Day: February 15, 2023

ABU DHABI, Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and Chairman of the Exports Executive Committee of the Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX), has met Gerd Müller, Director-General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), to discuss their joint efforts in driving industrial and economic growth in developing nations.

During Müller’s visit to the UAE for the World Government Summit in Dubai, the Secretariat of UNIDO conveyed their appreciation to the Permanent Mission of the UAE to UNIDO.

With a history of collaboration and a shared goal of improving the lives of those in need, ADFD and UNIDO have made a positive impact through their projects aimed at promoting industrial development in developing countries.

Al Suwaidi noted, with their combined resources and expertise, the two organisations are well-positioned to continue making a difference in communities across the world. This meeting marks a significant step towards enhancing cooperation for sustainable industrial and economic development in developing countries

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, has met with a delegation of the Emirati-British Friendship Committee of the British Parliament.

The meeting touched on means to further develop bilateral relations between the UAE and the United Kingdom, in addition to exchanging views on several regional and international issues of common concern.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, During the World Government Summit in Dubai, Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC), hosted a business luncheon with a delegation from the UK Parliament, led by Bambos Charalambous, Vice President of the Emirati-British Friendship Committee.

The luncheon was attended by several members of the FNC, and Ghobash warmly welcomed the British delegation, emphasising the strong and historic ties between the two countries. He expressed his hope that the visit would help to further enhance bilateral relations and presented the outcomes of the FNC’s recent visit to the UK.

The delegation also underscored the importance of exchanging visits to promote greater coordination on key issues, and Charalambous praised the FNC’s recent visit to the UK.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, The UAE Food Bank and the Regional Food Banks Network signed, in conjunction with the World Government Summit in Dubai, a partnership agreement to preserve food from wastage and destruction, and to strengthen the bonds of joint cooperation between them in their fields of work.

The partnership was signed by Dr. Moez Al Shahdi, Founder and Head of the Regional Food Banks Network, and Manal Bin Yaarouf, Chairman of the UAE Food Bank Steering Committee, in the presence of Dawoud Al Hajri, Director-General of Dubai Municipality and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the UAE Food Bank, and Saeed Mohammad Al Eter, Chair of the UAE Government Media Office.

Al Hajri said, “The UAE Food Bank is keen to strengthen its strategic partnerships with the entities that support its field of work. This is a continuation of the goal for which it was established to solidify the value of feeding, collecting and delivering food to deserving families, within a sustainable institutional framework. This comes in implementation of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai in establishing the values of giving and benevolence in Emirati society, and the wise dealing with the blessing of food.”

He added, “The new partnership with the Regional Food Banks Network will support the UAE Food Bank’s operational processes. It will also enhance cooperation between them to ensure the application of health and safety standards for food preservation.”

Al Shahdi stated, “We are glad to sign this partnership with the UAE Food Bank, the pioneer in the region and the world in its initiatives to collect surplus food, reduce its wastage, and provide it to those who deserve it, because I found the perfect partner to realise the dream in the surrounding countries and then the world.”

The two parties seek joint cooperation in many fields, including learning about best practices in the field of supporting the food bank work system, and exchanging knowledge and experiences in the field of managing and developing joint work.

The MoU also aims to provide support in the field of training and qualifying in the operations of storing and preserving surplus food related to the work of the two parties, and to participate in local and regional forums, seminars and conferences related to their work, and marketing and promotion of joint efforts in various media channels of the two parties.

The partnership agreement shall enter into force as of the date of its signature by both parties and shall remain in force for a period of five years, and shall be automatically renewed for a similar period or periods.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, Under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), Brooge Energy, a Cayman Islands-based infrastructure provider, which is currently engaged in clean petroleum products and biofuels and crude oil storage, today announced a partnership with Siemens Energy, one of the world’s largest energy technology supplier, to develop a plant to produce green hydrogen and ammonia using solar PV in Abu Dhabi.

Brooge Energy and Siemens Energy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to kickstart the partnership in a special event at the World Government Summit 2023.

The event drew the participation of Sharif Al Olama, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure for Energy and Petroleum Affairs, Ahmed Al Kaabi, Assistant Under-Secretary for Petroleum, Gas, and Mineral Resources at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, as well as senior leadership from the two companies.

Under the MoU, the two companies will join forces to develop the plant and explore other areas of collaboration in clean energy, while MoEI will offer them facilities.

Al Olama said, “Energy transition has long been a strategic priority of the UAE. In line with the objectives of the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, we are taking confident steps to incorporate emerging energy sources, particularly hydrogen, in our energy mix to ensure we are on a low-carbon development path.”

He added, “The Ministry is working on developing a robust green hydrogen industry in the UAE. We have launched the UAE Hydrogen Leadership Roadmap that aims to establish the country as a competitive exporter of hydrogen and are currently updating the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 to reflect the country’s future aspirations in line with our role as the host of the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28).”

Al Olama applauded the partnership between Brooge Energy and Siemens as a prime example of the UAE’s keenness to upscale the contribution of the private sector in realising its net zero and climate ambitions.

He highlighted that the new project that will produce green hydrogen and ammonia using solar PV will further accelerate the country’s transition to net zero, increase green hydrogen capacity, and boost the UAE’s position as a reliable supplier of hydrogen.

Lina Saheb, Interim CEO at Brooge, said, “It is with great honour that we announce our partnership with Siemens Energy at the World Government Summit 2023, as together we take a step toward a greener future. I look forward to working closely with the talented Siemens team on this important project.”

