Day: March 20, 2023

ABU DHABI, 20th March, 2023 (WAM) –Diplomatic communities are displaying an increasing inclination towards adopting tech-enabled diplomacy in the metaverse, as suggested by a joint report by Accenture and the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA). The report, titled “Amplifying Diplomacy with the Metaverse,” underscores the metaverse’s potential to foster greater cooperation among nations, facilitate the cross-border movement of talent, and make dialogues more inclusive, efficient, and environmentally friendly. Through web3 technologies such as blockchain, diplomatic interactions in the metaverse can enable officials to leverage technology to make consultations and dialogues between foreign officials of different nations more interactive, immersive, and imaginative. To succeed, continually sharpening strategic skills and facilitating administrative tasks in the metaverse are both crucial, the report states. However, the report also identifies significant challenges that must be addressed for the successful implementation of such interactions in the metaverse. These challenges include infrastructure readiness, technical barriers, security, and privacy concerns. Nickolay Mladenov, Director-General of AGDA, said, “AGDA’s partnership with Accenture on this timely topic showcases how collaboration across different sectors and fields can benefit the private and public sector. The report deploys a use-case approach and explores how the metaverse has the potential to transform the diplomatic practice, making diplomacy by more interactive, immersive, and imaginative.” Bashar Kilani, Managing Director at Accenture Middle East, commented, “The metaverse will emerge as a platform that enables the diplomatic community to reimagine and transform how it collaborates and works. To fully reap the benefits of this disruptive and beneficial change, a shift in mindsets is required – progressive government initiatives, such as Dubai’s Metaverse Strategy, and an agile diplomatic community are fundamental for success.” Dr. Seppe Verheyen, Senior Research Fellow at AGDA, added, “Advances in communication technologies have brought diplomacy closer to people, at scale, and this was evident during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The diplomatic community became increasingly open to tech-facilitated collaboration. In this report, we explore how the metaverse technology can support consular tasks, negotiations, reporting and training.” s the metaverse holds enormous potential to shape the present and future of diplomacy, the report identifies five initial steps that diplomatic missions and governments can start exploring. The metaverse significantly influences how people, governments, and companies interact, and international organisations harness its potential as a platform for collaborative, inclusive and effective international action, the report further explained. Earlier this year, the World Economic Forum, in partnership with Accenture and Microsoft, unveiled a working prototype of its Global Collaboration Village, a purpose-driven metaverse where organisations can convene to learn about, create solutions for, and act on the world’s most pressing challenges.

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)

ABU DHABI, 20th March, 2023 (WAM) The UAE moon-sighting committee is scheduled to convene on Tuesday, March 21st (29th Sha’ban), following the Maghreb prayer at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, to determine the commencement of the Holy Month of Ramadan. Presided over by Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice, the meeting will be attended by several high-ranking officials. The Shariah courts across the country will monitor and notify the committee of any sightings, while the Lunar Calendar Committee at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department will continue to gather evidence and report its findings to the Moon-Sighting Committee. Muhammad AamirKhoder Nashar

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)

ABU DHABI, 20th March, 2023 (WAM) –Emirates Development Bank (EDB) was awarded the “Best Customer Experience Digital Platform” award for its EDB Business Banking app at the Middle East Banking AI and Analytics Summit held in Dubai. The app was launched in 2021 to simplify the process of opening bank accounts and registering businesses, allowing them to receive an IBAN within 48 hours. Additionally, the app features a lending service that enables SMEs to apply for loans up to AED5 million and receive approval or feedback within five days. The EDB Business Banking app has successfully onboarded 2,094 customers since its launch in September 2021. The Middle East Banking AI and Analytics Summit brings together executives and decision-makers from the banking and financial services industry to connect with AI and analytics experts, discuss the latest trends, and develop forward-looking solutions. Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, CEO of EDB, received the award on behalf of the Bank, while Krishna Kumar Nair, COO of EDB, delivered a keynote speech on the changes in banking business models, the developmental banking domain, and the strategic role played by Emirates Development Bank. l Naqbi stated that EDB was proud to be recognised for its industry-leading digital EDB Business Banking app and would continue to seek opportunities and partnerships to accelerate the industry’s digital transformation and position the UAE as an attractive business and financial hub in the region, in line with the country’s national agenda. Muhammad AamirKhoder Nashar

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)

UMM AL QAIWAIN, 20th March, 2023 (WAM) — The Umm Al Quwain Department of Tourism and Archaeology announced the latest developments in the archaeological excavation of Siniya island in its third season, indicating the existence of the oldest pearling town in the Arabian Gulf located on Siniya island, which flourished between the late 6th and mid-8th centuries AD. The town is located near to the ancient Christian monastery (Siniya Monastery), which was discovered last year. Sheikh Majid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Chairman of Umm Al Quwain Department of Tourism and Archaeology, said, “this is a discovery of major significance for the history of Umm Al Quwain, the United Arab Emirates and the Arabian Gulf. Pearling has been an essential part of the livelihood and a fundamental component of the heritage for over 7,000 years. In addition, the Neolithic graves in Umm Al Quwain are known evidence of pearling.” Rania Kannouma, Head of Archaeology section, explained that the Pearling city that was discovered on Siniya island covers an area of approximately 12 hectares, and it is a distinctive because it was discovered during the organised archaeological excavations at the 2023 excavation season. The latest research and archaeological excavation show that this city is one of the largest surviving urbanised settlements ever found in the Emirates, comparable to the prosperity of medieval Julfar in Ras Al Khaimah. The city includes a large number of houses, which indicates the presence of thousands of residents who lived there at the time In addition, discoveries confirm that those who lived at that time built their homes next to the pearl-hunting settlement as pearls were considered the main industry in the city as a result of the discovery of a large area of opened and discarded oyster shells opposite the city. In addition, a number of pearls were found during the excavations. It is also found the oldest “pearl diver’s weight” is dated more than a thousand and thirty years ago, that makes it clear evidence that pearl hunting was a major activity in the region. During the excavation season, excavations revealed the existence of buildings in different design and architectural planning as some of them consist of one room and some of two rooms, as well as the discovery of other large buildings containing many rooms and separated by a number of indoor squares. The houses were built from local beach rocks and traditional materials from the surrounding environment and the roofs were made of palm trunks. Research and excavation work on Siniya island will continue as it is an important project to study the history of the emirate in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Youth, UAE University, the Italian archaeological mission in Umm Al Quwain and Institute for the Study of the Ancient World at New York University.

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)