G20 hopes RI’s G20 Presidency finds solution to Global Economy Impact of Rusia-Ukraine conflict

JAKARTA, Indonesia, April 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — The second G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting expects Indonesia’s G20 Presidency to bring about a solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati stated.

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati met with the U. S Secretary of TreasuryJanet Yellen on the sideline of the G20 2nd FMCBG Meeting on Thursday (April 21, 2022). Earlier, finance ministers of the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom staged a walkout as a protest against the presence of the Russian delegation during the G20 2nd FMCBG Meeting organized under Indonesia's G20 Presidency in Washington, D.C.

“(G20) members hope that the current geopolitical situation, particularly related to the war in Ukraine, will be handled,” Indrawati noted at a press conference of the second G20 FMCBG meeting on Thursday.

The expectation is based on the fact that the global situation has worsened and changed rapidly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the Russia-Ukraine war, she remarked.

Moreover, the Russia-Ukraine war has a very dynamic implication, including on the energy, food, and fertilizer price hike, she affirmed.

Indrawati said Indonesia, which currently holds the G20 presidency, will continue to conduct intensive communication and consultations with all G20 members to address the very dynamic situation.

“The G20 good governance is actually based on consultations as well as cooperation,” she remarked.

Indonesia continues to hold discussions with all G20 member states to find ways to get out of the various global economic risks that result not only from the war in Ukraine but also from the pandemic, she stated.

The minister emphasized the current need for an exit strategy since several countries were under the threat of high inflation while the global energy and food price hike will increasingly create a challenging situation for policy makers.

According to Indrawati, G20 members are concerned about inflationary pressures that tend to prompt several central banks to raise the policy interest rates that will eventually lead to faster-than-expected global liquidity tightening.

Hence, the higher level policy becomes the focus to fulfill the exit strategy-related commitment that is well-calibrated, planned, and communicated to support recovery and reduce the potential impact of a spillover, she stressed.

The collective and coordinated actions are not only aimed at mitigating the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war but also at controlling the pandemic. The actions will remain high on the list of G20’s priorities, she stated.

G20 members have recorded an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in several regions that burdened growth, extended supply disruption, worsened inflationary pressure, and slowed down global recovery, she remarked.

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Caption: Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati met with the U. S Secretary of TreasuryJanet Yellen on the sideline of  the G20 2nd FMCBG Meeting on Thursday (April 21, 2022). Earlier, finance ministers of the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom staged a walkout as a protest against the presence of the Russian delegation during the G20 2nd FMCBG Meeting organized under Indonesia’s G20 Presidency in Washington, D.C.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1801899/image001.jpg

EBF reaffirms Sharjah’s Cultural Project role in propelling global renown of Emirati books

SHARJAH, The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has organised a panel discussion entitled ‘Emirati Books – Reaching the international scene’, which runs until 24th April at the authority’s headquarters in Al Zahia, Sharjah.

The panel discussion was held in the presence of Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA; and Sultan Al Amimi, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Emirates Writers Union, featuring local authors Salha Obeid and Eman Al Yousuf on the first day of the Emirati Book Fair (EBF).

The event focused on the key role of Sharjah’s cultural project, founded by H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, more than forty years ago, in building bridges between cultures to highlight the UAE and Arab cultures and literary scene globally.

Addressing a gathering of book fair guests and fellow authors, Obeid highlighted the importance of book fairs in providing unique opportunities to Emirati writers and creatives, noting that Sharjah’s participation as a guest of honour in the most prominent international book fairs has played a significant role in presenting Emirati and Arab cultures worldwide.

She added that book translations released by the SBA are instrumental in showcasing the UAE’s creative output to readers from cultures worldwide. The author stressed that the emirate’s cultural project is ongoing and is anticipated to achieve many more milestones in the coming decades.

Al Yousuf noted that books are the perfect medium for building bridges between cultures, by removing preconceptions and stereotypes created by the media.

In her view, translated works provide a window into in-depth knowledge and authentic information about the region and its people.

