Tag: UAE

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Hundreds of tonnes of food from UAE reach Gaza

The UAE remains committed to supporting all humanitarian efforts alongside the international community to mitigate the crisis…reports Asian Lite News

The United Arab Emirates has partnered with the American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera) to scale the humanitarian assistance to the brotherly people of Gaza and address the humanitarian crisis.

Today, 400 tonnes of food have reached Ashdod port via Larnaca in Cyprus to be loaded into trucks and head to Gaza to deliver urgently needed aid to meet the needs of the people of Gaza.

“There remains a critical need – today more than ever – to deliver lifesaving humanitarian relief to the Gaza Strip. By land, air and sea, the UAE continues to seek all possible avenues to provide urgent humanitarian aid and food to the Strip. The UAE is keen to cooperate with all partners in the international community to provide relief to civilians in the Gaza Strip who are suffering from tragic humanitarian conditions,” stated Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation.

“Anera is enormously grateful to be partnering with the UAE Government to deliver food and other critical aid to Palestinians in Gaza. This is hopefully the first of many ship- and truck-loads of thousands of tonnes of aid to come. We will bring as much of this as possible to the north where many are at severe risk of death by starvation. Anera has served over 24 million meals in Gaza since mid-October, and this partnership will serve many millions more at a very critical moment,” said Anera CEO and President Sean Carroll.

The UAE remains committed to supporting all humanitarian efforts alongside the international community to mitigate the crisis, and appreciates the support of the Government of Cyprus and the Amalthea Initiative in this regard.

To date, the UAE has delivered more than 31,000 tonnes of urgent supplies, including food, relief and medical items, dispatched through 250 flights, 38 airdrops, 1,160 trucks, and three ships.

ALSO READ: UAE welcomes 16th group of wounded Palestinian children

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UAE fits prosthetics for wounded Palestinians in Gaza

The hospital announced that 61 prosthetics will be delivered to the injured in several stages…reports Asian Lite News

The UAE field hospital in Gaza has begun fitting prosthetics for wounded and injured who lost limbs during the catastrophic events in the Gaza Strip.

The hospital announced that 61 prosthetics will be delivered to the injured in several stages. In each stage, prosthetics will be fitted for 10 injured people with physical and psychological rehabilitation.

The UAE field hospital in Gaza, which was inaugurated last December, has a capacity of 200 beds and includes a medical staff of 98 volunteers from 23 nationalities, including 73 men and 25 women.

The hospital has so far performed 1,517 major and minor surgeries and has treated more than 18,000 cases over the past months that required medical intervention by the hospital team to deal with and provide the necessary treatment and care, starting from first aid, through necessary surgeries to save lives, providing the necessary treatments and medicines, and ending with intensive care and care for these cases, in addition to consultations and medical services.

ALSO READ: UAE welcomes 16th group of wounded Palestinian children

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-Top News Abu Dhabi UAE News

Abu Dhabi International Book Fair begins today

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.

ALSO READ: Abu Dhabi unveils UAE’s first operational vertiport

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Dubai is best maritime city in Arab World

The report highlighted Dubai’s accent on green technology in the maritime sector….reports Asian Lite News

Dubai has once more showcased its appeal as an international maritime hub in the 2024 Leading Maritime Cities (LMC) report, securing the top spot in the Arab world and ranking 11th globally, moving up two places compared to the previous report in 2022. Dubai’s impressive showing as a maritime centre received due recognition in an international report launched recently in Singapore by DNV and Menon Economics, companies specialising in evaluating maritime capitals worldwide.

According to the report, Dubai’s rise in the Leading Maritime Capitals index for 2024 is attributed to five key factors: shipping centres, maritime technology, ports and logistics, attractiveness and competitiveness, as well as financial and legal aspects. The report also highlighted Dubai’s accent on green technology in the maritime sector.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), expressed pride in the achievement, attributing it to the efforts of the Dubai Maritime Authority (DMA) within PCFC in enhancing Dubai’s leading position on the global maritime map. The visionary leadership and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the constant support from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, were instrumental in every success Dubai notched on the global stage, he added.

