New York state Senator Kevin Thomas introduced a resolution to mark the anniversary of the union of the UAE….reports Asian Lite News
The State of New York has declared December 2, 2021, as “Emirati Day” to commemorate the UAE’s 50th anniversary of nationhood, media reported.
New York state Senator Kevin Thomas introduced a resolution to mark the anniversary of the union of the UAE.
Senator Kevin Thomas tweeted: “Proud to join His Excellency Consul General Abdalla Shaheen at the UAE Consulate in NYC to present a legislative resolution in honor of the UAE’s 50th Anniversary declaring December 2, 2021 as EmiratiDay in NewYork State!”
The UAE Consulate in New York City also tweeted: “In celebration of the fiftieth year of the founding of the UAE, Senator from New York State Senator Kevin Thomas introduced a resolution declaring December 2, 2021, ‘Emirati Day’ in New York State.”
(Credit twitter@@SenKevinThomas)
Senator Thomas was born in Dubai and immigrated to New York state at the age of ten, the Gulf News reported.
Thomas represents New York’s 6th Senate District.
Gulf News quoted Senator Kevin Thomas as saying: “From business to trade to fashion to education, New York state has always had strong ties with the UAE. New York remains one of the most popular destinations for Emirati students pursuing higher education. I am pleased to have the opportunity to recognise the cultural significance of the ‘Year of the 50th’, which represents a defining moment in UAE history, by declaring December 2, 2021, as Emirati Day in New York state.”
Earlier this year, the Group also launched its innovatively designed Service Station of the Future, located at the Expo 2020 site…reports Asian Lite News
ENOC Link, the digital mobile fuel delivery service for businesses in the UAE by ENOC Group, has signed an agreement with Expo 2020 Dubai to supply its fleet with more than 1 million litres of fuel.
Earlier this year, the Group also launched its innovatively designed Service Station of the Future, located at the Expo 2020 site, which will serve the public at District 2020, the smart human-centric community that will be Expo’s physical legacy after the event concludes on March 31st, 2022.
“Expo 2020 is a global event that Dubai has the privilege of hosting this year, and as the official integrated energy partner, we are proud to offer our innovative digital solutions to ensure smooth and seamless operations through uninterrupted access to fuel for the fleet,” said Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Group CEO of ENOC.
“We are committed to developing innovative technologies and solutions that enhance customer service and support the growth of the economy,” he added.
Manal AlBayat, Chief Engagement Officer, Expo 2020 Dubai, said, “Expo 2020 is the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia and the largest event ever held in the Arab world. For an event of this scale, identifying ways to maximise efficiency behind the scenes is imperative. Thanks to ENOC Link and its cutting-edge digital technology, Expo’s back-of-house process will be safe, streamlined and seamless, supporting Expo’s goal to showcase ideas and innovations that are shaping the future.”
The council will oversee the execution of government genomics programmes and propose legislations to govern the field…reports Asian Lite News
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the formation of UAE Genomics Council to provide a world-class healthcare system.
The new council, to be headed by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, will oversee the implementation of the Emirati Genome Programme into the healthcare system across the country.
Incorporating genomics into the healthcare ecosystem is part of the UAE’s efforts to carry out therapeutic and preventative programmes that help reduce the prevalence of genetic disorders, disabilities and mortality rates.
The council will oversee the execution of government genomics programmes and propose legislations to govern the field in coordination with health regulators across the country. It will regulate data acquisition and storage and establish a system for issuing ethics and consent approvals for all genomics programmes.
As part of its role in governing multiple novel programmes, including the national biobanking programme, the council will support technology start-ups and companies and build partnerships with world-leading technology firms to drive cutting-edge genomics research.
Among the council’s responsibilities is supporting new innovative therapies for rare and chronic diseases and developing technical training and graduate programmes and knowledge incubators to build the next generation of omics professionals.
Council members include Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention; Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Technology; Omar AlOlama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications; Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi; Awad Saghir Al Ketbi, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority; Dr. Amer Ahmad Sharif, Vice Chancellor of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences; Professor Dr. Eric Xing, President at Mohamed bin Zayed University of AI; and George Church, Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School.
