Day: December 15, 2022

WASHINGTON, Abdallah bin Bayyah, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, participated in the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, which is currently being held in Washington, with the attendance of more than 50 delegations from Africa.

The summit aims to discuss various security challenges, anti-terrorism efforts and developmental issues.

On the sidelines of the summit, bin Bayyah met with several presidents and representatives of African countries, including Muhammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria, Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embaló, President of Guinea-Bissau, and Mohamed Bazoum, President of Niger, as well as Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

In his statement on this occasion, bin Bayyah said that the visit embodies the vision of the UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, which aims to spread peace and openness around the world and promote the values of tolerance, coexistence and respect, which is the strategic vision of the historic speech of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed to the nation in July 2022.

The invitation to participate in the summit recognises the UAE’s efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in the continent, in light of the country’s vision that values coexistence, reconciliation and tolerance, he added.

bin Bayyah then highlighted the success of the African Conference for Promoting Peace, noting that the African Heads of State and Government Summit adopted the Nouakchott Declaration, which was issued by the first international forum of the African Conference for Promoting Peace.

He also highlighted the UAE’s cultural journey and pioneering initiatives, as well as the strategic partnership of the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace and the African conference, which aims to create a platform that gathers decision-makers, scholars and the youth.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, UAE Team ADQ, the UAE’s first professional Women’s cycling team, concluded today its training camp, in Tuscany, Italy, which ran from 9th to 15th December, ahead of the 2023 season. Sixteen riders, from nine nationalities, will represent the team during the new season.

The training camp included technical preparations, baseline assessments for the riders, physiological and metabolic testing, nutritional screening, and medical screening. These measurements will contribute to the development of a bespoke training plan for every rider in the team. In terms of physical training, there is a focus on aerobic-based training and building body strength and endurance.

In addition to the rigorous training sessions, which comprises daily uphill cycling, fitness training and equipment testing and adjustment, this pre-season training camp was also a reunion for the wider UAE Team ADQ members, including coaches, mechanics, medical team, and support staff.

Melissa Moncada, Head of UAE Team ADQ, said, “During the 2023 season, UAE Team ADQ riders will be cycling during the Grands Tours which are Tour de France Femmes, Giro d’Italia, and Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta; and in the main Classics races like Paris-Roubaix, Tour of Flanders, and La Fleche Wallone. We are also pleased to reveal our new cycling kit, along with the 2023 new Colnago Bike. Our training location reflects the terrain that our riders will be racing on, so we are excited they can have this rigorous programme in preparation of the upcoming World Tour events.”

Moncada continued, “Our passion for cycling drives us to seek excellence and fuels our ambition to become the best women’s cycling team globally. Though the UAE Team ADQ Social Impact Programme, we are also keen to set an inspiring example for fans and women in the UAE and around the world. We consider nurturing talent and provider of opportunity as part of our mission and feel proud to have three young Emirati amateur riders, joining the core team to share a professional training experience during this training camp in Tuscany. This would not be achievable without the support of our sponsors, partners, and the UAE Government.”

UAE Team ADQ’s official riders for the new 2023 season are Safiya Alsayegh (UAE), Alena Amialiusik (Belarus), Olivia Baril (Canada), Marta Bastianelli (Italy), Sofia Bertizzolo (Italy), Eugenia Bujak (Slovakia), Chiara Consonni (Italy), Eleonora Gasparrini (Italy), Mikayla Harvey (New Zealand), Elizabeth Holden (Great Britain), Alena Ivanchenko (Russia), Karolina Kumiega (Poland), Erica Magnaldi (Italy), Silvia Persico (Italy), Laura Tomasi (Italy), and Anna Trevisi (Italy).

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, The 21st cycle of the ‘Clean UAE’ voyage, which began on 5th December from the Emirate of Ajman, journeyed through all the Emirates of the UAE, reaching its final station, Abu Dhabi, on 15th December. This cycle of the campaign was conducted under the patronage of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, in cooperation with the Ministry of Community Development.

The campaign’s tour in Abu Dhabi witnessed the participation of 50,943 people, who collected 19,965 kilogrammes of waste and cleaned more than 10 square kilometres across Al Ghantoot, Musaffah and ICAD Industrial areas, while equipped with reusable cotton gloves and biodegradable plastic bags. The 21st cycle of campaign journeyed through all 7 emirates and recorded 61,646 participants who collected 40,404 kilogrammes and covered a total area of 38.5 square kilometres.

At the opening ceremony in Al Ghantoot site, Habiba Al Marashi, Co-founder and Chairperson of EEG, said, “The ethos of the Emirates Environmental Group is to instil an environmental social practice amongst all sectors of the society to protect the environment and adopt sustainable habits. Our flagship campaign – Clean UAE is the longest and largest environmental movement in the country and aims to protect the natural habitat for the wildlife to thrive and to focus on tourist destinations and ensuring a clean and healthy environment for all.”

“EEG is immensely grateful to the visionary leadership of our country who have facilitated a unique, safe, secure and healthy environment for all. EEG is gratified to take forward the environmental legacy left behind by our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan,” Al Marashi added.

Source: Emirates News Agency