Al Yousuf asserted that in addition to books, personal connections and open dialogue help establish links between individuals and cultures. She shared her experience attending a creative writing workshop in the USA, during which she realised that culture is a considerable force that can change perceptions and foster positive relationships.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Dubai announces 9-day Eid Al Fitr holiday

DUBAI, The Dubai Government Human Resources Department has approved the Eid Al Fitr holidays for 9 days in Dubai government departments, starting from Saturday, 30th April until Sunday, 8th May. The official work will resume on Monday, 9th May.

On this occasion, Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director-General of the Human Resources Department of the Government of Dubai, conveyed his congratulations to 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; His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; and Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DEWA organises series of activities in celebration of World Creativity and Innovation Day

DUBAI, In conjunction with the World Creativity and Innovation Day, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has organised a series of virtual and physical activities to stimulate the innovation environment at DEWA and in society.

DEWA held a ‘Day with DEWA’s Innovators’ at the Innovation Tent at its headquarters, with more than 60 employees and 25 female students from the Zayed Educational Complex, Al Barsha, Dubai, participating in the event, which highlighted the students’ innovations and their development with the help of the DEWA’s innovators, in addition to closely examining the innovators’ projects and learning about their techniques and tools.

DEWA also organised virtual sessions to raise awareness among its employees about shaping the future, as well as I-Talk sessions entitled ‘Optimal Use of Data, Achievements Closer Than You Can Imagine, Future Foresight Culture, and a Journey to the Future’.

Saeed Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA, highlighted the importance of encouraging employees, students and all members of society to innovate, enabling them to use and develop the latest technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, to be effective partners in devising creative and proactive solutions and ideas for the challenges of the next 50 years, noting that this ensures a brighter and more sustainable future for current and future generations, keeping pace with the rapid changes and continuing development and improvement to enhance DEWA’s global competitiveness, consolidating the position of the UAE and Dubai as a global incubator for innovation.

Al Tayer said, “DEWA is one of the key supporters of the innovation journey of the UAE. This is in accordance with its vision to become a globally leading sustainable innovative corporation. It also helps achieve the UAE Centennial 2071 to become the world’s leading nation and the National Innovation Strategy launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to make the UAE one of the most innovative countries in the world; and the Dubai 10X strategy which mandates the government of Dubai to lead the future by making it 10 years ahead of other cities through government innovation.”

“We attach great importance to innovation and consider it a key pillar to develop our services, initiatives, strategies and work plans. DEWA is one of the key innovative utilities worldwide. Through Digital DEWA, our digital arm, we are redefining the concept of a utility to become the first digital utility worldwide with autonomous systems for renewable energy storage with the expansion of Artificial Intelligence and digital services. This makes Dubai the first city to provide electricity and water services using AI technologies,” he added.

Source: Emirates News Agency

UAE announces 261 new COVID-19 cases, 372 recoveries, and no deaths in the last 24 hours

ABU DHABI, The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced that it conducted 274,597 additional COVID-19 tests over the past 24 hours, using state-of-the-art medical testing equipment.

In a statement, the Ministry stressed its aim to continue expanding the scope of testing nationwide to facilitate the early detection of coronavirus cases and carry out the necessary treatment.

As part of its intensified testing campaign, MoHAP announced 261 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the UAE to 896,892.

According to the Ministry, the infected individuals are from various nationalities, are in a stable condition, and receiving the necessary care.

The Ministry added that no COVID-19-related deaths have been recorded in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 2,302.

MoHAP also noted that an additional 372 individuals had fully recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 879,426.

Source: Emirates News Agency

6,545 doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered during past 24 hours: MoHAP

ABU DHABI, The Ministry of Health and Prevention has announced that 6,545 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were given in the past 24 hours.

The total number of doses provided up to today stands at 24,685,623 with a rate of vaccine distribution of 249.59 doses per 100 people.

This is in line with the Ministry’s plan to provide the COVID-19 vaccine to all members of society and efforts to reach acquired immunity resulting from the vaccination, which will help reduce the number of cases and control the Covid19 virus.

Source: Emirates News Agency