The programme will develop the skills of 105 Emirati 11th-grade high school students and 33 counsellors from nearly 47 schools across the UAE…reports Asian Lite News
The UAE Ministry of Education has launched the Universities Readiness Programme (UURP), a university-geared upskilling programme developed as part of a new multi-stakeholder collaboration with the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education (AGFE), AMIDEAST and the US Mission to the UAE.
The programme will develop the skills of 105 Emirati 11th-grade high school students and 33 counsellors from nearly 47 schools across the UAE to navigate the admissions process of higher education institutions in the US.
The 15-month-long programme, which is currently underway and being delivered online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, seeks to improve acceptance and enrollment opportunities for Emirati students applying to colleges and universities across the US.
As part of the collaboration, the students will take part in an interactive, engaging after-school enrichment programme. It will focus on fostering their English-language competencies and developing the communication, problem-solving and critical thinking skills needed to achieve the required scores on standardised exams required for US university admission.
Guiding students through the US university admissions system, the programme will help develop students’ knowledge of US educational opportunities, support them to navigate the application process, and equip them with the necessary skills for test preparation. In addition to assistance with university application submissions, financial aid application support will also be provided.
Dr. Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Assistant Undersecretary of the MoE’s Care and Capacity Building Sector, affirmed that the Ministry is keen to empower its students and prepare them for higher education.
Dr. Al Shamsi stated that, guided by the UAE leadership’s directives to build a knowledgeable generation that paves the way towards the UAE Vision 2071, enablers and resources are being employed, alongside strategic relationships with partners, to support the Ministry’s plans and implement them on-ground.
UURP is one of the MoE’s initiatives to create a generation of students who are qualified to join the top national and international universities in various disciplines that meet the needs of the labour market.
She added that the initiative will also provide guidance and advance planning to students according to their preferences and career goals. This will support students in pursuing education in countries specialising in these programmes.
Moreover, the initiative will facilitate the opportunities for students to receive unconditional academic admissions.
Dr. Sonia Ben Jaafar, CEO of AGFE, said, “This is another milestone in our university readiness programme, and we are proud of this multi-stakeholder partnership with the UAE Ministry of Education, US Embassy Abu Dhabi, and AMIDEAST. The partnership reflects AGFE’s continued commitment to providing youth in the UAE, and the wider Middle East region, with access to quality higher education opportunities. With the introduction of this ground-breaking collaboration, our objective is to create real and meaningful impact in the lives of Emirati and Arab youth in the region for many years to come.”
In addition to supporting and guiding students interested in studying in the US, the programme provides public secondary school counsellors with the opportunity to familiarise themselves with US university admission procedures and develop new skills and techniques.
Arrivals must also take a PCR test after landing in the country followed by two other PCR tests on the fourth and eighth day of their isolation period, reports Asian Lite News
The UAE has imposed new coronavirus measures for charter flights arriving from countries including India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Nepal and Uganda.
Passengers must wear tracking devices for a minimum of 10 days in a new circular from the General Civil Aviation Authority.
Those who arrived in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al-Khaimah, have already been given the devices, travel agencies and charter flight operators confirmed.
Abu Dhabi has also been requiring arriving passengers to wear the devices during their 14-day home quarantine, since September of 2020.
Arrivals must also take a PCR test after landing in the country followed by two other PCR tests on the fourth and eighth day of their isolation period.
In Dubai, travelers have to isolate for 10 days and undergo a PCR test, Raheesh Babu, group COO of Musafir.com, an internet travel agency, said.
Crew members operating from the listed countries are also required to abide by the new regulations.
Passengers must also quarantine in a hotel during the transit period, and are only allowed movement when transferring between the hotel and the airport, without being in contact with people in the UAE community, the circular said.
Meanwhile, the UAE has allowed entry to those people from India who held ‘silver’ residency permits in the country. Earlier, only UAE nationals, diplomats and golden visa holders were allowed entry. The operator claimed such silver residency permit holders would need to wear wristband trackers. However, the entry exemption for silver residency permit holders has not been confirmed by the UAE media or airlines.