Strategic plans and initiatives

Bin Sulayem noted that the Dubai Maritime Authority spearheads Dubai’s progress on this front through a comprehensive range of strategic plans and initiatives aimed at enhancing the maritime sector’s competitiveness, serving as a key driver for sustainable growth and development. He praised the specialised teams working within the PCFC for playing an integral part in the accomplishment that adds to Dubai’s many notable firsts and inspires its quest to continue striving for global excellence and enhancing maritime services.

He also expressed his appreciation for the efforts of all partners involved in achieving the milestone, emphasising the PCFC’ efforts in strengthening strategic partnerships between Dubai and leading global maritime hubs, fostering effective dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of best international practices in research, development, innovation, and maritime services.

Innovation focus

Dr. Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al-Maktoum, the Executive Director of the DMA, reiterated the Authority’s commitment to leveraging research, development, and innovation to enhance integrated logistics programmes in keeping with the highest professional safety standards, best environmental practices, and local and international regulations, positioning Dubai as a global leader.

“This is a clear indication of the effectiveness and efficiency of Dubai Maritime Authority’s comprehensive development strategy. Dubai’s achievements in the Leading Maritime Capitals index reflect its strength and economic attractiveness, distinguishing its position as a global hub for security and stability, leading in advanced areas of security, technology, financial matters, and green technology,” he added.

In addition to the LMC ranking, Singapore has retained its title as the leading maritime city in the world for 2024, while Dubai led the Arab maritime capitals and ranked 11th globally, showcasing initiatives within its strategic plans to advance its global position and excel in this vital sector.

ALSO READ: UAE welcomes 16th group of wounded Palestinian children

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Dubai to have world’s largest airport

With the new terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport set to be built at a cost of AED128 billion, the airport will be five times the size of DXB….reports Asian Lite News

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, reviewed the strategic plan of the Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects and approved designs for the new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, which will be the largest in the world when fully operational. Set to be built at a cost of AED128 billion, the new terminal will ultimately enable the airport to handle a passenger capacity of 260 million annually.

The approval came during His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s visit to the Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, accompanied by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

Sheikh Mohammed said, “Today, we approved the designs for the new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, and commencing construction of the building at a cost of AED128 billion as part of Dubai Aviation Corporation’s strategy.

“Al Maktoum International Airport will enjoy the world’s largest capacity, reaching up to 260 million passengers. It will be five times the size of the current Dubai International Airport, and all operations at Dubai International Airport will be transferred to it in the coming years. The airport will accommodate 400 aircraft gates and feature five parallel runways. New aviation technologies will be employed for the first time in the aviation sector,” he said.

“As we build an entire city around the airport in Dubai South, demand for housing for a million people will follow. It will host the world’s leading companies in the logistics and air transport sectors,” His Highness added. “We are building a new project for future generations, ensuring continuous and stable development for our children and their children in turn. Dubai will be the world’s airport, its port, its urban hub, and its new global centre.”

Also accompanying Sheikh Mohammed during his visit were H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai; H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group; and Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Office.

Master plan reviewed

Sheikh Mohammed reviewed the master plan for the Airport of the Future, which, upon full development, will emerge as the world’s largest airport, covering an expansive area of 70 square kilometres. The airport will have an ultimate capacity exceeding 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo per annum.

During the event, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed was briefed on the key design features and strategic implementation plan for the airport.

Commenting on the occasion, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed stated, “With the continuous support and blessings of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and in keeping with his vision for the Aviation industry in Dubai, we announce the commencement of the design and construction process for the new airport at Jebel Ali. It is expected that the first phase of the project will be ready within a period of 10 years, with a capacity to accommodate 150 million passengers annually.”

