers, Dr. Al Jaber went on to detail how the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed, laid the foundation for the country’s progressive approach to climate change and sustainability and explained that the country is well-positioned to capitalise on the opportunities created by the energy transition.

Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber

“As the UAE celebrates its Golden Jubilee, we have seen 50 years of incredible progress. Our founding father, Sheikh Zayed, invested the wealth of a nation in the health of a nation. He balanced economic development with environmental responsibility. He believed that sharing made good nations great and guided the UAE to become one of the world’s leading humanitarian donors. And, more than this, he taught the people of this nation to aim for the stars, so that one day we would explore Mars, Venus and beyond.”

Dr. Al Jaber noted the world has also been transformed for the better over the last 50 years but this has posed fundamental questions of how to keep moving forward, while turning back the clock on emissions and how to enhance global prosperity.

“Finding the answers to these questions has been the mission of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and the Zayed Sustainability Prize. A mission that builds on the UAE’s position as a pioneer in clean energy. When we began investing in the renewables space more than 15 years ago, our leadership had a theory of the future that has been proven right over time. Today, the UAE is home to the largest and lowest cost solar plants in the world.”

Dr. Al Jaber added, “Globally, we see a bright future for the renewable energy sector as at least $3 trillion will be invested in renewable energy over the next 10 years. Through Masdar, we have invested in solar and wind energy projects in 40 countries around the world. Last month, under the direction of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, three of the largest energy companies in the UAE entered into a strategic partnership to consolidate Masdar’s position and turn it into a global leader in the field of clean energy.

ALSO READ: South Korea, UAE to speed up cooperation in hydrogen ecosystem

“Thanks to this partnership, Masdar doubled its total renewable energy capacity, and our ambition is to build on these solid foundations and reach 100 gigawatts, and then double it to 200 gigawatts. This represents a massive opportunity, and the UAE and Masdar extend an open invitation to all our partners, public and private, to join us on this ambitious journey. This growth will contribute to creating job opportunities, new sectors and skills, and opening a new door of hope for present and future generations.”

As the first country in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to announce a Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, the UAE is adopting a low carbon pathway to a high growth destination and is keen to accelerate progress on this journey as hosts of COP28, according to Dr. Al Jaber.

Expanding on COP28, which is set to be held in Abu Dhabi in 2023, Dr. Al Jaber took the opportunity to thank President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea and the Asia Pacific Group for their support in confirming the UAE as hosts. He went on to provide an insight into the UAE’s approach.

“The UAE is looking forward to playing its role as host of COP28 and we take on this role with humility and a sense of great pride and responsibility. We will work closely with the COP presidencies of the UK and Egypt and build on their momentum. We will take a practical approach, that moves from pledges to action, focused on commercially viable climate solutions.

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World Future Energy Summit kicks off in Abu Dhabi

World Future Energy Summit kicks off in Abu Dhabi

The World Future Energy Summit began today as part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week…reports Asian Lite News

The summit brings together industry leaders from around the world to showcase their technologies and innovations at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

The three-day Summit is the leading international event accelerating sustainability and the global transition to clean energy.

Exhibition, technology showcase, investment incubator and business forum all rolled into one event, the summit convenes leaders, innovators and global thinkers to share ideas that are creating the blueprints for a sustainable future.

ALSO READ: Abu Dhabi launches new tourism biz licencing initiative

The wider agenda for the ADSW Summit includes important sessions on the global energy transition, the future of transportation, the health energy nexus, carbon capture and storage, the blue economy, and the increasing importance of environmental, social, and governance criteria in making decisions. (WAM)

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Abu Dhabi Arab News World

Talks between South Korean President and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince cancelled

South Korean President Moon

Talks between visiting South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan are cancelled…reports Asian Lite News

The scheduled talks between visiting South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan were cancelled due to an “unforeseen matter of state” of the de facto ruler of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a senior Seoul official said.

Moon, who is in Dubai for a three-day visit as part of his week-long trip to the Middle East, had been scheduled to hold talks with the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince on Monday, but the talks were called off as the UAE side “politely asked for understanding for an unforeseen and urgent matter of state”, Yonhap News Agency quoted the official as saying.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

It was not immediately clear why the talks were cancelled.

Moon had planned to deliver a keynote address on carbon neutrality at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in Abu Dhabi on Monday and hold talks with the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince on ways to deepen bilateral cooperation over climate change, national security and defence, and public health.

Asked whether the cancellation was related to the Covid-19 situation in the UAE, the official replied that the latter side did not give the exact reason for the cancellation.

On Sunday, South Korea signed a preliminary deal with the UAE to sell Seoul’s midrange surface-to-air missiles to the Gulf nation, in the latest sign of deepening defence cooperation between the two nations.

ALSO READ: President Moon to use Middle East trip to explore business opportunities

The deal was signed after Moon held talks with UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai, Seoul’s presidential office said without providing further details, including the value of the memorandum of understanding.

The UAE is the first leg of Moon’s three-nation trip to the Middle East that will also take him to Saudi Arabia, as well as Egypt.

