Month: November 2021

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Antigua and Barbuda marks National Day with dance, music, business prospects at Expo 2020 Dubai

DUBAI, Antigua and Barbuda, the twin-island nation of 365 beaches, celebrated its Expo 2020 Dubai National Day today (1 November), which featured a flag-raising ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza, a colourful cultural performance and a topically varied business conference.

Henry Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism and Investment of Antigua and Barbuda, accompanied by Gilbert Boustany, Commissioner General of Antigua and Barbuda at Expo 2020, and other dignitaries were welcomed by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, accompanied by Najeeb Al-Ali, Executive Director, Commissioner General Office, Expo 2020 Dubai.

Proudly celebrating the country’s Ruby Anniversary (40 years) of political independence, Fernandez said it was an honour to be sharing the momentous occasion with each and every person at Expo 2020, with the occasion made even more meaningful in Dubai, a nation built on the principles of inclusion.

Fernandez said: “Dubai’s transformation to a highly efficient metropolis, created with such elegance and intricacy, highlights the sophistication of the visionary leadership of Dubai.

“To have the capacity to host such a global event on the fringe of one of the worst pandemics in modern history is verification of the resilience and progressive leadership the UAE is fortunate to have. Expo 2020 Dubai signals a global call for partnerships and support. This unparalleled Expo has given small island developing states – [such as] Antigua and Barbuda – the opportunity for business and trade on a global scale. This Expo will allow for extensive partnerships to be forged and for the renewal of diplomatic friendships as we navigate our way out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Antigua and Barbuda continues to enjoy strong and friendly diplomatic relations with the UAE, which is felt in energy, leisure travel, residency and economic investments. The UAE-Caribbean Renewable Energy Fund, for example, has allowed for the complete transformation of Barbuda to green energy with the construction of a hurricane-resistant clean-energy plan. This has helped our twin-island nation recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Irma in 2017. Our recovery is still well underway, and our participation in this expansive Expo is a strident reminder that we are open for business.

“We will have one the largest cruise port projects in the Caribbean by the end of 2021. This has expanded our tourism product by doubling our travel markets, with record arrivals in the third quarter of 2021. We’ve expanded our cargo port with an amazing USD 100 million redevelopment – to be completed within the next six months. We will have the most versatile, modern and competitive port in the entire Caribbean, the only eastern Caribbean port that can berth five major cruise ships and three major container ships within the same harbour simultaneously.

“We’ve expanded our educational sector, with three universities on the island and a landed campus of the University of the West Indies; it’s important to note the University of the West Indies ranks in the top 1.5 per cent of the world’s universities.”

“We’ve expanded our innovative industry with the opening of the Antigua and Barbuda Science Innovation Park, one of the first United Nations office for the offices for the Project Services Global Innovation Centre; and we have expanded our maritime agreements with the sustainable framework of developing the blue economy.”

Najeeb Al-Ali, said: “It’s a pleasure to be with you today to celebrate the National Day of Antigua and Barbuda. We would like to extend our gratitude to Commissioner General, Gilbert Boustany, and his team for Antigua and Barbuda’s meaningful participation in this Expo.

“Antigua and Barbuda has been a shining example in the region of how a small island nation with a passion for preserving the environment can work with local and international organisations towards a more sustainable future, and as the UAE spearheads sustainability-focused projects both in the Caribbean region and around the world, we look forward to working closely with you to explore further opportunities for cooperation.”

“The surge of investment opportunities across Antigua and Barbuda in the real estate and tourism sectors is part of the economic success story on display at the Antigua and Barbuda Pavilion. Famed for its pristine beaches, turquoise seas and craggy coastlines, Antigua is striving to become the economic powerhouse of the Caribbean. As such, it’s using its presence at Expo as the perfect time to confirm its commitment to welcoming and empowering global citizens and investors alike by leveraging international relations.”

Antigua and Barbuda’s national day celebrations included ‘Wadadli’, a 20-minute cultural presentation that explores the country music, dance and heritage. The performance highlighted the origins of Antigua and Barbuda’s Afro-European percussive steel band rhythms, the sounds of the 20th-century musical phenomenon, the steelpan, the melodies and poetry of the country’s greatest calypsonians and soca artistes, as well as their vibrant movements.

A business conference titled ‘Antigua and Barbuda: Where Sustainable Development Meets a Rich History and Culture’ spotlighted the country’s reputation as one of the Caribbean’s most sought-after destinations, not only for tourism but also for high-level business and investment.

