Day: September 7, 2022

DUBAI, The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE) today launched the National Air Quality Agenda 2031, approved by the UAE Cabinet in June 2022.

The agenda provides a general framework to lead and align federal and local government entities and the private sector concerning monitoring and effectively managing air quality and reducing air pollution to contribute to a healthy and safe environment.

The launch took place during the forum MoCCAE organised to mark the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies under the theme “The Air We Share”, featuring multiple presentations of the outcomes of local scientific research about particulate matter composition and sources.

The event drew the participation of international organisations, including the United Nations, the Global Green Growth Institute, and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition. Among the federal and local government entities in attendance were the Ministry of Health and Prevention, the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, the National Centre of Meteorology, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Dubai Municipality, Sharjah City Municipality, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, the Dubai Health Authority, the Environment Protection and Development Authority in Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm Al Quwain Municipality. Khalifa University, American University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates University, and New York University Abu Dhabi represented academia at the forum.

Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, said, “Air pollution is one of the main issues affecting the wellbeing of mankind and the environment. Estimated to cause seven million premature deaths annually, it contributes to impeding global efforts to combat climate change.”

She added, “To mark the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, we hosted a forum that brought together local and international stakeholders to highlight the interconnection between air pollution and public health, promote collective action to tackle the issue and spur discussions to develop practical solutions. The development of the agenda was made possible through the valuable contributions of various federal and local government stakeholders. The active participation of our institutional partners proves the paramount importance of this endeavour.”

The agenda sets out trends, initiatives, and projects that will be launched in the coming few years to address air pollution in four focus areas: outdoor air quality, indoor air quality, ambient odour and ambient noise.

To achieve its targets, the National Air Quality Agenda outlines key enablers, including establishing a clear and robust policy and institutional framework, enhancing technical and human resource capacities, promoting scientific and academic research, leveraging advanced technology, and facilitating access to financial resources.

The agenda is built upon three pillars. Monitoring refers to the actual measurement of air pollution and related parameters, while mitigation involves a broad range of existing, planned, and required actions that will be taken to reduce levels of and exposure to pollutants. Finally, management relates to measures that will allow for interventions and initiatives to be effectively implemented, tracked, and controlled to reach the overall goal of improved air quality.

Source: Emirates News Agency

SHARJAH, The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) recently concluded its participation in the US Library of Congress 2022 National Book Festival, continuing its mission to strengthen the presence of Emirati and Arab culture on prestigious international platforms.

One of the largest book-themed events in North America, the festival was held under the theme “Books bring us together” and witnessed the participation of 90 renowned American authors.

SBA drew a vivid picture of the current developments in the literary and publishing landscapes in the UAE and the wider Arab world to a diverse global audience at the festival. One of the sponsors of the festival, SBA welcomed American authors and publishers to the upcoming edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) to explore business and collaboration prospects with local and regional market players, given that SIBF was crowned as the largest publishing event of 2021 for attracting the biggest number of publishers and agents with business interest.

With real-time updates about the cultural and creative developments in the Arab region, SBA also highlighted the unique new opportunities emerging in the Emirati and Arab publishing sectors. These include strong prospects in translations and authorship, among others. The Authority also highlighted the various initiatives it has undertaken to successfully enhance the creative output of the local and regional publishing sectors as well as to popularise a love for books and reading in the community.

During a visit to the Library of Congress on the sidelines of the event, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, discussed cooperation opportunities with Dr. Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress, and gifted Arabic and English copies of The Biography of the Sultans of Kilwa, the latest work of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

“SBA continues its efforts on both local and international levels with a clear vision set by the Sharjah Ruler, in which we believe that the presence of Arab culture globally is an embodiment of its strength and impact on humanity. With this belief, we keenly look out for participation opportunities in major international cultural exhibitions and events. Sharjah bears the responsibility of supporting and advancing the book industry locally and in the Arab world; at the same time, the emirate serves as a bridge between the Arab culture and its counterparts around the world,” Al Ameri said.

“As it is well known, we perceive culture not only as a space for creativity, contemplation and generating knowledge but as a reflection of our rich identity and as a bridge between us and other nations and cultures. Therefore, under the directive of the Sharjah Ruler, SBA is responsible for facilitating cross-cultural dialogue, evident in our participation and discussions at the 2022 National Book Festival,” he added.

For her part, Dr. Hayden lauded Sharjah’s efforts to build bridges between Arab and global cultures. She also noted that the emirate has become a top destination for cultural institutions, events, and activities in the US dedicated to learning about or collaborating with Arab culture.

Source: Emirates News Agency