Saifee Rupawala, CEO of Lulu Group, Ashraf Ali MA, Executive Director, T. Abu Baker, Lulu Abu Dhabi Director, Ajay Kumar, Lulu Abu Dhabi Regional Director and other senior officials.
The new retail shopping destination provides an enriching experience for the citizens and residents of Shawamekh and its surrounding areas…reports Asian Lite News
Retail giant Lulu Group has expanded its presence in Abu Dhabi by opening a new hypermarket at Shawamekh Central Mall in the city’s suburbs.
Humaid Al Marzouqi, Director of Wathba Municipality Center, inaugurated the Hypermarket in the presence of Yusuf Ali MA, Chairman of Lulu Group and other dignitaries.
The latest retail shopping destination also offers enriching shopping experience to the citizens and residents of Shawamekh and its surrounding areas. The shopping centre also boasts of other tenants such as money exchange, ATM, F & B outlets, pharmacy, jewellery shop and other amenities making it a community oriented complete retail destination in the neighbourhood.
Anchor tenant Lulu hypermarket is spread over 85,000 square feet and comes packed with all the favourite shopping features that have made LuLu the top retail chain across UAE. A well-stocked supermarket with the choicest selection of ingredients from across the world, fresh food in the Hot Foods section, bakery, electronics, household need and much more.
Humaid Al Marzouqi, Director of Wathba Municipality Center, said: “we always extends support to projects and initiatives that serve the community, and Lulu, is one of the key supporters to such partnership between all government agencies in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. This new hypermarket will surely serve the diverse needs of residents in this locality and also support the local agriculture sector.”
On the occasion Yusuff Ali said, “as part of our expansion plan, we are on the track to open new hypermarkets across UAE in the coming years, which will give more employment to the local work force. In Abu Dhabi Emirate alone, we plan to open 7 new hypermarkets by next year, especially in the suburbs and interior regions, so that our shoppers don’t have to travel long distance for world-class shopping. We are proud to be part of UAE’s overall development and will continue to support sustainable development strategies of our visionary leadership” added Yusuffali.
Also present were Saifee Rupawala, CEO of Lulu Group, Ashraf Ali MA, Executive Director, T. Abu Baker, Lulu Abu Dhabi Director, Ajay Kumar, Lulu Abu Dhabi Regional Director and other senior officials.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), Government of Abu Dhabi handing over UAE Golden Visa to super star Rajinikanth in the presence of Yusuffali MA, CMD of Lulu Group. Also seen are V. Nandakumar, Rejith Radhakrishnan and Biju Kottarathil of Lulu Group
Rajinikanth met UAE Minister Sheikh Nahyan and visited the new BAPS Hindu Mandir and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi….reports Asian Lite News
The Abu Dhabi government has awarded Superstar Rajinikanth the prestigious UAE Golden Visa.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), Government of Abu Dhabi handed over the Emirates ID to the legendary actor in a function held at DCT HQ in Abu Dhabi in the presence of Yusuff Ali MA, prominent NRI and Vice Chairman of Abu Dhabi Chamber, who facilitated the entire process along with other officials.
“I am deeply honoured to receive the prestigious UAE Golden visa from Abu Dhabi Govt. My heartfelt thanks to Abu Dhabi govt. and also to my good friend Mr. Yusuffali MA, CMD of Lulu Group for facilitating this Visa and for all his support” said Rajanikanth after receiving the UAE Golden visa.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), Government of Abu Dhabi handing over UAE Golden Visa to super star Rajinikanth in the presence of Yusuffali MA, CMD of Lulu Group. Also seen are V. Nandakumar, Rejith Radhakrishnan and Biju Kottarathil of Lulu Group
The superstar also called on Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Cabinet Member and UAE Minister for Tolerance at his palace in Abu Dhabi. Later Rajinikanth also went to the newly constructed BAPS Hindu Mandir for darshan and to the Sheikh Zayed Graand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
Rajinikanth came to Abu Dhabi after wrapping up the shooting of his upcoming movie Vettaiyan. Recently, Rajini was spotted travelling with Yusuffali in the latter’s Rolls Royce in Abu Dhabi, the video of which has gone viral in the social media. Yusuff Ali is the Chairman of Lulu Group, one of the largest business conglomerate in the middle east.
