Day: May 6, 2021

DUBAI, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai, has hosted a number of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Expo 2020 International Participants Meeting (IPM), reaffirming the global mega-event as an unparalleled platform for international cooperation.

The meetings, which included a briefing with Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, Secretary-General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), took place at the IPM, from 4th-5th May at Dubai Exhibition Centre – Expo 2020, with more talks slated over the coming days.

The IPM gathered more than 370 delegates from 173 countries to discuss the final preparations for what will be the first event of this scale to take place since the beginning of the pandemic. Delegates were updated on operations and security, as well as the robust COVID-19 measures that have been implemented to safeguard the well-being of the Expo workforce, participants and visitors.

In a welcome speech to IPM delegates, Sheikh Nahyan said, “Expo 2020 Dubai is about all of us coming together to create something better for future generations – to do our part in reshaping and redesigning our future, to bring people from all backgrounds and all corners of the Earth together for unique shared experiences that will help people know one another, talk to one another and to live with one another in peace and prosperity.

“I thank all of you for your dedication to shaping a positive future, and for your commitment to the cause of human progress. Our journeys through Expo 2020 Dubai will be enriched by your ideas and commitment to improve the quality of life for our entire planet,” he added.

In meetings with Nadia Fattah Alaoui, the Kingdom of Morocco’s Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts, Air Transport and Social Economy; Charles Fernandez, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism and Economic Development; and Gilbert Boustany, Commissioner General for Antigua and Barbuda at Expo 2020; sheikh Nahyan discussed the long-term legacy of Expo 2020 at a local, regional and international level, and its alignment with the wider strategic vision of the UAE.

The countries, in turn, conveyed their growing excitement and regard for the Expo’s advanced state of readiness, not only on the site itself, but across the UAE.

Coinciding with the UAE’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, Expo 2020 – the first World Expo to be held in the MEASA region – will welcome the world from 1st October, 2021, until 31st March, 2022.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, Private sector companies and businesses in the UAE and abroad found innovative ways to contribute to the ‘100 Million Meals’ campaign, the first humanitarian campaign of its kind in the Arab world to provide food parcels for disadvantaged individuals and families across 30 countries in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Some companies allocated a percentage of their sales revenue during Ramadan, or on weekends, as proceeds in support of the campaign, while other companies collected donations for the campaign from their customers and doubled the total donations as part of their CSR programme. Moreover, some companies and startups crowdfunded donations for the campaign through certified digital platforms such as YallaGive.

These initiatives of private sector companies reflect the impact of great community engagement achieved by the ‘100 Million Meals’ campaign.

At Avaya International, a multinational technology company that specialises in providing communication and collaboration solutions among colleagues, employees in the Middle East and Africa region collectively donated more than 100,000 meals in support of the ‘100 Million Meals’ campaign.

The hybrid event was hosted in Dubai, with 100 UAE-based employees joining in-person, and a further 100 employees joining virtually from abroad via Avaya’s video collaboration platform, Avaya Spaces. Over 30 minutes, employees from the wider GCC and Africa, all spoke up and committed personal donations, aiming to collectively reach a grand total of 100,000 meals.

Nidal Abou-Ltaif, President for Avaya International, said, “I am extremely proud of the Avaya team in the Middle East and Africa region who, regardless of their origins and beliefs, have personally stepped up to contribute to initiative. This demonstrates that the campaign’s spirit is universal and demonstrates once again that the leadership of this country has humanity at the heart of its vision.”

The 100 Million Meals campaign, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is managed by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, in cooperation with the UN World Food Programme, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, Food Banking Regional Network, and local food banks and humanitarian and charity institutions in beneficiary countrie.

The campaign comes as part of the UAE’s generous efforts to support the second of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals – to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition in the world by 2030.

More than 820 million people are undernourished globally, including 52 million people across the Middle East and North Africa region. Malnutrition contributes to about 45% of deaths in children under-5 years of age and hunger claims a child’s life every 10 seconds. Hunger causes more deaths than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined.

Contributions from startups, SMEs, family businesses, and large conglomerates have been flowing since the launch of the 100 Million Meals campaign two days before the start of Ramadan, and have helped it reach its target within 10 days.

Donations to the 100 Million Meals campaign can be made in four ways. First, on the campaign website www.100millionmeals.ae, second, by contacting the campaign call center on the toll-free number 8004999, third, via the designated bank account through Dubai Islamic Bank (AE08 0240 0015 2097 7815 201), and fourth, by sending the word “????” in Arabic or “Meal” in English by SMS on specified numbers via the Du or Etisalat networks in the UAE.