Last September, the Abu Dhabi government made it compulsory for people arriving in the emirate to wear a wristband tracker during their 14-day quarantine. The wristbands are linked to the AlHosn app for tracing and tracking of Covid-19.
The extension of the ban on fight operations to India by the General Authority of Civil Aviation is in view of the prevailing situation due to COVID-19. The ban is applicable to major UAE carriers Emirates and Etihad.
The ban was initially imposed on April 25, after a surge in COVID-19 cases in India and later extended to June 30. The extension of the ban on the entry for travellers from India has disappointed Non Resident Indians (NRIs) working in the seven emirates, their families, and transit passengers moving via the hubs in the UAE.
Exemption has been given to cargo flight operations between two countries. Foreign carriers operating to India have scaled down the inbound flights, as those coming will not be able to return to the UAE.
Hundreds of Non Resident Keralites working in the U.S. and the U.K. and their families, students who had gone abroad for higher studies, and others will have to wait to fly via the hubs in the UAE. Those returning to the U.S. and Europe are now moving through Mumbai and Delhi international airports and other hubs.
Sheikh Abdullah expressed his pride in the UAE’s hosting of the second Islamic Summit on Science and Technology…reports Asian Lite News
The UAE is chairing the second Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit on Science and Technology on Wednesday to review the implementation of the OIC Science, Technology and Innovation Agenda 2026.
The virtual summit, held under the theme “Science, Technology and Innovation: Opening New Horizons”, aims to review the implementation of the OIC 2026 agenda, reaffirms the organisation’s commitment to taking all necessary measures to create and activate an environment conducive to achieving progress in the fields of science, technology and innovation among OIC member states.
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, is heading the country’s delegation, while Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Sciences, will manage the summit sessions.
In a statement on this occasion, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed stressed the UAE’s keenness to develop cooperation with the OIC members in all fields, especially in science and technology, thanking the Republic of Kazakhstan for hosting the first summit and its efforts over the past years.
Sheikh Abdullah expressed his pride in the UAE’s hosting of the second Islamic Summit on Science and Technology, pointing out the importance of building on previous achievements in a way that contributes to enhancing the capabilities of Islamic countries in worldwide future projects, especially in areas capable of achieving development and prosperity in Islamic countries.
He also re-affirmed the UAE’s firm support for the OIC based on true Islamic principles and the human values that the country is proud of. He praised the role of the organisation in fostering ties among member states.
The first Islamic Summit witnessed an affirmation from the participating countries to work on poverty alleviation, increase the budget for education and unify efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals of the United Nations.
The meeting is part of the initiatives launched in 2013 by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation…reports Asian Lite News
The UAE-EU Working Group on Human Rights recently held its 10th meeting virtually to review important developments and exchange information and best practices in the field of human rights.
During the meeting, several topics of mutual interest were discussed, including labour rights, women’s rights, freedom of expression, the rule of law, contributions of artificial intelligence in the field of human rights, and coordination between the UAE and European Union through committees and United Nations mechanisms.
The UAE delegation was led by Saeed Al Habsi, Director of the Human Rights Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC), and included representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, the Office of the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, the Cybersecurity Council, Gender Balance Council, the Human Rights Department at MoFAIC, the Permanent Mission of the UAE to the UN in Geneva, and the UAE Embassy in Brussels.
The EU delegation was led by Gabriel Munuera Viñals, Head of the Arabian Peninsula and Iraq Division at the European External Action Service, and included Andrea Matteo Fontana, EU Ambassador to the UAE, and other representatives of the European Union.
The meeting is part of the initiatives launched in 2013 by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, to raise awareness of the UAE’s achievements in the human rights field with its EU partners.
Naftali Bennett, the head of a small ultranationalist party, was sworn in as prime minister after a narrow 60-59 vote in parliament, reports Asian Lite News
The UAE on Monday congratulated Israel’s new prime minister Naftali Bennett. In the official tweet, the UAE also congratulated the alternate prime minister and foreign minister Yair Lapid on the formation of a new Israeli government.
