Mohamed bin Zayed, Mohammed bin Rashid, King of Bahrain attend luncheon

DUBAI, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, today attended a luncheon hosted by Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs in Bahrain.

The banquet was held at Al Marmoum on the occasion of winning the World Endurance Championship yesterday in Abu Dhabi.

The event was attended by 126 male and female riders representing 36 countries worldwide.

The banquet was also attended by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs in the Presidential Court; Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, General Sports Authority and Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Saeed bin Maktoum crowns winners of Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master

ABU DHABI, Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Padel Association, presented the trophies to the winners of the 2023 World Padel Tour season opener Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master during the awards ceremony that took place among a packed crowd on the centre court located on Bab Al Nojoum, Hudayriyat Island.

Agustín Tapia/Arturo Coello Manso defeated Alejandro Galán Romo/Juan Lebrón Chincoa (7-6 / 6-3) to win the Men’s tournament, while Ariana Sánchez Fallada/Paula Josemaría Martín clinched the Women’s title by beating Alejandra Salazar Bengoechea/Gemma Triay Pons [6-3 / 6-3]. Also awarded were Ariana Sánchez Fallada and Arturo Coello Manso, who were bestowed the ‘Most Valuable Player’ award in their respective categories.

The sold-out finals provided thrilling excitement from some of the world’s top players who battled it out in the custom-built court on the beach. The winning duos expressed their delight at being awarded the highest-ever World Padel Tour points haul of 2,000 points.

Aref Al Awani, general secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “Abu Dhabi has cemented its position as a premier host of world-class sporting events. The Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master has proven to be a resounding success, not only for the players and spectators, but for the entire regional sports industry. It has provided invaluable opportunities for the growth and development of padel in the UAE and the wider Gulf region, showcasing Abu Dhabi’s defining sporting infrastructure and capabilities. The event has been a testament to the emirate’s potential as a hub for global sports, and we are incredibly proud of the Emirati players, who participated and demonstrated the country’s potential as a padel powerhouse. We will continue to support and encourage the growth of the sport in the UAE.”

Padel’s meteoric rise as the fastest-growing sport in the region is nothing short of remarkable, and the World Padel Tour Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master provided a unique opportunity to embrace the sport’s burgeoning popularity, creating a platform to celebrate and appreciate the UAE’s padel community and passionate enthusiasts.

Ramon Agenjo, president of the World Padel Tour, said: “The Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master has been an exceptional event, showcasing Abu Dhabi’s readiness to host sports events and our commitment to fostering a vibrant culture for sports in the region. The qualifications of the Emirati players, and the region’s first-ever participation in the main draw of a World Padel Tour tournament, mark a significant moment for the sport in the Arab world, inspiring young players and promoting greater diversity and inclusion in the sport. We are proud to have organised this event with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and thrilled to have been a part of such a prestigious tournament, which has brought together the world’s top players and local talents, furthering the growth and development of padel in the UAE and the wider Gulf region.”

Source: Emirates News Agency

UAE expresses solidarity with China; offers condolences over victims of coal mine collapse

ABU DHABI, The UAE has expressed its sincere condolences and solidarity with the People’s Republic of China over the victims of a coal mine collapse that resulted in the death and injury of dozens of people.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the Chinese government and its people, as well as the families of the victims of this tragedy, and its wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured.

Source: Emirates News Agency

New exhibition addresses relationship between architecture and public space in UAE

ABU DHABI, The NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) Art Gallery’s auxiliary venue, The Project Space, will open its latest exhibition, titled “Performing the City”, by artist and NYUAD Co-Programme Head of Art and Art History Sandra Peters, on Monday, 27th February.

The exhibition serves as a platform for the interim presentation of a planned temporary outdoor sculptural installation with the working title “City Centre / Nomadic Monads”. It includes photographs, texts, and material samples relating to the project and the apparatus that addresses the relationship between architecture and public space in the UAE.

Professor Sandra Peters has widely presented her work in Europe, the US, and the UAE, including Un-folded Cube (landscape mode) at FOYER-LA (2023); Pandora’s Box at The NYUAD Project Space (2016); Bilateral, Diagonal, Cubical at the Gallery Aanant and Zoo, Berlin (2012); and participated in the group exhibition Erschaute Bauten. Architektur im Spiegel zeitgenössischer Kunstfotografie at the MAK—Österreichisches Museum für angewandte Kunst/Gegenwartskunst (2011).

Located in The Arts Centre and supported by the museum staff of The NYUAD Art Gallery, The Project Space is a non-commercial gallery dedicated to Abu Dhabi community projects. The Project Space gives priority to exhibitions from within the academic and regional community, including the annual Senior Capstone Festival, faculty-curated exhibitions, experimental projects, and the work of regional emerging artists.

Source: Emirates News Agency

UAE, Algeria advancing economic partnership

ABU DHABI, The 15th session of the joint UAE-Algeria Economic Committee has been held in Abu Dhabi under the chairmanship of Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, and Algerian Minister of Industry, Ahmed Zaghdar, in the presence of Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade.

“The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and President Houari Boumédiène created frameworks of brotherhood and partnership that have proved to be the real foundation of the UAE-Algeria relations’ firmness,” said the UAE minister of economy.

“Economic cooperation is one of the major pillars of the two countries’ solid ties, and non-oil trade between the two sides has recovered from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, growing 14 % from $701 million in 2020 to around $800 million by the end of 2022 . We look forward to working together over the coming stage, particularly through the programmes of this committee, to increase our trade exchanges above the one billion dollar level reported in 2019.”

Algerian Minister of Industry said that this meeting of the committee reflects the sincere political will of the leadership of the two countries and their firm determination to advance relations and cooperation to the level of strategic partnership, in a way that achieves their common interests and aspirations for further development and advancement.

For his part, Dr. Al-Zeyoudi said the UAE is one of Algeria’s major Arab trading partners in 2021, accounting for nearly 20% of Algeria’s trade volume with Arab countries and ranking first in the Gulf with a rate of more than 40% of Algeria’s trade with GCC states. He added that the UAE’s investment inflows to Algeria amounted to around $600 million by the end of 2021.

Source: Emirates News Agency