Day: June 5, 2021

ABU DHABI, The United Arab Emirates and Kingdom of the Netherlands have concluded the activities of the inaugural UAE-Netherlands Week, hosted from 30th May until 5th June, 2021, in a series of events that promoted cultural and knowledge exchange between the two countries.

The week came against the backdrop of the two countries’ celebration of nearly fifty years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, as well as the UAE’s fiftieth anniversary since its founding as a nation.

Representatives of Emirati and Dutch governmental entities, cultural institutions, and youth organisations took part in the forum. Participants included Omar Saif Ghobash, Assistant Minister for Public and Cultural Diplomacy at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Hissa Abdulla Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Lody Embrechts, Dutch Ambassador to the UAE; Ahmed Aboutaleb, Mayor of Rotterdam, and Hans Sandee, Netherlands Commissioner General for Expo 2020 Dubai, among others.

Speaking at the event, Ghobash remarked, “The UAE-Dutch relationship, which has produced significant economic benefits for our countries, has also brought our peoples together to share our rich cultures. The UAE and the Netherlands firmly believe that by strengthening cultural collaboration, our countries can benefit from each other’s experience and diverse range of offerings.”

Attendees also discussed Dutch participation in Expo 2020 Dubai, where the Netherlands will host a pavilion highlighting the nexus between water, food, and energy security.

“Expo 2020 Dubai will also serve as a forum through which the UAE and the Netherlands can strengthen one of the pillars of our enduring relationship: that of food security. We in the UAE are excited to see what our Dutch partners will present under their themed microclimate pavilion, which will focus on water, energy, and food resources. Our two countries have worked concertedly to achieve food security in a sustainable manner, and Expo 2020 Dubai offers opportunities for Dutch agri-tech companies to expand their engagement within the UAE, as well as other target markets,” Ghobash added.

For his part, Lody Embrechts, Dutch Ambassador to the UAE, commented, “The topics we touched upon this week – from design to women empowerment, entrepreneurship to food security – are of great importance to our two countries. The ‘UAE-Netherlands Week’ has hopefully created a platform to discuss opportunities, exchange ideas, think about the future and increase collaboration. We both have open, diverse societies with a focus on innovation and I look forward to tackling the various issues discussed in concert with the UAE.”

Sessions addressed diverse topics, including ways to strengthen cooperation in the arts and cultural sectors, promote food security and energy efficiency, empower women in STEM fields, and foster entrepreneurship and scientific innovation.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a contract for constructing internal roads project at three residential communities namely Al Quoz 2, Nad Al Sheba 2 and Al Barsha South 3.

The network, which spans 34.4 kilometres (km) in length, is expected to be completed in the second half of 2022. The RTA is undertaking this project in response to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and the orders of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince, and Chairman of the Executive Council. Such directives call for improving the infrastructure of residential areas to cope with the demographic and urban growth of residential areas, raise the living standards and increase the happiness of residents.

“The project at Al Quoz 2 covers the construction of an internal roads network extending 16km in an area situated between Al Khail and Al Meydan Roads. The scope of the project also includes infrastructure works such as rainwater drainage and streetlights,” explained Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director-General, and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA.

“The project at Nad Al Sheba 2 covers the construction of roads extending 12km along with parallel parking and streetlights besides linking it with the stormwater drainage and sewage networks. An assessment will be carried out to the existing internal roads extending 27km from engineering, traffic safety and rainwater drainage perspectives. Nad Al Sheba 2 is a residential area bordering three main roads namely, The Dubai – Al Ain Road westwards, Nad Al Hamar Street eastwards and southwards, and Al Manama Street northwards. The project will enhance the efficiency of the traffic flow and traffic safety in the area by improving the entry/exit points, paving streets that serve all residential plots in the area in addition to providing two new entry/exit points from and to Al Manama and Nad Al Hamar Streets to improve the link with the surrounding areas,” commented Al Tayer.

“Internal roads to be paved at Al Barsha South 3 extend 6.4 km within the Mohammed bin Rashid Gardens. The area is surrounded by Al Barsha South northwards, Al Hebiah 1 and 4 southwards (Motor City and Sports City), Arjan eastwards, and Al Barsha South 4 westwards. The project works include streetlights, car parks and a bus station. The project will provide access to the recently developed land plots at Al Barsha South 3,” added Al Tayer.