“We look forward to working together to advance regional peace, strengthen tolerance and coexistence and embark upon a new era of cooperation in technology, trade, and investment,” a tweet from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation read.
Israel’s parliament on Sunday approved a new coalition government that sent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into the opposition after a record 12 years in office and a political crisis that sparked four elections in two years.
Naftali Bennett, the head of a small ultranationalist party, was sworn in as prime minister after a narrow 60-59 vote in parliament. But if he wants to keep the job, he will have to maintain an unwieldy coalition of parties from the political right, left and center.
The eight parties, including a small Arab faction that is making history by sitting in the ruling coalition, are united in their opposition to Netanyahu and new elections but agree on little else. They are likely to pursue a modest agenda that seeks to reduce tensions with the Palestinians and maintain good relations with the US without launching any major initiatives.
LEAD – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and former Defence Minister Naftali Bennett. (Xinhua_JINI_IANS)
Netanyahu sat silently during the vote. After it was approved, he stood up to leave the chamber, before turning around and shaking Bennett’s hand. A dejected Netanyahu, wearing a black medical mask, briefly sat in the opposition leader’s chair before walking out.
Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, remains the head of the largest party in parliament and is expected to vigorously oppose the new government. If just one faction bolts, it could lose its majority and would be at risk of collapse, giving him an opening to return to power.
The country’s deep divisions were on vivid display as Bennett addressed parliament ahead of the vote. He was repeatedly interrupted and loudly heckled by supporters of Netanyahu, several of whom were escorted out of the chamber.
Bennett’s speech mostly dwelled on domestic issues, but he expressed opposition to US efforts to revive Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers.
Yair Lapid, leader of Israeli centrist party of Yesh Atid, speaks during a press conference in Tel Aviv, Israel, on May 6, 2021. (Xinhua/Gil Cohen Mage/IANS)
“Israel will not allow Iran to arm itself with nuclear weapons,” Bennett said, vowing to maintain Netanyahu’s confrontational policy. “Israel will not be a party to the agreement and will continue to preserve full freedom of action.”
Bennett nevertheless thanked President Joe Biden and the US for its decades of support for Israel.
Netanyahu, speaking after him, vowed to return to power. He predicted the incoming government would be weak on Iran and give in to US demands to make concessions to the Palestinians.
“If it is destined for us to be in the opposition, we will do it with our backs straight until we topple this dangerous government and return to lead the country in our way,” he said.
Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank, said the new government will likely be more stable than it appears.
Israel’s Arab party leader vows to bridge gaps
Mansour Abbas, leader of the Ra’am party in Israel, has vowed on to advance the interests of the country’s Arab citizens from within the new coalition government.
Addressing the Knesset ahead of the swearing-in of the new government on Sunday, Abbas, leader of the Ra’am party, said his faction will work to achieve civil rights and “unprecedented achievements” for Israel’s Palestinian citizens.
He said the party will struggle to return lands that have been confiscated by Israel to their original owners, residents of Bedouin villages in the Negev Desert.
Unrecognised by the state of Israel, these villages do not appear on any official map and Israel does not provide them any services such as electricity or water.
“I hope that the civil partnership will bridge gaps in the national and religious levels so that we could benefit and not stand as enemies,” Abbas said.
Ra’am, which won four seats in the 120-seat Knesset, is the first Arab party to sit in a governing coalition in Israel.
Israeli Arabs comprise about 20 per cent of the population in Israel.
The Chamber was presented with the award during a virtual ceremony hosted by USGBC….reports Asian Lite News
Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently added another award to its list of achievements by winning the 2021 US Green Building Council (USGBC) Middle East Leadership Award.
The Chamber was presented with the award during a virtual ceremony hosted by USGBC. The award recognised the Chamber for its outstanding efforts in creating healthier and more sustainable buildings and communities.