The ADIBF, organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), is being held from 29th April to 5th May 2024 at ADNEC Abu Dhabi….reports Asian Lite News
Held under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, inaugurated the 33rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) from 29th April to 5th May 2024 at ADNEC Abu Dhabi.
The fair serves as a platform for publishers to explore the latest trends and releases in the publishing sector, offering an ideal opportunity for networking and building partnerships, as well as a prime destination for culture enthusiasts and readers to discover new releases.
ADIBF reflects Abu Dhabi’s leading global role in publishing and the promotion of Arab culture.
During the opening, His Highness toured the fair, which hosts around 1,350 publishers from 90 countries, embodying the current edition’s theme Where the World’s Tales Unfold.
Sheikh Theyab explored the highlights of local, Arab, and international publications, and engaged with exhibitors to gauge their opinions and expectations for future editions of the event.
He toured several pavilions, including the Guest of Honour pavilion, which this year celebrates Egypt. His Highness also visited the pavilion honouring renowned Egyptian author and novelist Naguib Mahfouz, this year’s Focus Personality.
Furthermore, the tour included the Book of the World corner, which was inaugurated this year for the first time with Kalila wa Dimna, by Abdullah Ibn Al Muqaffa.
Sheikh Theyab explored various activities and events hosted by ADIBF, including a platform for Saudi podcast Thmanyah, which is set to feature interviews and discussions with writers, in addition to the Arts Corner, and a special section hosting a comprehensive cultural programme for children and youth. Moreover, the tour included the Azbakeya Wall platform, which simulates the old and prestigious Azbakeya Wall Book Market in Egypt, marking the first activity under the Popular Book Markets programme introduced to the ADIBF agenda.
ADIBF is a global cultural event celebrating print and digital cultural content, providing an opportunity for publishers worldwide to explore the latest developments in the global publishing sector, hold meetings, and build partnerships. It also serves as a leading platform to support the development and growth of the publishing sector, and to promote Arabic as a language of culture, science, and creativity around the world.
The ADIBF’s comprehensive professional and cultural programme combines regional publishing sectors and creative industries, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s role in expanding the reach of cultural content by supporting reading, audio-visual and interactive offering, and reinforcing its position as a hub for Arabic publishing and global creative content.
Furthermore, the fair has enhanced its competitiveness and global standing, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s leading role in supporting Arab culture and the continued growth of the global publishing sector by facilitating communication among stakeholders from around the world. The event welcomes 145 new exhibitors and publishers this year, along with 12 countries joining for the first time, namely Greece, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Pakistan, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Mozambique, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Indonesia.
ADIBF’s rich programme includes innovative literary and artistic workshops, along with live musical performances, film screenings, and photo exhibitions depicting the journey of various creative minds, their life stories, and major achievements. Meanwhile, World’s Cuisine presentations shed light on world cultures and the most popular dishes in their traditional cuisines. The fair also hosts activities designed for children and youth, as part of its commitment to expanding its events, activities, and options for all ages.
This year’s edition of ADIBF introduces the Book of the World corner, spotlighting a book that has influenced world literature over the years and across various cultures. The programme has selected Kalila wa Dimna, by Abdullah ibn al-Muqaffa, to feature in its inaugural edition, coinciding with the art exhibition organised by Louvre Abu Dhabi entitled From Kalīla wa Dimna to La Fontaine: Travelling Through Fables.
Furthermore, the fair celebrates Egyptian novelist Naguib Mahfouz as this year’s Focus Personality, in appreciation of his significant role in promoting Arab culture around the world. Meanwhile, the fair celebrates Egypt as its Guest of Honour, in recognition of its prestigious cultural role and influence on Arab thought and knowledge. Egypt will be participating in the fair with an elaborate cultural and professional programme that reflects its cultural role in the Arab world and the publishing industry.
The event offers the audience a diverse set of activities and cultural events, and this year’s edition will see a comprehensive digital payment system implemented for the first time in the Fair’s history…reports Asian Lite News
The 33rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) kickstarts today, hosting 1,350 publishers from 90 countries, of which 140 publishers are participating for the first time.
The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2024 will be welcoming 12 countries participating for the first time, namely, Greece, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Pakistan, Cyprus, Mozambique, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Brazil.
The event offers the audience a diverse set of activities and cultural events, and this year’s edition will see a comprehensive digital payment system implemented for the first time in the Fair’s history.