The RTA is currently undertaking internal roads extending 77km comprising 68 km of single carriageways and 9km of collector dual carriageways at Al Khawaneej 2. The contractor is working on the final touches of the project.

Last year, RTA accomplished Sama Al Jaddaf and Oud Al Mateena 1 Internal Roads Construction Projects. The Sama Al Jaddaf Project covered roads extending 12km and linking them with the main surrounding roads such as Al Khail Road southwards, and Sheikh Rashid Street northwards. The RTA also constructed several junctions including two signalised junctions and streetlight works.

The Oud Al Mateena 1 Internal Roads Project covered the internal roads for the Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment extending 7km and linking them with the surrounding roads network. The project ensures a smooth and safe entry and exit of roads users to nearby areas. Work also included streetlights, roadside parking and pedestrian pavements.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, As part of the celebrations of World Environment Day 2021, annually observed on 5th June, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) organised several virtual activities. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA, and its senior executive planted ghaf trees at DEWA’s Head Office.

To celebrate the occasion, DEWA also held virtual sessions in Arabic and English. The sessions witnessed the participation of government and private organisations to raise awareness on preserving natural resources. The utility also organised internal awareness sessions in cooperation with the Dubai Municipality to educate staff on the rich wildlife and local environment.

Additionally, interactive virtual tours were organised within DEWA’s Innovation Centre to highlight its role in promoting innovation in clean technologies that provide clean and sustainable energy. DEWA urged individuals and public and private organisations to adopt a responsible and sustainable lifestyle and make smart decisions to reduce their carbon footprint, such as installing solar PV panels, using EV vehicles, and planting authentic ghaf trees, that are suitable for the UAE’s environment. The ghaf can survive in harsh environmental conditions and has several environmental benefits, including absorbing carbon emissions to mitigate climate change.

“DEWA follows the words of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, who said, ‘The green economy will be among the vital industries in the country, and it is necessary while drafting our plans to combine protecting the environment, achieving economic sustainability and ensuring community prosperity.’ DEWA promotes sustainability across all environmental, social, and economic aspects and providing a sustainable model for saving energy and water and supporting a low carbon economy. This supports the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, to provide 75 percent of Dubai’s total power capacity from clean energy sources by 2050, and realise the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030,” Al Tayer said.

“As part of our efforts to raise energy efficiency, we have implemented several initiatives, which have improved the efficiency by 33.41 percent, equivalent to a reduction of 64.69 million tons of carbon dioxide between 2007 and 2020. DEWA has a well-defined strategy to produce 100 percent of desalinated water by a mix of clean energy that uses both renewable energy and waste heat by 2030. This will allow Dubai to exceed global targets for using clean energy to desalinate water. DEWA also manages the disposal of wastewater from power and desalination plants and re-uses treated wastewater. In 2020, DEWA reused 98 percent of the total recoverable wastewater (process wastewater and treated sewage effluent) in the Jebel Ali Power Plant and Desalination Complex,” he added.

“The implications of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of focusing our efforts to protect the earth. Sustainability is an integral part of DEWA’s strategy and vision, to become a globally leading sustainable innovative corporation. DEWA cooperates with various entities to launch community initiatives to reduce waste and rationalise electricity and water consumption. The conservation programmes and initiatives launched by DEWA have achieved cumulative savings of 2.44 terrawatthours (TWh) of electricity and 6.7 billion gallons of water between 2011 and 2020. This is equivalent to saving AED1.35 billion and reducing 1.22 million tonnes of carbon emissions,” said Khawla Al Mehairi, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Government Communications at DEWA.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, The UAE’s environmental policies and initiatives have been playing a significant role in realising the country’s goals and meeting its international commitments, said H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD).

In a statement he made today to mark the annual World Environment Day, today, Sheikh Hamdan said, “Our national agenda is highly focussed on key topics, including green economy, food security, climate change and environmental sustainability. In the EAD, we ensure that our strategic priorities are perfectly aligned with these important topics.”

“On this day, we remember the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the man of the environment, whose legacy of determination, dedication and wisdom continues to inspire all generations to cherish nature and to protect the environment,” he added.

Sheikh Hamdan thanked 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, for their keen support in preserving the environment, a key pillar in the country’s development.

Source: Emirates News Agency