Khalid Bin Hadi, Head of Government Affairs in the UAE and Middle East at Siemens Energy, commented, “Our partnership with Brooge Energy is in line with the company’s global objectives of accelerating the energy transition. Green hydrogen is an important source of sustainable energy that we can optimise through public-private partnerships. The UAE has always been proactive in shaping a sustainable future and tackling climate change through inclusive, robust initiatives. The country has recently declared 2023 as the Year of Sustainability and later this year, will host the COP28, underscoring its key role as a problem solver and a developer of innovative energy and climate solutions.”

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, stated today that the UAE will continue its strategic mission to promote international cooperation, enhance government excellence and foster inspiring initiatives to meet people’s aspirations for development, wellbeing, social stability and future security. He was speaking at the conclusion of the World Government Summit (WGS) 2023, held from 13-15 February in Dubai under the theme ‘Shaping Future Governments’.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid further said: “Today, we concluded the 10th edition of the World Government Summit, which saw the participation of 10,000 experts and government officials, 80 international organisations, and the signing of 80 international agreements. The Summit represents our country in uniting the world, shaping the future, and serving humanity.”

“The WGS brought together 20 heads of states and governments, and more than 250 ministers, entrepreneurs, government officials, thought leaders and experts. The event, now entering its second decade with a stronger will to make an impact, showcased successful experiences from across the world. New challenges cannot be addressed using old tools, and successful government strategies are our means to secure a better future,” His Highness added.

His Highness further noted: “We are optimistic about the future. Every year at the World Government Summit, we witness success stories and inspiring ideas that support our optimism. Exceptional government work is the only way to build the future, and every government achievement in any country acts for the greater good of us all. Through governments’ cooperation and their unified vision, the future of humanity will become much better.”

Exceptional Summit

Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs of the UAE and Chairman of the WGS Organisation, highlighted that the World Government Summit 2023 was exceptional in every way, especially the number of participants, sessions and forums, marking 10 years of success and global influence.

“The WGS 2023 was exceptional in various ways; not only in terms of the large number of participants, sessions and forums, but also in the range of global issues addressed. Reflecting the humanitarian mission of the WGS, it acts as a platform for harnessing global efforts and international partnerships to help those in need, as we have recently witnessed in our response to the unfortunate incidents in Syria and Turkey,” Al Gergawi added.

“Every year, the WGS is keen to provide insights, launch initiatives, and conduct in-depth analysis of key international trends, contributing to the development of government plans to deal with future requirements.”

Large participation

The end of the third day marked the conclusion of the WGS 2023, which witnessed the participation of 10,000 people from 150 countries, and featured 220 main addresses, panel discussions and interactive sessions, during which 20 heads of state and governments and more than 250 ministers convened to discuss key issues.

Participants in the 10th edition of the Summit, representing 80 international, regional and government organisations, discussed key current and future global challenges, and the means to enhance governments’ readiness to anticipate and address rapid changes. The WGS tackled the issue of shaping the future through six main themes: Accelerating Development and Governance, Future of Societies and Healthcare, Exploring the Frontiers, Governing Economic Resilience and Connectivity, Global City Design and Sustainability, and Prioritising Learning and Work.

Global leaders

The Summit was attended by a number of distinguished leaders, including Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mario Abdo Benítez, President of the Republic of Paraguay, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Türkiye, who delivered a recorded speech in which he hailed the efforts of the World Government Summit, Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal and Chairperson of the African Union, who presented the investment potential in Africa, and Wavel Ramkalawan, President of the Republic of Seychelles, who showcased the challenges facing his country as a result of global climate change.

The WGS 2023 also witnessed the participation of H.H. Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait; Dr. Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed, Prime Minister of Yemen; Najla Bouden, Prime Minister, Republic of Tunisia; Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister, Georgia; Ali Asadov, Prime Minister, Republic of Azerbaijan; Her Excellency Ana Brnabic, Prime Minister, Republic of Serbia; and Akylbek Japarov, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Kyrgyz Republic.

Kristalina Georgieva; Managing Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO); and Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of International Labour Organization (ILO), also participated in the WGS 2023.

In addition, the 2023 Summit hosted Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum, and Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Arab League Secretary-General.

The Summit witnessed the signing of 80 bilateral agreements, including a bilateral agreement between the UAE Government and the Republic of Georgia; a partnership between the UAE Government and the Republic of Rwanda; an agreement between the UAE Government and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).

Also, during the WGS 2023, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), launched the Dubai Future Readiness Index.

During the Summit, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in Abu Dhabi, and the Global Manufacturing and Industrialization Summit (GMIS) signed an agreement to establish the UNIDO International Centre for Industry Readiness in the UAE.

The World Government Summit 2023 also witnessed the launch of a global initiative led by the UAE, in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and their international partners, aimed at raising awareness and building global research capabilities for law enforcement agencies to address crimes affecting the environment.

The World Government Summit saw seven global awards being presented in appreciation of government ministers, representatives of the private sector, innovators and creators for their exceptional contributions to building a better society for humanity.

The Summit also issued 20 knowledge reports, in cooperation with the most important international research institutions.

The agenda included more than 22 international forums focused on developing policies, strategies and future plans that enhance the readiness and flexibility of governments for the next stage of development.

More than 300 speakers including heads of states, ministers, government officials and thought leaders discussed pressing issues and reviewed current and future challenges.

H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, participated in the WGS 2023 sessions. H.H. reviewed the emirate’s experience, addressing the most important factors of its success and distinction.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, presented Fujairah’s Strategic Outlook at the Summit.

Lt. Gen. H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, highlighted Emirati culture and values during his keynote at the Summit.

Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, and Chairman of the World Government Summit Organisation participated in a number of sessions, including a virtual plenary session with Elon Musk, CEO, Twitter, Tesla and SpaceX, and a session titled ‘Governments and the Changing World Order’ with Ray Dalio, Founder of Bridgewater Associates.

Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and President-Designate of COP28, also delivered a keynote speech at the Summit.

Source: Emirates News Agency