Day: March 16, 2023

DUBAI, 15th March, 2023 (WAM) — The Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition (DIHAD 2023) concluded its 19th edition today under the theme: “Energy and Aid, Capitalizing on Available Resources.” More than 828 leading local and international humanitarian NGOs, charities, aid suppliers, and many more gathered at the Dubai World Trade Centre for three days to discuss solutions for critical humanitarian issues.

DIHAD 2023 witnessed a record attendance that exceeded 12,000 visitors from over 110 countries, and 50 speakers of the world’s most elite humanitarian professionals to discuss vital topics during six key sessions, in addition to 16 innovative workshops that provided training and examined many important views and solutions in the field of energy and aid.

The final sessions focused on harnessing resources to assist the growing number of people on the move and caring for the planet; the role of new technologies, the state of logistics and supply chain in the humanitarian context, and examining ways to develop innovative solutions to deliver food and medical assistance to those in need. In a session titled “The People’s Energy Transition,” Nawal Al-Hosany, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), pointed out the risks of human inaction. She stated, “In the UAE, we are putting our foot to the floor and accelerating towards the energy transition. We are embracing the transition because we see it will make the world a more sustainable and secure place.”

In highlighting the UAE’s global efforts, she added: “The UAE has invested over USD 50 billion in clean energy projects in more than 70 countries across four continents.” In another session discussing the importance of clean energy and caring for the planet, Barbara Hintermann, Director General of Terre des hommes in Lausanne, explained: “The new generation deserves our utmost efforts to repair and protect our planet. Hence, the topic of DIHAD is more relevant and urgent than ever.” She continued: “We must balance our programs between minimizing our carbon footprint to include the use of renewable and hybrid energy, and bringing meaningful response to people in need.”

DIHAD 2023 witnessed a distinguished presence in DIHAD Glasshouse, which provides a workspace in a creative climate, adopts the empowerment of young talents in the humanitarian field, and works to strengthen healthcare, education, and vocational empowerment in developing countrie Participants from the UAE, Italy, Bangladesh, Malawi, and South Sudan discussed modern technological humanitarian projects such preparing humanitarian and charitable exhibitions through the Metaverse technology, a non-profit bank venture to support emerging projects and charities, the establishment of a specialized platform for consultations and negotiations in humanitarian fields, and so much more. Innovation Workshops DIHAD 2023 also featured an initiative that hosted several innovative workshops, where participants and exhibitors were able to present their campaigns, as well as innovative technologies and practices in the field of humanitarian relief and aid. Third day workshops included ESRI: Geospatial Technologies in Disaster Management; The Ways to Safe Water for Sustainable Health and Oral Health, which was held by the Academy of Dentistry in the US; Education for a Peaceful World for the Benefit of Refugees, as conducted by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC); and many more. Notably, the Innovation Workshops were hosted in a refugee tent like the ones used in refugee camps in places of war and conflict, where they are utilized as medical centres, accommodation for refugees, and schools. The commemorative 20th edition of DIHAD Conference and Exhibition will be held on April 23-25, 2024. DIHAD 2023 was organized by INDEX Conference and Exhibitions Org. LLC., – a member of INDEX Holding and proudly supported by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, the Dubai Future Council on Humanitarian Aid, the Mohammed Bin Rashid al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, the UAE Red Crescent, the United Nations, and International Humanitarian City. DIHAD 2023 was also supported by the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Muslim World League, Al Mustafa Welfare Trust, MASHAV, IEC Telecom, and Life for Relief and Development, USA.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, held a meeting with Dukgeun Ahn, Minister of Trade of the Republic of South Korea, at the Ministry of Economy headquarters in Dubai. The meeting explored joint investment opportunities in several priority fields including trade, industry, real estate, insurance, health, technology, digital transformation and food security. The meeting took place in the presence of Lee Seok-gu, Ambassador of the Republic of South Korea to the UAE, in addition to representatives of several South Korean government entities. During the meeting, Al Zeyoudi underlined the strength and vitality of the UAE’s strategic partnership with South Korea, which is the result of both governments’ commitment to continuously develop and strengthen it. He also highlighted the frequent exchange of visits by high-level officials and trade delegations between the two countries. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol had visited the UAE in January this year, during which he met with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to explore the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries. Al Zeyoudi added: “The trade and economic relations between the UAE and South Korea are witnessing continuous growth. Non-oil trade between the two countries totaled nearly AED19.5 billion (USD5.3 billion) in 2022, up 14 percent from 2021. Also, the UAE exports to South Korea grew by 17.5 percent last year to exceed AED2.8 billion (USD781 million), while our re-exports to South Korea totaled AED 1.3 billion (USD367 million).” He added: “Today’s meeting is yet another step forward in elevating our trade and investment partnership to new heights. We are keen to work closely with our partners in South Korea to boost trade cooperation in various sectors that offer promising opportunities for the future.” During the meeting, the two ministers agreed to enhance joint efforts to implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was recently signed between the UAE Ministry of Economy and the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. This agreement forms part of a series of MoUs signed between the two countries in January 2023 during the official visit of a top-level South Korean delegation to the UAE. The MoU aims to boost trade exchanges between the two countries by facilitating import and export procedures for exporters and importers in both markets, thus creating more investment and trade opportunities for the private sector. These efforts will encourage both UAE and Korean SMEs to expand their businesses into each other’s markets, giving rise to new future-ready partnerships. The UAE also plans to invest nearly USD30 billion in South Korea over the next few years, covering a number of important economic sectors. South Korean FDI in the UAE totaled USD2.2 billion up until the beginning of 2021, reflecting a 73 percent growth compared to the beginning of 2013. These investments are mostly concentrated in finance, insurance, mining, retail, real estate, and transportation, energy and technology sectors. Furthermore, Al Zeyoudi apprised the Korean delegation of the economic policies adopted by the UAE to enhance its national investment environment. These include incentives and enablers to encourage the private sector to invest and expand in the country’s markets, amendments to the Commercial Companies Law that allowed 100 percent foreign ownership in the country, and upgraded residency laws designed to attract business owners, entrepreneurs and talents, and to enhance the growth of business, trade and economic activities. Moreover, Al Zeyoudi elaborated on the UAE’s achievements under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) program, which has resulted in the signing of four agreements with India, Israel, Indonesia and Turkey in the last 12 months. He added that CEPA negotiations are currently progressing with more strategic markets to enhance the future growth and sustainability of the UAE’s foreign trade. Also highlighted during the meeting were the advantages and opportunities offered by the UAE’s NextGenFDI initiative to foreign companies wishing to invest and expand in the UAE. The initiative aims to develop the UAE’s technological ecosystem and inject USD500 million into the national economy by attracting global companies working in the fields of technology, digital solutions and software to the country.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, 16th March, 2023 (WAM) — H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), the “Mother of the Nation,” said that Emirati nationals are a top priority for the UAE leadership. She emphasised on the directives made by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, to implement innovative programmes aimed at improving the skills of UAE citizens. Sheikha Fatima made the statements in a speech delivered on her behalf by Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State, today at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre during the closing ceremony of the Emirates Skills National Competition 2023. Dr. Mubarak Saeed Al Shamsi, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education (ACTVET) along with a number of key officials attended the ceremony. Sheikha Fatima said that the UAE is today celebrating 53 UAE citizens, including 14 gold medal winners, 18 silver winners and 21 bronze winners.

“The winners represent a highly-skilled generation of UAE cadres who have excelled in their fields, thanks to the directives of the UAE’s leadership, represented by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, and Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, to adopt innovative initiatives aimed at enhancing the skills of UAE citizens with engineering, technological and professional talent.”

Source: Emirates News Agency