Located in the Mobility District, the Antigua and Barbuda Pavilion showcases the country as a major regional air transportation and shipping hub, highlights its rich cultural heritage and key efforts towards the sustainability movement through eye-opening immersive experiences.

National and Honour Days at Expo 2020 Dubai are moments to celebrate each of our 200-plus International Participants, shining a light on their culture and achievements and showcasing their pavilions and programming.

Running until 31 March 2022, Expo 2020 has invited visitors from across the planet to join the making of a new world in a six-month celebration of human creativity, innovation, progress and culture.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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Expo 2020 Dubai declares first month ‘a huge success’, with 2.35 million visits during October

DUBAI, Expo 2020 Dubai organisers have hailed the first month of the event as a “huge success”, announcing an impressive 2,350,868 visits from 1st to 31st October, with a host of memorable events, entertainment and seminars attracting people from the UAE, region and beyond.

So far, 28 percent of visits were made by persons under 18 years old, but this figure is expected to grow as the Expo School Programme expands during the cooler months ahead.

Taking a global overview, an impressive 17 percent of the total visits came from overseas, which was notable considering the event takes place when many countries are still operating pandemic travel restrictions. Expo has counted 185 nationalities through its gates, with the top five most popular overseas markets consisting of India, Germany, France, Saudi Arabia and the UK.

The majority of visitors intend to visit multiple times, with more than half (53 percent) holding a Season Pass, more than a quarter (27 percent) entering with a Multi-Day Pass and 20 percent entering on a one-day ticket.

In keeping with Expo 2020’s sustainability aims, an impressive amount of people have travelled to and around the site using RTA transport methods. From a total of almost 3.6 million total journeys, more than 1.1 million trips were made to and from the site using the Dubai Metro.

The opening 31 days also saw the first two Thematic Weeks from Expo’s Programme for People and Planet, which is designed to inspire collective and meaningful action to address the world’s most critical challenges and opportunities. A truly international cast came together for Climate and Biodiversity Week, which took place ahead of the vital COP26 global environment summit, before Space Week blasted off into orbit to explore how the final frontier can help life on Earth. Eight further Thematic Weeks will be held between now and the end of March, with Urban and Rural Development Week currently underway until 6th November.

A total of 1938 government leaders, including ministers, presidents, prime ministers and heads of state, have graced the Expo site to open their country’s pavilions, speak at official events or celebrate their nation’s Expo National Day. And many of the 192 Country Pavilions – the first time in World Expo history that every participating nation has its own pavilion – have proved especially popular. The Saudi Arabia Pavilion, one of the largest on the Expo site, has attracted half a million visitors already.

Throughout the first month, a number of Expo 2020 National Days and Honour Days were commemorated, with highlights including spectacular aerobatics from the French Air Force team Patrouille de France; Switzerland unveiling an inspiring supersize artwork by artist Saype; and international ensemble the Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra delivering a message of peace and understanding for UN Honour Day. Ticket-holders have eagerly availed of their Expo Passports, with 695,437 sold in the first month, as fans compete to get the most country stamps in a single day.

A staggering 5,610 official events have been staged across the Expo site during the first month of operations. Crowds have been attracted to a stellar line-up of regional and international music artists, including Amr Diab, Kadim Al Sahir and Sami Yusuf. There have also been appearances by major sporting stars, from the basketball skills of the Harlem Globetrotters to the Rajasthan Royals cricket team. Individual countries have flown in musicians and performers, and there have been panel discussions featuring everyone from business leaders to astronauts.

As the UAE moves into its winter months and the weather become more temperate, visitor numbers are expected to steadily increase, enticed also by Expo’s ongoing programme of events. November alone will feature the conclusion of a week of events marking Diwali, Nancy Ajram and Ragheb Alama headlining the second of Expo’s Infinite Nights concert series, and the beginning of a packed schedule of celebrations for the UAE’s Golden Jubilee.

Bringing Expo 2020 Dubai to a global digital audience, the number of virtual visitors has amounted to 12.8 million since 1st October.

Expo 2020 Dubai runs until 31st March 2022, inviting the world to join a celebration of unity, opportunity, creativity and sustainability that will help to shape a better, brighter future for everyone.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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Nahyan bin Zayed issues decree to establish six Olympic sports clubs

ABU DHABI, H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, has issued a decree to establish six clubs for Olympic sports – fencing, athletics, weightlifting, archery, water sports and tennis.