Dubai Chamber’s headquarters is a prime example of one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly buildings in the Middle East. The Chamber has achieved LEED Platinum certification three times over the last 15 years, which is a testament to its commitment to environmental stewardship.
Hamad Buamim, President & CEO, Dubai Chamber, said, “Dubai Chamber is honoured to be named a 2021 USGBC Regional Leadership Award recipient by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). This achievement reaffirms the Chamber’s commitment towards sustainability and being a role model for the business community.”
He explained that the Chamber’s headquarters building is one of the first buildings in the region to certify under LEED EB O+M followed by LEED Platinum re-certification over the years. He also noted that the campus of the University of Dubai, an initiative of Dubai Chamber, achieved LEED Gold certification for New Construction and LEED Platinum certification for Existing Building Operations and Management following the completion of a solar project. The university is currently pursuing LEED Zero certification.
Buamim noted that the newly constructed Dubai Chamber extension building has been designed in line with LEED Building Design & Construction standards at the Platinum level. The Chamber is currently pursuing LEED ARC Parksmart accreditations. The building will use Solar PV systems and wind turbines to generate its power.
Congratulations to the UAE on Dubai's achievement of being the only jurisdiction from the Middle East on the top 10 ranked International arbitral seats globally according to @QMUL & @WhiteCase.We're very proud of the team at Dubai Int. Arbitration Centre for being the regions 1st pic.twitter.com/T6sD1Phvnx
— Maktoum Bin Mohammed (@MaktoumMohammed) June 1, 2021
“Following a difficult year, it is truly inspiring to recognise our green building leaders that have continued their commitment to green building and sustainable communities while adapting to the changing environments around us,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, President and CEO, USGBC. “The 2021 USGBC Leadership Award awardees have improved our world through the power of green building and it is their contributions and work that have helped our communities stay safe and healthy.”
The 2021 USGBC Leadership Award recipients represent some of the best of USGBC’s 10,000 member organisations, a network of committed professionals with more than 106,000 LEED commercial projects in more than 180 countries and territories around the world. The efforts of the awardees stand out as exceptional examples of sustainability leadership among a strong and growing network of projects, companies and individuals.
The list of international references that gave the country a high-level classification in tolerance and coexistence indicators included the IMD Business School…reports Asian Lite News
The UAE was ranked among the top 20 countries in the world in eight indexes of competitiveness related to tolerance and coexistence during 2020, according to data issued by three of the major international references specialised in competitiveness.
This means that the country has succeeded in achieving global leadership levels in this field, exceeding the targets set in the “UAE Vision 2021”.
The list of international references that gave the country a high-level classification in tolerance and coexistence indicators included the IMD Business School, the Legatum Institute, and INSEAD, according to the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre.
In the annual reports for 2020, the UAE ranked fourth in the tolerance with foreigners index according to the report of the Global Talent Competitiveness Index issues by INSEAD, while it was ranked ninth in the same index in Legatum Prosperity Index.
The UAE was ranked fifth globally in the Globalisation Attitudes Index in both the IMD World Digital Competitiveness ranking and in the World Competitiveness Yearbook.
The UAE ranked seventh in the Social Cohesion Index according to the World Competitiveness Yearbook and 11th in the Tolerance of Minorities Index according to the Global Talent Competitiveness Index report. The World Competitiveness Yearbook also ranked it 11th in the Resilience and Adaptation Index.
On the state’s social responsibility towards citizens and residents, the UAE ranked 12th in the world according to the World Competitiveness Yearbook.
In July 2015, a decree was issued to combat discrimination and hatred aimed at enriching global tolerance and confronting manifestations of discrimination and racism of whatever nature, ethnic, religious or cultural.
In 2016, the UAE Cabinet approved the National Tolerance Programme, which aims to enrich the culture of tolerance and confront manifestations of discrimination and racism through a solid legal system for an environment of coexistence, acceptance and tolerance.
Over the past years, the UAE has achieved a pioneering network of international partnerships in tolerance and coexistence aimed at building capacities, preventing violence and combating terrorism and crime, and has strengthened it with platforms for international dialogue between religions and cultures.
