Day: November 30, 2021

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dnata named Ground Support Services Provider of the Year at the Aviation Business Awards

DUBAI, For the 11th time, dnata has been named Ground Support Services Provider of the Year at the 2021 Aviation Business Awards. The award was accepted by Jaffar Dawood, dnata’s Senior Vice President for UAE Airport Operations, at a gala dinner in Dubai.

Jaffar Dawood said: “We’re proud to be recognised for consistently delivering safe, quality and innovative services. This award is a testament to our team’s hard work and unwavering commitment to service excellence. We will continue to invest in training, infrastructure and equipment to be the best in everything we do and delight our customers and their customers, every day.”

Over the past year, dnata has continued to adapt business and operations to the rapidly changing environment. The company further enhanced its offering and introduced innovative products and services in response to new customer expectations and business opportunities, while keeping a laser focus on quality and safety.

dnata continued to make strategic investments in infrastructure across its global network. This included the opening of new, state-of-the-art cargo facilities in Manchester (UK) and Lahore (Pakistan), and additional cargo capacity and infrastructure in Sydney (Australia), Brussels (Belgium) and Toronto (Canada). In addition, dnata broke ground on the second phase of the dnata City East project at London Heathrow (UK).

dnata also invested in innovative products, new technology and digitalisation, including hi-tech cool dollies in Australia and Singapore, UV cabin cleaning service in Switzerland, a baggage disinfection station in Singapore, just-in-time freight handling platform in UAE, autonomous drones and thermal screening in the USA, as well as the network-wide rollout of a turnaround tool and IATA’s innovative Dangerous Goods AutoCheck (DG Autocheck) solution.

dnata also inked strategic partnerships to expand its reach. Most recently, it signed a concession agreement with the government of Zanzibar, along with Emirates Leisure Retail and SEGAP. Under the partnership, dnata will oversee the operations of the local airport’s newly-built international terminal.

As one of the world’s leading air services providers, dnata offers quality and reliable ground handling and cargo services at over 90 airports in 15 countries.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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UAE continues to mobilise support for its re-election Category-B membership in IMO Council

DUBAI, The UAE continues its efforts to mobilise support of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) member states for its re-election to the IMO Council Category-B membership.

The elections will be held in December 2021 in London, UK. The UAE seeks to highlight its pioneering role and unremitting efforts in strengthening the national maritime sector and supporting the maritime and logistics industry worldwide.

The UAE also underlines its pivotal role in developing strategies, policies and agreements that enhance safety standards and protect the marine environment.

Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, emphasised that the UAE is one of the key maritime countries regionally and globally. Aside from having the support of many world countries, he explained, all maritime organisations and bodies commend the UAE’s role in facilitating maritime trade worldwide, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Al Mazrouei added, “Through its membership in the IMO Council Category-B, the UAE has played an active role and succeeded in developing the maritime industry. This was achieved by formulating strategies and policies, setting standards regulating the work of the maritime sector, and strengthening maritime legislation and regulations to serve the shipping sector and international trade. The UAE has also introduced fundamental amendments to many decisions that have development and improved the work system to keep pace with global developments and mobilise efforts for the safety, security and protection of the marine environment worldwide. We hope to continue this role, in close cooperation with the other member states, to advance the global maritime sector and the shipping industry, as well as enhance maritime safety and security and protect the marine environment worldwide.”

Hessa Al Malek, Advisor to the Minister for Maritime Transport Affairs, UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, said, “The UAE actively participates in all IMO activities, main technical committees, sub-committees, and related working groups. The UAE hosted several regional workshops to assist IMO to deliver capabilities in implementing international maritime regulations and standards. We exert all efforts to rally support for the UAE’s re-election to the IMO Council Category-B to continue its role in serving the maritime sector and enhance women’s participation in the maritime sector. The UAE contributed to drafting several IMO resolutions for women empowerment, gender equality and enhancing women’s participation in the maritime sector. It also took part in preparing a proposal to add a reference to women empowerment in IMO’s strategic direction. This was unanimously approved by the Council. Additionally, the IMO Council decided to establish the International Day for Women in Maritime, to be observed on 18th May every year.”

Mohammed Khamis Al Kaabi, UAE Permanent Representative at the IMO, said that the UAE is highly commended by IMO member states for its key role in supporting global trade. The country was ranked 3rd worldwide in transport services trade and fifth as a key competitive maritime hub.

Al Kaabi added, “The UAE is intensifying its efforts to mobilise support for its re-election to the IMO Council Category-B for the third time in a row. We continue to meet with representatives of IMO member states to highlight the UAE’s achievements in the maritime sector and its efforts since its election to the IMO Council for the time in 2017. We also talk about the UAE’s contributions to support the reforms undertaken by IMO ad well as its seaborne trade and transhipment efforts to cater to about two billion people in China, India, the GCC States to Eurasia and all the way to Eastern Europe.”