The exhibition this year hosts the Arab Republic of Egypt as Guest of Honour to engage the audience with a rich and diverse cultural programme reflecting its intellectual, knowledge, and civilisational history. Egypt’s selection for the programme reaffirms the deep-seated and historic relationship between the two countries, underlining the ALC’s commitment to enhancing cultural and intellectual collaboration, building on Egypt’s role as a beacon of knowledge, culture, and art that has influenced the cultures and knowledge of the masses with creative content across various fields.
The ADIBF has chosen renowned Arab and international novelist Naguib Mahfouz as the Focus Personality of this year’s edition, in recognition of his great role and achievements that have long drawn attention to Arab culture and Arabic novels. This year’s Fair celebrates the first Arab author to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, making an undeniable impact with his literary works, most notably the ‘Cairo Trilogy’ and ‘Children of Gebelawi’, which were banned from publication in Egypt until recently, along with other influential works by the author.
The Cultural Programme includes a range of sessions, such as ‘Naguib Mahfouz: An Enduring Legacy’, ‘Naguib Mahfouz’s Descendants’, ‘Worlds of Naguib Mahfouz’, and ‘Naguib Mahfouz Novels in a New Format’, which introduces illustrated novels of the late author, to be published for the first time at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2024, among other sessions.
The plans announced are set to bolster Abu Dhabi’s Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) cluster, and kickstart the development of required infrastructure to operationalise air taxis…reports Asian Lite News
UAE’s first operational vertiport for vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) was unveiled in Abu Dhabi yesterday.
Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), in collaboration with the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and The Department of Municipalities and Transport – Abu Dhabi (DMT), represented by Abu Dhabi Mobility (AD Mobility), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport – Abu Dhabi (DMT), unveiled the vertiport at DRIFTx, an international event showcasing smart, autonomous, and sustainable urban mobility across air, land, and sea.
The temporary vertiport facility, constructed in line with the latest industry standards and regulations set by the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), offers a glimpse into Abu Dhabi’s strategy to deliver one of the world’s most advanced sectors for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) by 2026. AD Mobility will regulate the advanced air mobility sector in Abu Dhabi by working in conjunction with the UAE’s GCAA.
In this context, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the General Civil Aviation Authority, remarked: “Our collaboration with ADIO and AD Mobility underscores our commitment to fostering innovation while maintaining the highest levels of safety and regulatory compliance in the rapidly evolving field of advanced air mobility. Events like DRIFTx play a crucial role in accelerating the development of advanced air mobility in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the UAE. By bringing together industry experts, innovators, and stakeholders, DRIFTx facilitates invaluable dialogue and collaboration that propels us toward a future where smart and sustainable urban air transportation is a reality.”
The UAE’s GCAA initiative in establishing the world’s first national regulation on vertiports last year paved the way for advanced air mobility in the UAE, ensuring the availability of safe and suitable infrastructure to accommodate eVTOL aircraft. This bespoke regulation covers design, operations, and certification provisions for vertiports on land and in sea, demonstrating commitment to fostering innovation while prioritizing safety and regulatory compliance in the rapidly evolving aviation landscape.”
The temporary vertiport facility unveiled at DRIFTx was approved based on these rigorous standards, ensuring the highest levels of safety for operations. By pioneering this regulatory framework, the UAE’s GCAA sets an example for regulators worldwide, showcasing a proactive approach to facilitating the safe introduction of emerging technologies.
Abdulla Al Marzouqi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Mobility (AD Mobility), added: “The collaboration between ADIO and AD Mobility will see vertiports setup in strategic locations across Abu Dhabi, including major business hubs and tourism destinations. Once complete, the vertiport network will be a key enabler of Abu Dhabi’s SAVI cluster. Centred in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, it provides state-of-the art facilities and value-add services within an enabling regulatory environment for companies developing advanced technologies across air, land, and sea mobility applications. This is an exciting time for mobility in Abu Dhabi.”
Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO, said: “Abu Dhabi’s vertiport network will mark a significant milestone in transport innovation and the future of mobility. Our partnership with AD Mobility is pivotal for creating robust infrastructure to make smart and autonomous vehicles a reality and part of everyday life, propelling us towards a more connected and efficient future. The network will create extensive commercial opportunities for transport infrastructure companies, creating economic development alongside technological advancement.”
ADIO engaged with experts in the advanced air mobility sector that have gathered in the capital for the inaugural Abu Dhabi Mobily Week and outlined the commercial opportunities available to develop the capital’s vertiport infrastructure network through Abu Dhabi’s public-private partnership (PPP) framework.