Initially, the campaign was launched to provide food support for the hungry in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia during the Holy Month of Ramadan, but soon expanded to also include South America and Europe, reaching countries such as: Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Tunisia, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, Sierra Leone, Angola, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Senegal, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Burundi, Benin, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Kosovo and Brazil.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President, has said that the decision to unify the Armed Forces served as a launch pad for the UAE’s development journey.

In a statement marking the 45th UAE Armed Forces Unification Day, Sheikh Sultan stated that the unification of the Armed Forces embodies the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s belief in unity.

These ongoing achievements could not have been possible without the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, he added.

Sheikh Sultan also expressed his gratitude to the valiant soldiers who gave their lives to protect the UAE and its people, noting that their sacrifice will serve as an inspiration to future generations regarding the importance of working, dying for one’s country, and maintain its gains.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, Countries participating in Expo 2020 Dubai are united in their commitment to hosting a World Expo that and delivers real-life solutions to global challenges – that is the message from delegates attending the sixth International Participations Meeting (IPM), which ended on Wednesday.

Convening for the final IPM before the 1 October opening of Expo 2020 – one of the first mega-events to take place since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic – they expressed unwavering support and enthusiasm for the six-month global gathering, which they see as an essential launch pad towards building a better world for everyone.

More than 370 delegates travelled from around the world to attend the IPM in person, held 4-5 May at Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), Expo 2020 Dubai, to see first-hand Expo 2020’s advanced state of readiness. They represented 173 of Expo’s 190-plus participating countries, with many other participants attending virtually.

Erik Linquier, Commissioner General for France at Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “This week’s face-to-face meeting demonstrates that Expo 2020 is ready – and the world is ready – for a global gathering that will unite us and inspire us to work together to build a better future for everyone. Now more than ever, we need to come together to seek solutions to the challenges we all face.

“The France Pavilion will take visitors on a journey to experience new emotions and unleash new ideas to reinvent our world, with light as a source of progress, inspiration, movement, knowledge and creativity. France believes Expo 2020 will be a celebration of our spirit, our resilience and our togetherness – as well as an unmissable opportunity for us to share with the world our bold innovations and creations that will positively impact the future of humanity.”

Alexey Gruzdev, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade and Commissioner General for Russia at Expo 2020, said: “The whole world is waiting for 1 October for this truly grandiose event – the first to be held on such a large scale in the post-pandemic era. I am convinced that Expo 2020 Dubai will become a vivid embodiment of the victory of humanity, which has united its knowledge and efforts to confront this new threat. Russia intends to take the most active part in the business and cultural programming, and demonstrate to the world the best of its innovative and creative industries.”

The most diverse World Expo ever, Expo 2020 will welcome more than 200 participants, including nations, multilateral organisations, academic institutions and businesses. For the first time in the 170-year history of World Expos, each participating country will have its own pavilion – a dedicated space where it can showcase its culture and progress to the world, creating partnerships and exploring solutions relevant to its circumstances and people. Some nations, including South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, are participating in a World Expo for the first time.

Deng Deng Nhial, Commissioner General for South Sudan at Expo 2020, said: “The global pandemic is yet another challenge facing South Sudan, but this makes our first participation in a World Expo even more essential. Expo 2020 is our opportunity to map out a brighter future, to tell the world a different story – one that shows our huge potential to the world. It will be a crucial launch pad – not only for South Sudan, but for the entire continent of Africa – to build bridges, attract investment, collaborate with the international community, assess global challenges, and put our heads together to fix world problems. It is what the world needs, and we are proud to be taking part.”

Ambassador Jorge Neme, Argentina’s Secretary for International Economic Relations, said: “Argentina believes that cooperation on all levels is fundamental to making progress, and the next World Expo could not come at a better time. This International Participants Meeting has clearly demonstrated that Dubai and the UAE are ready to host a safe, exciting and inspirational event that will bring us all together and drive actions to benefit us all. We are looking forward to sharing Argentina’s incredible ideas and potential – from its hotels and tourism to its agribusiness and renewable energy – with the millions of visitors to Expo 2020.”

The first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), and the largest event to be held in the Arab word, Expo 2020 is a point of pride for the whole region and an opportunity to showcase Arab culture on an international stage.

