Category: General

ABU DHABI, The Ministry of Finance (MoF) participated in the third Framework Working Group (FWG) meeting within the G20 Finance Track for 2022. The meeting was held in a hybrid format on 29th and 30th September 2022 in Bali, Indonesia, and sought to discuss key global economic issues.

Ali Abdullah Sharafi, Assistant Under-Secretary of the International Financial Relationship Sector at MoF; and Shamma Abdelghani, Project Manager and Deputy Chief Innovation Officer at MoF, attended the meeting. In attendance also were G20 members, invited countries, invited non-G20 member countries, and representatives of international organisations including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The UAE team praised the key role played by the group in following up on the economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in setting key priorities to ensure the continuity of economic recovery and the stability of financial systems. The team also emphasised the significance of coordinating international efforts to mitigate the effects of rising food prices, and drawing effective policies to develop long-term solutions that are commensurate with the challenges brought on by climate change.

The meeting discussed global economic outlook and focused on the risks including high inflation, weak economic growth, means of preserving energy security, health risks, in addition to food security and macroeconomic implications of the climate change.

During the meeting, the attendees discussed means of supporting global economic growth and mitigating global risks, and key challenges faced by the financial sector, especially in low-income countries. They also deliberated global cooperation to help mitigate spillover risks to financial stability, current volatility in global food markets, and short and medium-term macroeconomic risks, particularly for emerging markets, in addition to the efforts made to accelerate the transition to climate neutrality and means of mitigating the repercussions of this transition.

At the end of the meeting, the members agreed to finalise the group’s contribution to the upcoming G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting, which will be held on 12th and 13th October 2022 in Washington. They also emphasised the need to continue the discussions on the latest global economic developments and risks as well as policy responses, in preparation for India’s forthcoming G20 Presidency in 2023.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, The 14th edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship will take place from 11th November to 19th November, 2022, in the Jiu-Jitsu Arena at Zayed Sports City, under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Jiu-jitsu is supported by the country’s leadership, leading to its significant local and international development. Abu Dhabi also hosts the headquarters of the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Federation and the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation.

Abdul Monem Al Hashemi, President of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, President of the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Federation and First Vice President of the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation, thanked President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed for his patronage of the championship, lauding his ongoing support for the sport.

“The support of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed for the sport has paved the way for its unprecedented development,” Al Hashemi said, noting that Abu Dhabi has become a preferred destination for champions and athletes and the home of the most significant jiu-jitsu events in the world.

The support of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed is the cornerstone of the UAE’s sporting development, he added, affirming that Abu Dhabi has become the capital of jiu-jitsu and a major driver of the sport by preparing new generations of stars who are worthy of representing their country.

Al Hashemi said he is looking forward to welcoming over 6,000 competitors participating in the championship.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, As part of its future vision for the emirate of Abu Dhabi, The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has set an aspirational, long-term target to achieve zero consumption of single-use plastics, while generating zero waste and zero carbon emissions, with zero impact on biodiversity through its ‘Mission to Zero’ public outreach campaign.

The Agency has taken already taken positive steps forward for it ‘Mission to Zero’ initiative for single-use plastic. This will include a campaign with various offline and online activations targeting all community members, government departments and businesses, retailers, restaurants, and youth. The goal is to encourage Abu Dhabi residents to shift to sustainable environmental alternatives such as reusable items to reduce the reliance on single-use items and minimise waste.

The main stakeholders targeted by the Agency are retailers, food catering outlets, restaurants, small grocery stores as well as government entities and private sector industries. Their role involves developing initiatives to reduce consumption of single-use plastic items. The general public is urged to spread the campaign’s messages among their social circles and adopt environmentally sustainable practices, in a bid to reach to the zero-use target.

The Agency has launched a ‘Mission to Zero’ communications programme, which includes social media, media, workshops, online and offline activations, as well as awareness outreach via the Green Business Network and the EAD-led Sustainable Schools and Campus Initiatives.

Ahmed Baharoon, Executive Director, Environmental Information, Science and Outreach Management at EAD, said, “Within our vision for achieving sustainable goals for the emirate of Abu Dhabi, we are always striving to devise ambitious and challenging solutions in our attempt to create real change. ‘Mission to Zero’, within its larger context, is a framework through which we hope to reduce single-use plastic, waste, carbon emissions and any impact on our species and habitats.

“As part of this bigger picture, one of our significant goals for Abu Dhabi Emirate is to drastically reduce the use of single-use plastic items, and, in support of this aim, we launched an integrated policy in 2020. Following this, we began our ban on single-use plastic bags on June 1st and, to complement this ambitious initiative, we have devised a ‘Mission to Zero’ public facing campaign to inspire the general public to shift towards the consumption of more environmentally-friendly products that can be reused, instead of depending on single-use plastic.

“Mission to Zero’ is a collaborative effort with other stakeholders under one campaign umbrella to amplify results and help us achieve one common goal. At the heart of what we do is our larger community of businesses and individuals who are critical and significant players in our path to success. ‘Mission to Zero’ is a focused and ambitious objective that will help raise the bar when reducing the consumption of single-use plastics, and our success depends on the whole community working together.”

He added, “This is a long-term campaign that will involve the use of creative messaging and tools to promote a shift towards reusable goods, fostering a positive mindset that naturally leans towards eco-friendly alternatives across all sectors. We want everyone in Abu Dhabi to know about Mission to Zero and to be part of this movement by taking small steps every day to instigate change.”