The plans announced are set to bolster Abu Dhabi’s Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) cluster, and kickstart the development of required infrastructure to operationalise air taxis. SAVI offers access to academia, sandboxes, R&D labs, testing and certification facilities, large scale workshops, hangars, manufacturing facilities, and global logistics integration. This has attracted some of the world’s most innovative eVTOL companies, including Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation.
This year, the ADIBF pays homage to Egyptian novelist Naguib Mahfouz, celebrating Egypt’s profound influence on Arab thought and creativity. As the Focus Personality, Mahfouz’s legacy serves as a testament to the enduring power of literature to transcend borders and unite diverse communities…reports Asian Lite News
The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), is poised to make waves once again as it gears up for its 33rd edition in 2024. Renowned as a pinnacle event for the cultural community and publishing industry worldwide, this year’s fair promises to be bigger and more diverse than ever before.
With over 1,350 exhibitors from an impressive 90 countries, the ADIBF continues to uphold its status as a beacon of cultural exchange and literary exploration. The theme for this edition, “Where the World’s Tales Unfold,” encapsulates the essence of the fair, inviting visitors on a journey through the diverse narratives of global literature.
Taking place at the esteemed Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from April 29th to May 5th, 2024, the event boasts an impressive lineup of 145 new exhibitors and publishing houses, alongside the participation of 12 additional countries. From Greece to Indonesia, these nations contribute to the rich tapestry of cultures showcased at the fair, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a global cultural hub.
Central to the ADIBF’s success are the initiatives spearheaded by the ALC to support publishers, exhibitors, and authors. By waiving rental fees for participants for the third consecutive year, the ALC demonstrates its commitment to fostering the growth and sustainability of the publishing sector while promoting the prominence of the Arabic language on the world stage.
Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, emphasizes the fair’s pivotal role in facilitating intercultural exchange and promoting global dialogue. He remarks, “The sustained efforts and excellent support that the book fair has received have cemented its reputation as a global cultural center and a beacon of knowledge.”
This year, the ADIBF pays homage to Egyptian novelist Naguib Mahfouz, celebrating Egypt’s profound influence on Arab thought and creativity. As the Focus Personality, Mahfouz’s legacy serves as a testament to the enduring power of literature to transcend borders and unite diverse communities.
In a rapidly evolving world, the ADIBF remains a steadfast advocate for the preservation and promotion of literary heritage, offering strategic opportunities for growth and innovation in the publishing sector. As the fair continues to evolve, it reaffirms the UAE’s commitment to nurturing a vibrant cultural landscape and fostering global connections through the universal language of storytelling.
The session will highlight strategies for crisis-driven philanthropy, emphasising enhanced responsiveness, coordination, and impact…reports Asian Lite News
The AVPN Global Conference 2024 opens in Abu Dhabi tomorrow.This premier event is set to gather over 1,500 distinguished attendees, including investors, philanthropists, researchers, policymakers, and impactful professionals. Over the course of three dynamic days, participants will converge to address pressing social and environmental challenges, uniting their expertise and resources for collective action
The Conference, the flagship event of AVPN, Asia’s largest network of social investors, journeys to different locations every year, bringing together the region’s social investing ecosystem to learn, connect, and unite in action for Asia.
This year’s Conference takes place in Abu Dhabi from 23rd to 25th April 2024, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council.
It represents the most inclusive Conference to date, spanning from the GCC to the eastern reaches of Australia and New Zealand, bridging North, South, East, and West Asia and leveraging the UAE’s unique ability to unite diverse partners in the pursuit of shared good.
Conference highlights
The Global Conference includes more than 70 plenaries and breakout sessions, including live impact showcases, highlighting key social impact areas such as climate solutions, scaling health resilience, youth and women empowerment, and technology-driven impact. Additionally, Day 2 is dedicated to impact investing, underscoring the region’s growing emphasis on amplifying impact through targeted funding.
Highlighted features of the three-day agenda include 3 key sessions. The first, “Why We Give: Values, Beliefs, and Motivations that Drive Impact” (23 April), highlights how beliefs can inspire transformative giving practices across diverse communities, and the role of values-aligned giving in addressing Asia’s most pressing social issues. “Forging the Impact Investing Ecosystem and Navigating Emerging Trends” (24 April) provides first-hand accounts from leading investors on building adaptive and resilient social investing strategies to deepen the impact. Meanwhile, “Rapid Response Philanthropy: Accelerated Giving in Times of Crisis” (25 April) recognises the need for strategic fund allocation to ensure needs are met in times of crisis. The session will highlight strategies for crisis-driven philanthropy, emphasising enhanced responsiveness, coordination, and impact.