In 2017, the UAE was elected to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council under category B and was re-elected in 2019. The UAE is seeking re-election for the third consecutive time.

Election will take place from 6th to 15th December, 2021 in London. The UAE aims to continue its active role in strengthening maritime legislation and regulations to serve the shipping sector and international trade.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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Emirates Literature Foundation highlights best Emirati literary achievements

DUBAI, The best Emirati writing from each decade of the last 50 years is being celebrated by the Emirates Literature Foundation to commemorate the United Arab Emirates’ 50th National Day.

The work of the venerated poet Ousha bint Khalifa and prolific short-story writer Mohammed Al Murr are among those highlighted among the best literary achievements of the last half century profiled by the not-for-profit organisation which supports and nurtures a love of literature in the UAE and the region.

“For a young country with a comparatively young literary tradition, we have developed a vibrant literary scene and a wonderful array of Emirati talent,” said Isobel Abulhoul, CEO and trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation. “We are on the cusp of an exciting new era for literature from the UAE.”

Notable authors on the wide-ranging list include novelist Maha Garghash, children’s author and illustrator Maitha Al Khayat, poet and film maker Nujoom Al Ghanem and sci-fi writer Noura Al Noman.

A selection of the top names, including Dr. Afra Atiq, Omar Saif Ghobash, Salha Obaid and Dubai Abulhoul, will be taking part in the 2022 Emirates Airline Festival of Literature (3-12 February), along with new up-and-coming Emirati writers and performers.

The latest episode of the Boundless Book Club features Emirati writer Eman AlYousuf and Festival Director Ahlam Bolooki in conversation about popular Emirati books and genres, while Omar Saif Ghobash joins the conversation to talk about his own upcoming novel. The feature about the UAE’s evolving literary landscape is available on the blog.

“One of our aims is to provide a platform for more Emiratis to tell their stories,” continued Abulhoul. “We do this through initiatives such as First Chapter, our new global standard mentorship programme, designed to nurture emerging writing talent. We want to encourage new voices, telling our unique stories and the perspectives that currently may not yet be known beyond the region. Authentic narratives, whether it is the retelling of our traditional folk tales or insight into contemporary lives, are all equally important and need to be heard throughout the world.”

First Chapter, the ELF Seddiqi Writers’ Fellowship, is the first initiative of its type in the region for aspiring writers from the UAE and is free to successful applicants.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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Abdullah bin Zayed, Iranian foreign minister discuss bilateral relations

ABU DHABI, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, received a phone call from Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran.

During the conversation, they discussed bilateral relations and cooperation and ways to enhance them to advance the interests of their countries.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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OPEC daily basket price stood at $74.20 a barrel Monday

VIENNA, The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $74.20 a barrel on Monday, 29th November, compared with $76.09 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

Source: Emirates News Agency

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UAE government entities discuss information security; call for coordinated efforts to ensure business continuity

ABU DHABI, UAE government entities, representing nuclear regulation, emergency preparedness and public health sectors, underscored the importance of information security, emergency preparedness and mental health to protect the community and ensure that entities can maintain their mandates, especially in times of emergencies.

These views were made during a one-day workshop, organised by the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) in cooperation with the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) to discuss the importance of information security and business continuity challenges during the pandemic, and lessons learnt.

The workshop brought together national experts and decision-makers to share knowledge and expertise regarding information protection and business sustainability. During the workshop, they presented their case studies to illustrate best practices to eliminate information security threats; promote information security culture among the UAE government entities.

In his opening remarks, Christer Viktorsson, Director-General of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), stated, “At the time, the world experienced unprecedented challenges, disrupting businesses, trade, industries and others due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UAE, thanks to its wise leadership, has successfully managed the pandemic, ensuring public safety and continuing business. FANR took swift actions to ensure its staff safety and wellbeing and continue its essential regulatory oversight. During such times, we achieved historic milestones for the UAE when we issued operating licenses of Units 1 and 2 of Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, making the nation the first Arab country to operate a nuclear power plant.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Taher Al Ameri, Spokesperson for the National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA) stressed that business continuity is mandatory for government entities to carry out their duties. He presented various stages of emergency preparedness and coordination mechanism across the government to ensure the smooth operation of the workplace.

Dr. Farida Al Hosani, Executive Director of Communicable Diseases Sector in Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) and Official Spokesperson for Health Sector in the UAE, maintained that physical and mental health during pandemics is critical to ensure public safety. She said that it is imperative to maintain resilience by building connections, seeking help and embracing healthy thoughts in workplaces.

Dr. Naill Al Momani, Head of Crisis Management Department in the Dubai Police Academy, presented a case study on “Are we prepared for future disasters?”. He stressed that business continuity is required for business functioning, underscoring that preparedness leads to better performance. In addition, he underscored the roles of individuals and organisations in developing and supporting business continuity to ensure the smooth operation of the business.

The participants stressed that community awareness plays an important role in supporting government efforts to ensure business continuity and information security, especially in crises.

Source: Emirates News Agency