Addressing anticipated growth

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed emphasised, “The new airport, which will ultimately be over five times the size of Dubai International, will prepare the ground for the next 40 years of anticipated growth in Dubai’s aviation sector. It will respond to the Hub Airline ambitious plans in terms of fleet acquisition and passenger growth. The airport will provide cutting-edge technologies, passenger facilities with unmatched level of service, and state-of-the-art aviation support facilities.

“Al Maktoum International (AMI) is planned in such a way as to represent a leap into the future. It will comprise of five parallel runways with a quadruple independent operation, west and east processing terminals, four satellite concourses with over 400 aircraft contact stands, uninterrupted automated people mover system for passengers, and an integrated landside transport hub for roads, Metro, and city air transport.

While embracing sustainability, Al Maktoum International will strongly contribute to mitigate environmental emissions, aligning with the UAE’s vision for a sustainably built environment. Its integrated approach is targeted to leverage local resources and climatic conditions achieving exemplary efficiency targets and sustainability goals. AMI aims to achieve a LEED Gold Certification.”

Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, highlighted the economic benefits of the project. “The development of this new airport will be an integral part of Dubai’s economy and major contributor to the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). It will generate estimated workforce and residential requirement for over a million people living and working in Dubai South (the aerotropolis), which has been under development and operation since 2007,” he said.

ALSO READ: Sudan demands UN meet on UAE ‘aggression’

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Financial Pioneers Honoured in Dubai

Dubai witnessed the launch of a new book featuring 35 top financial pioneers in the UAE. Prominent people from the business, economy and diplomatic sectors attended the event to witness the unveiling of “CA (Class Apart), Makers of World Economy”: A Groundbreaking Exploration of Financial Pioneers…reports Asian Lite News

Dubai-based DCom Designs has launched the “CA (Class Apart), Makers of World Economy.” This compelling first ever Coffee Table book delves into the remarkable stories of renowned financial institution owners, visionary businessmen in the finance field, and trailblazing accountants who have etched their names in the annals of global economics.

Prominent people from the business, economy and business sectors attended the event. H.E. Ambassador Aklilu Kebede of Ethiopia said  this kind of book is going to great for the next generation. Mr. Khaled Al Fahim, businessman and board member at Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted the importance of chartered accountants for the growth of economy.

“I am happy to be part of this event,” said H.E. Yaqoob Al Ali, a prominent Emirati businessman.

Mr. Paras Shedadpuri, a former diplomat turned entrepreneur and Chairman of Nikai Group, recalled the value of chartered accountancy (CA) when he founded his company years ago, and how it transformed it into a successful corporate entity.

“At its core, ‘CA (Class Apart), Makers of World Economy’ is a celebration of human ingenuity and perseverance,” says Vikas Bhargava. “It underscores the transformative power of vision, determination, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Through the stories shared within these pages, readers will discover that regardless of background or circumstance, greatness is within reach.”

ALSO READ: Abu Dhabi unveils UAE’s first operational vertiport

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Sudan demands UN meet on UAE ‘aggression’

Chairman of Sudan's Transitional Military Council Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan speaks during the signing ceremony of the political and constitutional declarations to mark the beginning of the transitional rule, in Khartoum, Sudan. (Xinhua/Mohamed Khidir/IANS)

For months the regular army has accused the United Arab Emirates of supporting the RSF, a charge the UAE denies…reports Asian Lite News

Sudan has requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting on what it calls UAE “aggression” for allegedly supporting paramilitaries battling the army, a diplomatic source said Saturday.

The fighting broke out in April last year between the regular army, headed by Sudan’s de facto leader Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

For months the regular army has accused the United Arab Emirates of supporting the RSF, a charge the UAE denies.

“Yesterday, our permanent representative to the United Nations submitted a request for an urgent session of the Security Council to discuss the UAE’s aggression against the Sudanese people, and the provision of weapons and equipment to the terrorist militia,” the source told AFP.

The country’s official SUNA news agency confirmed that Sudan’s UN representative, Al-Harith Idriss, had submitted the request.