Sheikh Nahyan extended his appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for his generous support and continuous patronage in promoting sporting activities in the country.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed also praised the keen interest of H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed, member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, to support the sports sector across the country.

He stressed the important roles of the new clubs to encourage, promote and develop the nation’s youth to pursue Olympic sports.

The clubs will attach great importance to discovering talents, refining skills and creating champions from amongst the community to build the national teams and the Olympic movement.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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Africa Oil Week to initiate discussions on diversity, equity, inclusion in energy sector

DUBAI, Africa Oil Week (AOW) and Lean In Energy (LIEN) have joined forces to host AOW Accelerates Diversity & Inclusion at AOW 2021 with the aim of driving greater equity practices at workplaces of the future, particularly for women, across the energy sector.

The initiative will explore the role of diversity and inclusion within Africa’s energy transition, host progressive dialogue and drive inclusive growth across the industry while welcoming male allies into discussions.

To empower the next generation of female leaders in the energy industry, AOW 2021 will facilitate vital discussions where women leaders will share their insights and experiences on their contribution to the sector, offering different perspectives from their male counterparts. Stakeholders will stimulate progressive dialogue on equity issues across the African energy value chain. They will also engage in conversations to recommend the direction that should be taken to allow greater female participation in the industry.

Lamé Verre, Co-Chair for Europe & Sub-Saharan Africa at Lean In Energy (LIEN), said, “At LIEN, our mission is to empower women and allies in the energy sector and those interested in energy, to achieve their ambitions through peer-to-peer mentoring, community, public awareness, education and advocacy. Our alliance with AOW provides a collaborative platform for both organisations to reach a much wider audience. By joining forces, the two organisations can elevate the voices of women and make sure they are heard in key decision-making concerns whilst providing the vital conduit and pathway to achieving the global energy transition and the journey to a low carbon economy As the world prepares to accelerate the energy transition and embarks on the journey to a low carbon economy, the role of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) cannot be overemphasised – the business case is clear, and the workforce gap is even more apparent. Similarly, as the continent of Africa undergoes a shift due to discoveries, changing industry trends, adoption of renewable solutions, technological innovations, it is imperative to have a diverse workforce. Thus, women will indeed have a fundamental role to play in the energy sector’s success.

Cynthia Lumor, Deputy Managing Director, Tullow Ghana, said, “As nations across the globe make diversity and inclusion part of their central agenda, it is heartening to see that we are also playing a role in integrating this very important feature into Africa, particularly in the energy sector. I am positive that AOW Accelerates will serve as a major platform to empower women, encouraging them to participate in decision making and the growth of the sector. This is also in line with the Gender Equality goal set by the United Nations as part of their 17 SDGs. Women have proved that they have tremendous potential and can contribute enormously to any sector, which is why it is important to engage them in crucial discussions that can reshape the industry.”

Paul Sinclair, Vice President of Energy & Director of Government Relations, Africa Oil Week & Future Energy Series Africa, commented, “The discussion of inclusion and diversity has always been key. The energy sector undoubtedly needs greater participation from women. Their unique, innate skill-set and perspectives can drive innovation and change in the sector. To facilitate this positive move, our collaboration with Lean In Energy is crucial. Our primary goal is to initiate progressive dialogue and ensure inclusive growth across the industry. We want more women to be seen at the table, we want their voices to be heard, and we want them to participate in helping us reinvent the future of the energy industry.”

Carefully curated by Africa Oil Week and Lean in Energy, the 2021 Power List comprises 50 inspiring women – from Morocco to Cape Town, from Manager to Minister – all of whom are working and motivating others across the African energy sector was also recently launched. As the traditional energy industry sits on the verge of a new transition, there has never been a more important time to drive diversity and inclusion awareness into our sector, to ensure that women continue to have a voice and opinion in shaping this transformation.

Scheduled to take place from 8th to 11th November 2021 in Dubai, Africa Oil Week 2021 will unite key decision-makers and ministers from several African nations and the UAE. The conference will serve as a platform for crucial dialogue, solutions and positive engagement over key challenges facing the energy sector in Africa. It will also facilitate partnerships with stakeholders in the Middle East and attract investments into the African oil and gas industry.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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MoHAP, EHS hold Mental Health Innovation Lab

DUBAI, The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) and the Emirates Health Services (EHS) held the Mental Health Innovation Lab, under the theme “Driving progress towards a sustainable and scalable model of mental health care”.

The event was held in partnership with Janssen, one of the pharmaceutical companies of Johnson and Johnson, and aimed to discuss and present an innovative approach to mental health care in the UAE, as well as to shape policies that would bring about effective change in the next fifty years according to a future vision that achieves a healthier and happier society.