To date the ‘Mission to Zero’ single-use plastic component has gained the support of several retailers and witnessed the single-use plastic bag ban. For example, on May 23rd a group of senior executives from major retail outlets in the emirate of Abu Dhabi signed a voluntary declaration, committing to support the implementation of the Abu Dhabi Single-Use Plastic Policy. The leading brands included: Abu Dhabi Co-operative Society and Spar, Carrefour, Lulu Hypermarket, Choithrams, Spinneys, and Waitrose.

June 1st of this year marked the beginning of the implementation of the single-use plastic bag ban in Abu Dhabi. Retailers are offering reusable bags as substitute to single-use plastic.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, The first edition of the Liwa Dates Festival and Auction will begin on 15th October, 2022, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region.

Tomorrow, the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee–Abu Dhabi will announce the details of the festival during a press conference.

The festival is a national heritage and agricultural event held in Al Dhafra Region, which showcases Emirati heritage, supports local products and maintains the country’s food security. It also embodies the strategy of the committee, whose programmes and events are inspired by the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The festival is part of a series of festivals and events organised by the committee, which aims to enhance Abu Dhabi’s stature as the capital of heritage festivals and cultural programmes that promote the country’s traditional heritage around the world.

Source: Emirates News Agency

SHARJAH, Friends Of Cancer Patients (FOCP) and its partners – leading private and public entities – are ready to weed out breast cancer from the UAE in their collaborative drive to secure a healthy and prosperous future for the nation.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), the Sharjah-based nonprofit’s leading breast cancer awareness initiative – Pink Caravan, is taking its state-of-the-art Mobile Medical Clinic and minivan clinics to four emirates across the nation, offering citizens and residents a unique opportunity to catch a free screening and consultation with the experts throughout the month of October.

A host of public activations have been planned with the support of the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) who will be supporting the cause with their technical on-ground resources, MSD, Pfizer, Adnoc and Amit Group and many more who have generously sponsored these important activities.

The Pink Caravan Mobile Medical Clinic along with Minivan clinic will be delivering free clinical breast examinations and Mammogram screenings at key locations in Sharjah. These include the University of Sharjah and Sharjah Emirates Identity Authority on October 4, 19 and 5 respectively. The timings in both locations will be 9am – 3pm.

Adding to the above, mammogram screenings as part of the mobile medical clinic activations will be held at Sharjah Ladies Club on October 7 between 4pm and 10 pm, and on October 27, 4pm- 10 pm at Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah.

During their activities in the emirate, the initiative has dedicated a full day to Ajman, where citizens and residents availed these free medical services at the popular City Centre on October 2, 4pm – 10pm.

Residents and citizens in the neighbouring emirate of Dubai can mark their calendars for a full breast health screening including free checkups and mammograms at Pink Caravan’s custom-built world-class clinic on wheels on October 3, 4pm – 10pm at City Walk. The Minivan will be available as well.

The initiative’s Minivan clinic will be offering free clinical breast examinations on October 15, 4pm – 10pm at La Mer and the following day on October 16, at the iconic Dubai Frame, also from 4pm – 10pm and on the same day there will be clinical breast examinations along with Minivan at 4pm-10pm at Mamzar Park and on October 23 at Raw cafe, Dubai from 10am-4pm.

The Mobile medical clinic activation will be offering free mammogram screenings on October 8, 4pm-10pm at Mirdif City Centre, and on October 28, at the Future Museum, also from 4pm- 10pm and it will conclude on October 30, at Dubai Digital Park “ We Conquer Event” in Dubai Silicon Oasis from 4pm- 10 pm as well.

The Pink Caravan will be boosting breast cancer awareness with free clinical breast examinations and expert consultations in the capital city of Abu Dhabi on October 8 at the Yas Mall from 4pm – 10pm, and the Umm Al Emarat Park on October 18, 4pm – 9pm.

Ashraf Mallak, Managing Director, MSD, GCC, said, “Breast cancer is the most common cancer globally and in the UAE, today. With patients being at the heart of our efforts, we at MSD are committed to improve long-term disease control and survival for patients living with breast cancer. We have and continue to invest in oncology research and have developed an immuno-oncology therapy that can be foundational for the treatment of breast cancer. We have a broad programme including 1,300 clinical trials underway studying more than 30 tumor types to date.”

“This year, we are joining forces with FOCP’s Pink Caravan to achieve a greater impact in the UAE. We look forward to a successful awareness campaign and encourage women to avail of screening where applicable for breast cancer,” he added.

Sawsan Jafar, Chairman of the Board of Directors, FOCP, said, “With hours of free screenings and checkups planned for multiple locations across the nation, we are ready as we will ever be to deliver a successful Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Last year, our Pink Caravan initiative delivered thousands of free breast health checkups (early detection screenings) including 2,197 clinical breast examinations, 1,019 mammograms and 208 ultrasound tests. This testifies to both the generosity and support extended by our sponsors and partners as well as the willingness of members of the UAE community to actively participate in securing their own health and wellbeing”.

“We are fortunate to have received the support of so many private and public sector entities to promote breast cancer awareness and drive early detection efforts this October. We always need more assistance to be able to make the greatest impact. I, therefore, urge our supporters – sponsors, public and private entities and the people – to ensure the success of our advocacy efforts once again. With a responsible community and committed philanthropists, the UAE will always be a step ahead of breast cancer,” she added.

Source: Emirates News Agency