SUNA cited Idriss as saying this was “in response to the UAE representative’s memorandum to the Council,” and that “the UAE’s support for the criminal Rapid Support militia that waged war on the state makes the UAE an accomplice in all its crimes.”

In a letter to the Security Council last week, the UAE foreign ministry rejected Sudan’s accusations that it backs the RSF.

The letter said the allegations were “spurious (and) unfounded, and lack any credible evidence to support them.”

Separately on Saturday, the UN Security Council expressed “deep concern” over escalating fighting in Sudan’s North Darfur region and warned against the possibility of an imminent offensive by the RSF and allied militias on El Fasher.

The city is the last Darfur state capital not under RSF control and hosts a large number of refugees.

United Nations officials put out similar warnings Friday, with the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk expressing his “grave concern.”

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ spokesperson’s office said an attack on El Fasher “would have devastating consequences for the civilian population… in an area already on the brink of famine.”

The Sudan war has killed tens of thousands of people and forced more than 8.5 million people to flee their homes in what the United Nations has called the “largest displacement crisis in the world.”

In December, Khartoum demanded that 15 Emirati diplomats leave the country after an army commander accused Abu Dhabi of supporting the RSF, and protests in Port Sudan demanded the expulsion of the UAE ambassador.

The Wall Street Journal, citing Ugandan officials, reported last August that weapons had been found in a UAE cargo plane transporting humanitarian aid to Sudanese refugees in Chad, prompting a denial from Abu Dhabi.

ALSO READ: ‘African economies to grow 3.4% in 2024’

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UAE welcomes 16th group of wounded Palestinian children

The UAE’s hospitals provide the highest levels of healthcare for the injured and cancer patients, in embodiment of the directives of the country’s wise leadership….reports Asian Lite News

The 16th group of wounded Palestinian children and cancer patients arrived in the UAE on early Saturday in implementation of the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to provide medical treatment for 1,000 injured children and 1,000 cancer patients from the Gaza Strip at the UAE’s hospitals.

Departing from Al Arish International Airport in the Arab Republic of Egypt, the plane landed at Zayed International Airport, carrying 25 patients in urgent need of medical assistance, accompanied by 51 family members.

Upon landing, medical teams swiftly transferred the wounded and those in need of immediate care to hospitals for treatment, while other cases and their companions were taken to their residence in the Emirates Humanitarian City.

The UAE’s hospitals provide the highest levels of healthcare for the injured and cancer patients, in embodiment of the directives of the country’s wise leadership.

Families of patients and the wounded expressed their thanks and appreciation to the United Arab Emirates and its wise leadership for this noble humanitarian initiative, which sets a unique model of solidarity and support between sister nations.

They affirmed that the United Arab Emirates has always and still been the first to extend a helping hand and provide relief to the Palestinian people, supporting them in all circumstances. They also valued the efforts of the medical and volunteer teams that provided them with full support.

Since the outbreak of the crisis in the Gaza Strip, the United Arab Emirates has rushed to provide all forms of humanitarian, relief and aid supplies to the brotherly Palestinian people, as part of the “Chivalrous Knight 3” humanitarian operation.

Towards that end, the UAE has also established a 150-bed field hospital in Gaza and the Floating Hospital in Al Arish port, equipped with 100 beds, operating rooms, intensive care units, radiology, laboratories, pharmacies, and medical warehouses.

ALSO READ: British troops may deliver Gaza aid

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Abu Dhabi unveils UAE’s first operational vertiport

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.

ALSO READ-Abu Dhabi Readies For ‘Ahlan Modi’

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UAE, Austria vow to deepen ties

During the ceremony, the two sides praised the progress made in their bilateral relations, stressing the need to continue strengthening joint work…reports Asian Lite News

UAE Minister of Industry Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber has met with Karl Nehammer, Chancellor of Austria Alexander Schallenberg, Austria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Magnus Brunner, Austria’s Minister of Finance, and a number of Austrian government and private sector officials in Vienna.