Sultan Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Development and International Organisations Affairs and member of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council, said, “This year’s AVPN’s conference is the first to be held in the Middle East, bringing together diverse stakeholders to mobilise capital, partnerships, and momentum towards social impact across Asia. Its debut in Abu Dhabi reflects the UAE’s legacy and leadership in global development and the country’s unique ability to convene and unite diverse partners in the pursuit of shared prosperity. The UAE has a rich history and culture of giving, rooted in the example of our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose lifelong commitment to helping those in need shaped the values of our nation – and has served to ensure Emiratis past and present understand their responsibilities as global citizens. Over the coming days, we look forward to dynamic conversations together as we explore opportunities to collaborate, innovate, and forge new alliances in support of humanitarian response as well as sustainable and inclusive development to ensure that no one is left behind.”
Naina Subberwal Batra, CEO of AVPN, said, “Hosting the AVPN Global Conference in Abu Dhabi comes at a crucial moment for the whole of Asia, a region currently navigating through transformative economic shifts with sustainability at their core. This transformation, while ambitious, must also be measured in societal terms. Achieving the targets set by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) demands a significant ramp-up in investments. With a financing gap of US$1.5 trillion urgently needing to be bridged, social investors must collaborate on multiple fronts to address our region’s socio-environmental challenges swiftly, efficiently, and fairly. The AVPN Global Conference continues to serve as a leading platform for facilitating and accelerating these efforts, and we are encouraged to see numerous stakeholders joining our shared mission towards meaningful social impact.”
Host partners such as the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, Reaching the Last Mile, Zayed Charitable & Humanitarian Foundation, Burjeel Holdings, and Alef Education have also lent their support to the Conference, representing the community and enhancing the region’s collaborative efforts. In addition, core partners lending their support and commitment to advancing social impact at the Conference include Emirates Red Crescent and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; while lead partners include The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, Johnson & Johnson Foundation, Visa Worldwide Pte Ltd, Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an, the Institute of Philanthropy, Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, and First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB).
The Abu Dhabi Police General Command noted they operationalised emergency plans and deployed support patrols, in addition to taking several precautionary measures…reports Asian Lite News
Abu Dhabi Police are fully prepared to handle the challenging weather conditions expected in the emirate until April 17th. They will be working closely with all relevant authorities to ensure public safety.
Abu Dhabi Police and relevant entities, including the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority (ADCDA), Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), Al Ain Municipality, Al Dhafra Municipality, and Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), will ensure to maintain the safety of the community and protect lives and property, Abu Dhabi Police General Command said in a statement today.
The Abu Dhabi Police General Command noted they operationalised emergency plans and deployed support patrols, in addition to taking several precautionary measures, including strengthening the manpower in the operations rooms.
The Abu Dhabi Police Command and Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority are urging the public to take all necessary precautions and follow the updates from the National Center of Meteorology and other official sources.
The two entities are also emphasising the importance of safe driving and following safety measures, including avoiding distractions while driving, adhering to speed limits during the implementation of the speed reduction system on the roads, maintaining a safe distance between vehicles, avoiding sudden braking, and slowing down when turning to prevent the vehicle from skidding.
The Department of Energy and energy sector companies have likewise raised their readiness of emergency and instructed urgent maintenance teams to respond quickly to all reports related to power outages resulting from weather fluctuations.
The Summit will host its most comprehensive knowledge-sharing programme to date, featuring more than 350 of the energy sector’s leading international experts…reports Asian Lite News
The World Future Energy Summit 2024, hosted by Masdar, opens today at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). Set to begin a three-day run, the 16th edition of the leading event for future energy and sustainability has a strong focus on advancing the change agenda laid down at COP28 in Dubai last November.
The Summit will host its most comprehensive knowledge-sharing programme to date, featuring more than 350 of the energy sector’s leading international experts, policymakers, academics, and future shapers. Each will deliver insights on how to navigate COP 28’s frameworks through five probing conferences and three dynamic forums.
