Month: September 2022

DUBAI, Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, participated in the Joint Environment and Climate Ministers’ Meeting as part of the G20 Summit, hosted under the presidency of the Republic of Indonesia.

At the event, Almheiri highlighted the importance of demonstrating solidarity by forging meaningful regional and global partnerships to tackle environmental and climate challenges proactively and systematically rather than reactively, to reverse the severe trends of biodiversity loss, pollution, ecosystem deterioration, and land degradation.

She said, “Nature is our greatest ally in the fight against climate and environmental challenges, and our responsibility is to protect it and ensure we pass on an inhabitable world to future generations. The window for action to avert worst-case scenarios is narrowing. We need to move from pledges to concrete and ambitious actions. The only way to succeed is by joining forces and working together harmoniously.

“On this journey, we must adopt an all-inclusive participatory approach to effectively drive climate ambition by enabling youth and women to be integral to setting up national policies and action plans.”

She pointed out that the outcomes of the G-20 meeting will be further pushed at the G-20 Summit in October in Indonesia, and the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27), set to run in November in Egypt. These milestones will shape the processes of COP28 in 2023, which will feature the first global stocktake of the Paris Agreement.

The minister reiterated the UAE’s dedication to environmental protection and climate action through a whole-of-nation and all-inclusive approach to enhance ecological prosperity. She also stressed the UAE’s commitment to working with all countries through the G-20 framework to foster equitable, sustainable development worldwide.

At the meeting, participating countries endorsed the Joint G-20 Environment and Climate Ministers Communiqué that outlines core priorities to address pressing challenges, including driving more sustainable recovery, stepping up land- and sea-based actions to support environmental protection and climate objectives, and increasing resource mobilisation to achieve these goals.

The UAE is one of four guest countries, alongside Spain, Netherlands, and Singapore, invited by Indonesia to participate in the G-20 Summit in October 2022 in Bali.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, President Rumen Radev of Bulgaria paid a visit to Abu Dhabi’s national and cultural landmark, Wahat Al Karama, that commemorates the sacrifices and heroic deeds of the UAE martyrs to defend their homeland and protect it.

Upon his arrival, the President was welcomed by Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Executive Director of the Martyrs’ Families’ Affairs Office, at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court.

He attended the Guard of Honour ceremony, and then laid a wreath at the Martyrs’ Monument, which is made up of 31 panels leaning on one another, signifying the unity, solidarity and mutual support that bind together the leadership, the citizens and the servicemen.

During his tour, he listened to a detailed explanation by Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan about the different sections in Wahat Al Karama, which embodies the bravery and heroism of UAE martyrs, as well as the nation’s noble values.

The tour ended with a word written by the President of Bulgaria, expressing his utmost respect and appreciation for the brave martyrs of the UAE.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) announced the launch of the “Creative Innovation Challenge”, and called on local, regional and global creative entrepreneurs to provide innovative solutions that would contribute to preserving tangible and intangible Emirati cultural heritage.

In addition to cash prizes for the top three winners, a group of the best participants will have the opportunity to appear on the Dubai Culture platform “North Star Dubai”, the largest event for start-ups and entrepreneurs in the region hosted by the Dubai World Trade Centre from 17th to 20th October, 2022. The event will be held in conjunction with GITEX Global 2022, the region’s premier technology exhibition.

The Creative Innovation Challenge is a global competition that aims to attract the best regional and international start-ups in the cultural and creative industries to develop ideas to help preserve Emirati heritage using contemporary technologies. The aim is to deliver an interactive experience that users can engage in, contributing to the transfer of experiences and the exchange of knowledge.

A team of specialists from the Dubai World Trade Centre will select 20 participants, and, after participation is closed, the top 10 participants will be shortlisted and allowed to present their innovative ideas in the field of heritage preservation as part of the Creative Economy space under North Star Dubai. A jury of experts will then evaluate the submissions and select three of them to win cash prizes of US$5,000, US$3,000 and US$1,000. In addition, the 10 nominees will have a chance to be shortlisted to participate in the GITEX Supernova Challenge in the Best Creative Economy category and win a US$10,000 prize.

The Creative Innovation Challenge is also an opportunity for start-ups to be part of the investor programme, allowing them to connect with the world’s most prominent investors. The start-ups will also obtain entry passes to the competition and GITEX Global and access the conference and exhibition areas. They will also receive invitations to a forum for innovative global start-ups that would help them build a distinguished business network. An airline ticket and hotel accommodation will also be provided for one member from each shortlisted international company.

Hala Badri, Director-General of Dubai Culture, said, “As the government entity entrusted with the cultural and creative sector in Dubai, we are keen to find innovative ways to document, preserve and celebrate the components of our rich Emirati heritage. This is all the more important as access to cultural heritage is essential for developing societies and granting a sense of identity and continuity. It also consolidates cultural diversity and human creativity, as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) advocates.”

“Dubai Culture’s participation in this prominent Middle East technical event is consistent with its belief that innovation and creativity characterise our current era and must exist in the culture and arts sector. They also form part of the Authority’s commitment to supporting the ‘Dubai Smart City’ initiative and its endeavour to provide an innovative platform for the cultural and creative industries and creative entrepreneurs,” she added.

Source: Emirates News Agency