Dr. Al Jaber conveyed the greetings of the UAE leadership, emphasising their keenness to bolster UAE-Austria cooperation. He also praised the strong Emirati-Austrian relationship, spanning 50 years, which continues to grow and thrive, highlighting the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership announced in 2021 as a recent example. Dr. Al Jaber stressed the importance of further expanding existing ties through the pursuit of new collaborations that drive mutually beneficial and sustainable economic yields, and joint investments that drive economic diversification efforts, strengthen cooperation, and deliver benefits for both countries in vital sectors.

Dr. Al Jaber also commended Austria’s positive and active participation in COP28, where it announced an increase in its contribution to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to €160 million per annum, its support for initiatives to boost renewable energy production capacity threefold and double energy efficiency by 2030, as well as its announcements and commitments related to agriculture, food systems and health.

The Austrian side praised the strategic ties and affirmed the desire to advance them across all sectors within the strategic partnership, which includes political, economic, trade, financial, cultural, advanced technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) fields, as well as infrastructure, energy, and renewable energy. They also congratulated the UAE on its presidency and organization of COP28, during which it succeeded in delivering the UAE Consensus to transition away from fossil fuels in energy, and other strategic initiatives and commitments set to turbocharge global climate action. The two sides stressed the importance of building on the outputs of the conference and working to implement them.

First Ministerial Meeting

Chaired by Dr. Sultan Al Jaber and Alexander Schallenberg, the first ministerial meeting of the UAE- Austria Comprehensive Strategic Partnership took place during the visit. The meeting included deliberations on the latest developments in bilateral relations related to all facets of the partnership, which includes political, diplomatic, and international cooperation areas, including strengthening diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving global crises that threaten international peace and security. It also discussed cooperation across economic, energy, trade, industry, and advanced technology fields, including AI and data centers, as well as cross-sectoral partnerships and collaboration in arts, culture, and heritage.

Half a Century of Bilateral Ties

The Austrian Chancellor hosted the UAE delegation at a private meeting in which both sides celebrated the golden jubilee of the establishment of the bilateral relations between their countries, which developed into a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2021, aimed at ushering in an ambitious phase of cooperation to achieve their shared aspirations for further development and prosperity. During the ceremony, the two sides praised the progress made in their bilateral relations, stressing the need to continue strengthening joint work and uncovering new cooperation prospects to reach the ambitions of the leaderships of the two countries and the objectives of the UAE-Austria Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

ADNOC-OMV @ 30

“It is our honor to celebrate two significant anniversaries during the visit of His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber. This year marks 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries and 30 years of a strong partnership between OMV and Abu Dhabi. As the Finance Minister of the Republic of Austria, I am pleased that amidst the diplomatic visit, there is also time and space to highlight the economic partnership. Economic cooperation is not only beneficial for the positive development of companies but also a success story for taxpayers,” stated Finance Minister Dr. Magnus Brunner.

The partners also celebrated the occasion of nearly three decades of the cooperation between ADNOC and OMV, based on a shareholder´s agreement with ÖBAG, the state holding company, which has greatly contributed to building strategic partnerships in the energy and chemicals sectors, creating value, driving growth, and supporting the priorities of the two countries in achieving and maintaining energy security, and exploring new opportunities in the fields of clean and renewable energy, including hydrogen

Trade and Direct Investments

The UAE is Austria’s top investment partner in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and sixth globally, with Emirati investments amounting to approximately $8.2 billion (4% of total foreign investment flows in Austria) in 2023, while Austria stands at 10th among the UAE’s trading partners at the European Union level. The UAE also ranks first as Austria’s largest trading partner among the GCC countries (43% of Austria’s total trade with GCC countries) and second among Arab countries (16% of Austria’s total trade exchange with Arab countries). The volume of UAE-Austria non-oil trade in the first nine months of 2023 recorded a growth of 18% year-on-year reaching around $1 billion.

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