“The combined speaker platform represents a high-density gathering of the industry’s foremost minds, each of whom will discuss and suggest potential pathways to achieving sustainability and renewable energy goals based on technology, changing policies, and evolving economics,” said Leen AlSebai, General Manager of RX Middle East and Head of the World Future Energy Summit.
“With a keen focus on the theme ‘The Energy To Lead’, this year’s Summit has emerged as a global think tank. Empowered by innovation, these experts and sector pioneers will bring to light solutions to our most crucial problems and cutting-edge solutions, which will inform the blueprints for a sustainable future. It will also firmly underline the UAE’s robust commitment to global sustainability and environmental cooperation.”
The Summit will feature six conferences focussing on Solar, EcoWaste, Water, Clean Energy, Smart Cities, and Climate & Environment, as well as a dedicated “Pathway to 1.5C” forum focused on outcomes from COP28 and two forums addressing Green Finance and e-Mobility.
The speaker platform reads like an almanac of the energy, commercial, and industrial sectors, featuring ministerial policymakers, scientists, financiers, business titans, digital disruptors, and agenda-setting climate change advocates. Together they will probe ways to unlock investment and find innovative instruments to close the climate finance gap, how to further private sector engagement with regulators and governments, integrate carbon into decision-making and asset valuation, and increase adaptation and resilience financing. They will also dig deep into various ways certain industries and sectors can contribute to tripling renewable power generation capacity to 11,000 GW, tripling nuclear energy by 2050, doubling energy efficiency this decade, reaching near zero-methane emissions by 2030, as well as cutting fossil fuels from the world’s energy production plans.
Delivering the opening address on guiding nations to a 1.5°C climate pathway will be Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President & CEO of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators, followed by Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency.
A running theme for day one, the Pathways to 1.5°C conference will also see Simon Birkebaek, Partner at BCG, discuss clean energy outcomes from COP28 and the road ahead, alongside a presentation by Mary Burce Warlick, Deputy Executive Director, International Energy Agency on delivering energy commitments and what actions are needed to meet Troika: Mission 1.5.
“To keep the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C within reach, countries must quickly build on the important energy pledges they made at COP28. Now is the time to transform promises into actions,” said Warlick. “With even stronger international cooperation needed through COP29 and COP30, this Summit provides a crucial opportunity to share the latest data, best practices and toolkits to tackle common challenges on the road to a more secure and sustainable energy future.”
Other panel discussions will see speakers such as H.E. Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group CEO, Emirates Steel Arkan; Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO, Emirates Global Aluminium; and Eng. Ali Al Dhaheri, MD and CEO, Tadweer Group discuss how to meet a 1.5°C climate threshold.
The Solar & Clean Energy Conference, also opening on day one, will see H.E. Eng Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure (MoEI) open proceedings, with H.E. Ahmed Alkaabi, Undersecretary Assistant for Electricity, Water & Future Energy Sector at MoEI delivering the keynote address at the Water Conference.
This year’s knowledge programme also features its largest female participation, with women speakers set to bring a critical perspective to a range of issues from climate change to sustainable tourism, smart city technology to circular economy integration, workplace diversity to learnings from COP28. It will also host a dedicated panel discussion on female entrepreneurs leading decarbonisation innovation, and a dedicated area for its Climate Innovations Exchange (CLIX) initiative – a curated platform where female-led, run, or founded startups, as well as SMEs and innovators, can demonstrate game-changing products and solutions to a global audience.
Their Highnesses, joined by sheikhs, guests and the crowd of well-wishers, performed the Maghrib prayer. Following the prayer, they attended the Iftar banquet hosted by H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan…reports Asian Lite News
H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has received H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, today at Al Bateen Palace, where they engaged in warm discussions about the importance of promoting community ties and Emirati values of compassion and generosity during Ramadan.
Their Highnesses and accompanying guests offered prayers for the enduring health and wellness of our leadership on this occasion, and to uphold the blessings of security, stability, and ongoing prosperity of our nation, under the guidance of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Their Highnesses, joined by sheikhs, guests and the crowd of well-wishers, performed the Maghrib prayer. Following the prayer, they attended the Iftar banquet hosted by H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Together, they prayed for the continuance of these blessed days for the United Arab Emirates, and for the prosperity and welfare of both its leadership and its people. Their Highnesses also exchanged heartfelt wishes for the long-lasting prosperity and blessings of Arab and Islamic nations worldwide.