Moon will visit Riyadh on Tuesday and hold talks with Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

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UAE fuels global net zero drive

HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan

The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2022 will be the first major sustainability event after the COP26 climate change conference, and will act as a global catalyst for COP27, which will be held in Egypt in 2022, and COP28 event in 2023 … reports Arab Daily Newsdesk

The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2022 taking place from January 15-19 will convene global leaders, including heads of state, policy makers, and international business leaders, as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aims to take the agenda global sustainability forward and accelerate pathways to net zero.

Hosted by Masdar, ADSW 2022 will be the first major sustainability event after the COP26 climate change conference, and will act as a global catalyst for COP27, which will be held in Egypt in 2022, and COP28, which will be hosted by the UAE in 2023.

Held annually since 2008, ADSW has become one of the latest sustainability platforms in the world, with more than 45,000 people from 175 countries participating in ADSW 2020.

Mr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Chairman of Masdar, said: “The next few years will be pivotal as we work together across policy, business and industry to accelerate progressive climate action that will deliver economic opportunities and prosperity for current and future generations.

“The UAE has a long-term vision that will build on our longstanding track record in innovating climate solutions across the entire energy spectrum. Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week continues to offer an ideal platform for promoting, deploying and taking these climate solutions to scale around the world. Aligned with the UAE’s ‘Principles of the 50’, it provide opportunities for global collaboration, knowledge sharing, investment and advancing new technological innovations that will take the global sustainability agenda forward and turn plans into action.”

In addition to heads of state, leaders confirmed to participant at ADSW included Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General; Damilola Ogunbiyi, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for all and Chief Executive Officer of Sustainable Energy for All SEforAll; John Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate; Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs, President Designate COP27; Alok Sharma, COP26 President; Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization; Francesco La Camera, Director-General of International Renewable Energy Agency; Ferid Belhaj, Vice-President of the World Bank Group; and Ban Ki-moon, President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council of the Global Green Growth Institute.

Commenting ahead of her appearance at the ADSW, Halimah Yacob, President of the Republic of Singapore, said: “To deliver a sustainable future for our planet, the collective action of all stakeholders is needed. Even as we tackle the pandemic, we must not lose sight of other equally pressing global challenges.

 “Governments, businesses, researchers, communities and individuals all have a role in addressing the challenges of climate change.”

  The hosting of ADSW is a key component in the UAE’s positioning as a regional and global leader in sustainability and climate action.

ALSO READ: Abu Dhabi launches new tourism biz licencing initiative

  Last October, the UAE announced its Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, a national drive to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the first such initiative in the MENA region. The UAE was also the first Arab country to set voluntary clean energy targets, and the first Gulf state to sign the Paris Agreement.

 Further demonstrating the UAE’s leading role in driving action on climate change, at home, in the region, and throughout the world, the ADSW Opening Ceremony and the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony will take place at Expo 2020 Dubai on Monday January 17 to coincide with Global Goals Week.

All other ADSW events will take place in Abu Dhabi or virtually. Since its inception, ADSW has reflected the changing global sustainability landscape, broadening its scope from renewable energy and water, to include new global trends and topics like artificial intelligence, space and mobility.

The number of ADSW events has also expanded over time, with the additions of the IRENA Assembly in 2010, the Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy’ (WiSER) Forum in 2015, Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum in 2017, Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum 2019, and the virtual ADSW Summit in 2021.

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Abu Dhabi launches new tourism biz licencing initiative

Abu Dhabi launches new tourism biz licencing initiative

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has launched a new tourism business licencing initiative to support and accelerate the growth of the emirate’s tourism industry…reports Asian Lite News

Effective January, a revised fee structure is being introduced, capped at AED 1,000 annually, and applicable to tourism business licences.

This will be welcome news to existing licence holders who currently pay varying fee amounts, depending on the level of business activity, and will be a significant boost given the challenges the sector has faced over the past 18 months.

The new business licence offers an amended fixed-fee structure, with the blanket costs covering fees payable to several Abu Dhabi Government entities, including Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, the Department of Municipalities and Transport, Abu Dhabi Chamber membership fees and the Certificate of Conformity issuance fee.

It also covers Abu Dhabi’s regulation fees, with the amount adjustable depending on the type of business applying. Overall, the changes represent an almost 90 percent reduction in total licence fee costs.

ALSO READ: Abu Dhabi to convene global leaders at Sustainability Week

The licence fee cap aims to benefit existing businesses in the emirate and encourage new investors to start ventures, elevating Abu Dhabi’s competitiveness as a leading destination regionally and internationally with its dynamic leisure, culture and MICE tourism sectors.

The initiative is part of the Abu Dhabi Government’s broader strategic plans to develop the UAE capital further and cement its position as a preferred destination for travellers and tourism investment.

Hamad Mohammed Saeed Alsudain, Licencing and Regulatory Compliance Director at DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “The new licencing fee structure is a tangible demonstration of our unwavering support of the tourism sector, and will benefit those wishing to open, continue or expand their tourism business across Abu Dhabi. Regardless of the type of organisation or size, applicants can feel confident that we are partners and focused on their growth.”

This initiative, he said, will enhance the competitiveness of the business environment and attract increased investment, strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a global tourism, cultural and entertainment destination.