Mohsin bin Khamis Al Balushi, Commissioner General of the Sultanate of Oman at Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “Expo 2020 Dubai is set to be a cultural and commercial extravaganza. Oman’s pavilion, whose design is inspired by a frankincense burner, will draw international attention to the Sultanate’s rich culture and history, as well as promoting Oman’s competitive advantage. Oman and the UAE have always enjoyed an exceptional relationship, one that is built on trust, openness and cooperation. Oman’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai is yet another step towards strengthening the ties between the two neighbouring countries.”

During the two-day IPM, attendees were briefed on the latest in operations, security, city readiness, marketing and communications, and programming, while organisers also presented the stringent measures being taken to ensure the health and well-being of Expo’s workforce, participants and visitors, in line with the UAE’s wider efforts to combat COVID-19.

Expo 2020 Dubai will run from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022, coinciding with the 50-year anniversary of the founding of the UAE. It is inviting visitors from every corner of the globe to join the making of a new world, as they discover life-changing innovations that will have a meaningful, positive impact on both people and planet.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, The Dubai Opera will host its first hologram event of the late celebrated Egyptian singer Abdel Halim Hafez who will take to the stage on 13 and 14 May during Dubai’s Eid al-Fitr festivities.

Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment announced in cooperation with New Dimension Productions (NDP) and MBC Group as the organisers, that the 90-minute show will feature some of the singer’s most popular songs during what promises to be an exhilarating evening of music and nostalgia.

Hailed as one of the greatest Egyptian musicians, along with Umm Kulthum, Mohamed Abdel Wahab, Mohamed Fawzi and Shadia, Abdel Halim Hafez was a prolific singer and actor whose music and films were adored by fans across the region and beyond.

A spectacular tribute to the star and the impact he had on the region, the Abdel Halim Hafez Hologram event marks the first time this innovative and exciting technology has been used to bring the much-loved singer and his songs to life in front of an audience.

Audiences at the hologram event will be able to watch Abdel Halim Hafez on stage thanks to NDP’s pioneering use of hologram technology and artificial intelligence to create a high-resolution 3D model that matches the artist’s face and body movements. The show’s audio content will also astound fans of the late artist, with NDP having extracted his voice over five months to produce vocals of the highest quality and purity, which will be supported by a live 28-person band.

Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: “We always strive to provide all that is new and distinctive to the residents and visitors of Dubai while maintaining the necessary health and safety measures, and the Abdel Halim Hafez Hologram event is a must-see event that will appeal to Arabic music fans of all ages and nationalities. The first-ever full hologram event to feature Abdel Halim Hafez, a true legend of Egyptian popular culture, the innovative and immersive live show will be a fitting tribute to the star and his family. Held exclusively in Dubai during Eid Al Fitr, the show is a unique opportunity to relive the incredible songs and warm personality of Abdel Halim Hafez through a combination of cutting-edge technology and powerful music.”

Hasan Hina, Founder and Executive Producer of NDP, said: “Abdel Halim Hafez is a global icon in classical music. Presenting his legacy for fans through hologram technology is a new step in reviving Egypt’s and the region’s Arab musical heritage. The Abdel Halim Hafez Hologram event is the culmination of years of dedication and a deep appreciation of the artist’s music and his far-reaching appeal. By harnessing the latest light, sound and hologram technology, we are able to bring Abdel Halim Hafez to the stage and present an evening of his wonderful music to fans new and old. We are delighted to be able to exclusively stage this event in Dubai at the Dubai Opera over two nights during Eid al-Fitr.”

He added: “NDP, in cooperation with the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, is currently seeking to present a group of unique and exclusive offers using hologram technology in Dubai over the coming years, with the aim of making Dubai the capital of entertainment using holograms.”

Mohammed Shabana, Abdel Halim Hafez’s nephew, expressed his happiness that his uncle’s music was being performed at such a unique event using the most advanced hologram technology. “Abdel Halim Hafez will perform some of his best work at the Dubai Opera show during Dubai’s Eid al-Fitr celebrations. Despite his passing 43 years ago, he remains a firm favourite with music lovers across the Middle East.”

To protect and guarantee intellectual property rights, and as a commitment to Abdel Halim Hafez, NDP cooperated with rights holders from the family and heirs of the late artist, the association of authors, composers, publishers and prestigious government institutions in Egypt, to obtain all permits and approvals necessary. The Abdel Halim Hafez Hologram event follows the success of a hologram show by the late artist Umm Kulthum by NDP and MBC Group in Dubai in 2019.

The Dubai Opera event will be held in accordance with all the important health and safety rules and procedures, including social distancing and the wearing of masks.

Source: Emirates News Agency