Day: September 13, 2021

ABU DHABI, Sheikh Nahyan bin Saif bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, has affirmed that Expo 2020 Dubai is a unique global platform for creative minds, which will help in drafting a roadmap, enabling humanity to confront common global challenges and turn them into opportunities towards creating a better world.

In an interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the occasion of Expo 2020 Dubai, which starts on 1st October, 2021, Sheikh Nahyan said Expo 2020 Dubai is an ambitious international event that will bring together over 190 countries to create a new world, through creative contributions in the areas of sustainability, transport and generating opportunities, to make a positive and lasting impact towards achieving sustainable development.

On the event’s role in drafting an action agenda to promote international cooperation, he noted the active participation of many countries highlights Expo 2020 Dubai’s importance amidst the exceptional conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide.

“This requires further cooperation between countries and peoples, and direct and positive communication between governments, companies and individuals, to exchange expertise, explore promising opportunities and reinforce joint efforts to formulate effective solutions to common challenges,” he added.

Expo 2020 Dubai underscores the world’s eagerness to regain normalcy across economic, cultural, tourism, entertainment sectors, and will play a key role in drafting an agenda for the world’s recovery from the pandemic, Sheikh Nahyan further added, highlighting the expo’s role as a platform that unites the world, promoting compassion, peace and coexistence.

“Youth will play a pivotal role in shaping a better future for humanity during Expo 2020 Dubai. They have participated in the preparations to host the first expo in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia,” he further said.

On the issue of climate change, he affirmed that protecting the environment and ensuring the sustainability of natural resources and diversity have been among the core foundations of the country’s development journey since its establishment by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, noting that the UAE fulfills all the requirements to successfully host the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in 2023.

He then pointed out that Expo 2020 Dubai’s sustainability pavilion will be an ideal platform for showcasing environmental innovations, protecting biodiversity and leveraging advanced technologies to achieve sustainability.

The launch of Expo 2020 Dubai coincides with the UAE’s Golden Jubilee, showcasing the UAE’s achievements and its leadership’s support of the people’s dedicated developmental efforts, Sheikh Nahyan explained.

Themed “The sky is the limit”, the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai resembles a huge window opening up from the ground and soaring into the sky.

Covering an area of over 13,000 square metres, the Saudi pavilion will offer visitors an immersive journey that glimpses into the Kingdom’s future and also demonstrates the country’s welcoming character and deep-rooted culture.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, The Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) next edition will be held under the theme “Investments in Sustainable Innovation for a Thriving Future” on 29 – 31 March 2022.

Among its six multi-faceted pillars, AIM, a renowned and leading investment platform in Dubai, will provide a powerful platform for small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) and startups to maximise their potential, expand their network, and grow globally, as the event strives to support all economic sectors by opening numerous doors of opportunities including for Startups.

Globally, Startups play a vital role in strengthening new industries and coming up with innovative ideas; AIM’s Startup Pillar helps investors to nurture early-stage venture capital or seed funding to start a business. AIM 2022 will be a hybrid event that will feature Live Pitching sessions from the Startups exhibiting physically at the Dubai Exhibitions Centre at EXPO 2020 Dubai, or by exhibiting digitally via state-of-the-art virtual events platform.

Walid Farghal, Director-General of AIM, said, “In these challenging times, it’s imperative to provide Startups and SMEs with the maximum support they need since they contribute so much to economic strength and development globally. The Annual Investment Meeting 2022 will serve as a vital tool for Startups to receive support from the global investment community as they network with key investors, learn about growth strategies, and promote their products, services, and ideas.”

Startups contribute significantly to economic development and job creation globally. By 2030, the number of startups around the world is expected to increase and will create more than 600 million jobs.

AIM is supported by several Ministries and Government Departments, Special Economic Zones (SEZ), Smart City Solution Providers, Venture Capitalists, Angel Investors and several financial institutions to provide Startups with an abundance of opportunities.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE) has issued resolution No. 213 of 2021 on enhancing the safety of local agricultural products.

Targeting local farms, fruit and vegetable markets, outlets, retailers, and food-processing establishments, the resolution complies with the standard UAE.S MRL 1/2019 on maximum residue limits (MRL) for pesticides in agricultural and food products.

Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said, “In line with MoCCAE’s commitment to enhancing food safety in the UAE and ensuring only top-rated food products are traded in local markets, we have implemented an integrated set of processes to monitor and ensure the safety of imported foods. These include issuing effective regulations, such as Federal Law No. 10 of 2015 on food safety, raising the efficiency of food-testing laboratories and quarantine facilities at border crossings through providing them with state-of-the-art testing equipment, deploying higher numbers of veterinarians and technicians, and increasing their capacities.”

He noted that the new resolution seeks to build consumers’ trust in homegrown produce to increase demand, as well as boost its competitiveness, paving the way for it to enter international markets.

MoCCAE will work closely with the concerned local authorities to ensure the implementation of and compliance with the resolution among target groups.

The resolution mandates farmers to register their agricultural holdings with MoCCAE or the concerned local government entities. In addition, they must safely use and store pesticides as per the instructions on the container, keep invoices of pesticide purchases, stick to the preharvest interval (PHI) – the wait time between applying a pesticide and harvesting the crops, and properly dispose of empty pesticide containers and leftovers.

Moreover, farmers must use clean, pest- and mold-free packaging for their fruits and vegetables, and provide records of products that they supply to the markets.

As per the resolution, establishments must source their local produce from the list of farms approved by MoCCAE and concerned authorities, keep a log of goods bought and provide the Ministry and the relevant local authority with a copy, and keep a supplier record for five years. They must also inform the Ministry and the local authority of any products found in violation of the resolution, and receive agricultural products in clean packaging containing product information – name, producing farm and its address, weight, and any other data requested by the local authority.

Furthermore, the resolution stipulates that local government authorities are responsible for overseeing the implementation of and compliance with its provisions. They are also tasked with testing local produce to ensure its safety and compliance with UAE.S MRL 1/2019.

The resolution states that penalties for violations of its provisions are set in accordance with Federal Law No. 10 of 2015 on food safety and its executive regulations, and Federal Law No. 10 of 2020 on pesticides.

In addition, unlicensed hawkers are prohibited from trading in agricultural products.

Source: Emirates News Agency