The innovation lab, which coincides with Mental Health Awareness Month, was attended by Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Public Health Sector at MoHAP, and active participation of the World Health Organisation, most health authorities in the country, and representatives from the education sector, insurance and health service providers.

The lab’s mission is to bring together leaders and experts to collaborate and achieve a common goal of supporting mental health and wellness in a sustainable way, by integrating care and promoting intersectoral action and collaboration in mental health, to establish evidence-based standards.

The exchange of experiences and the sharing of insights on the priorities of the updated mental health policy constitutes a reference guide at the level of the country and the Middle East.

Within the framework of multisectoral cooperation, and accelerating the response in this regard, the ministry has developed the “National Policy for the Promotion of Mental Health in the UAE” which was issued by the UAE Cabinet in 2017.

The policy adopts a human rights-based approach in line with the National Health Strategy, the UAE Vision 2021, the UAE Centennial 2071 and the next 50-year plan.

The policy is founded on a set of values and principles, including; empowerment, equity and acceptance where all stakeholders will be empowered, by ensuring their right to access acceptable and accessible services.

Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand pointed out that the ministry works hand in hand with its partners to implement the national policy initiatives to promote mental health, in accordance with strategic goals, with the aim to develop comprehensive, integrated, and mental health services responsive to the needs and directed to the community of all groups and ages, consolidate multi-sectoral cooperation between stakeholders, strengthen the prevention of mental illness, raise capabilities and improve information systems, and conduct research on psychological services in order to develop them, so as to enhance the integration of patients into society and improve their quality of life to achieve the well-being of society.

Dr. Noor Al Muhairi, Director of Mental Health Department, EHS, stressed the importance of holding the innovation lab with wide participation, which enhances the state’s comprehensive efforts to develop the scope of integrated mental health services that respond to the current needs and are directed to the community.

Jamie Pharis, Managing Director of Janssen in the Gulf region, said, “We are pleased to join forces with MoHAP and EHS to spread awareness and develop programs and solutions to tackle mental health challenges in the UAE. This is part of our commitment to developing neuroscience and mental health research with a view to improving mental health practices and solutions and improving methods of preventing, diagnosing and treating mental health disorders, by building on its innovative approach and using the latest technologies.”

Source: Emirates News Agency

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Dubai Healthcare City sets up fitness & wellness hub for Dubai Fitness Challenge offering wellness-oriented training program

DUBAI, Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), the emirate’s enabling healthcare and wellness free zone, has set up a fitness and wellness hub in its Oud Metha Phase I to help residents and visitors get fit during the month-long Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC).

The hub, one of the DFC official hubs for this year, is open from 6am to 10 am on weekdays and from 4pm – 10pm on weekends, for the whole duration of DFC running 29 October to 27 November. Boasting a fully equipped gym and wellness zone, the hub will also feature a range of free-to-attend wellness-oriented exercise classes including lymph activation, corrective medical exercise, and stress relief method. The hub will also offer yoga, dance classes and HIIT workout sessions. The hub is available to all members of the public.

“We want everyone to have as convenient access as possible to fitness apparatus and instruction so that they can take part in the Dubai Fitness Challenge which promotes healthy lifestyles by encouraging people to be active for at least 30 minutes daily for an entire month. We recognize that people have busy lives and putting this facility on the doorstep of a growing community makes it easier for them to realize the benefits of the Challenge,” said Jamal Abdulsalam, CEO, Dubai Healthcare City Authority, regulatory of DHCC.

Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, said: “The community fitness hubs are a very important element of Dubai Fitness Challenge as they give local residents the opportunity to stay active with free facilities that are located close to their home or workplace. The official hub at Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) is a great example of an organisation encouraging its growing community to get their 30 minutes of daily exercise with a great range of free exercise and wellness classes.”

As part of its support for the Dubai Fitness Challenge, DHCC is also collaborating with business partners to provide healthcare assistance, free health check-ups, complimentary nutritional advice, and discounts on some services to the public.

“This is part of a wider DHCC themed ‘Dare To’ campaign where we are sending out a challenge to all to Dare to be fit, to eat right, push themselves and care for their mental health. If they dare to do all this throughout 30 days, we hope these good practices will become daily habits extending well after the official Dubai Fitness Challenge,” added Abdulsalam.

The full schedule of activities will be posted on the Dubai Healthcare City website www.dhcc.ae

Source: Emirates News Agency