Day: April 30, 2023

DUBAI, 30th April, 2023 (WAM) Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, has chaired a performance evaluation meeting of the General Department of Criminal Investigation for the first quarter of the current year. The meeting was attended by Major General Expert Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Criminal Investigation Affairs, Major General Jamal Salem Al Jallaf, Director of the General Department of Criminal Investigation, and other senior officials. Al Marri praised the efforts of the General Department of Criminal Investigation in maintaining security and safety, which led to a 25 percent reduction in alarming reports in Q1 2023 compared to the same period last year. The number of known reports in Q1 2023 increased by 97 percent compared to Q1 2022, and the number of reports rescored against unknown decreased by 14 percent in Q1 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Non-alarming criminal reports also declined by 7.1 percent in Q1 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. During the meeting, Colonel Rashed Bin Dhaboui, Director of Criminal Control Department, presented a report on police efficiency and crime prediction in Q1 2023 compared to Q1 2022. The report highlighted the results achieved by the General Department of Criminal Investigations in implementing developmental and strategic plans to achieve desired objectives and indicators in reducing alarming crime rates, rapidly handling reports, reducing crimes in specific areas, and forming effective task forces. Bin Dhaboui also explained the most critical cases handled and the reasons that led to the decrease in crime rates in cooperation with Dubai police stations, as well as predicting crime and emerging criminal methods using artificial intelligence techniques. Major General Al Jallaf emphasised that the periodic meetings chaired by the Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police contribute to enhancing performance efficiency, discussing future projects, and addressing potential obstacles. He added that these meetings follow an integrated methodology to evaluate the department’s quarterly results within a specific timeline, allowing an insight into the directions that determine the department’s goals and methods for evaluating results compared to previous years. Tariq Al Fahaam

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)

DUBAI, 30th April (WAM) Government officials and industry leaders from the Middle East and beyond will gather at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from tomorrow for the 30th edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM). The milestone event, which will run from Monday, 1st to Thursday, 4th May, will see global travel, tourism, and hospitality experts come together to explore how their industry is ‘Working Towards Net Zero’. For ATM 2023’s opening session, a selection of regional policymakers will take to the ATM Global Stage to explore the sector’s role in addressing climate change. ‘Ministerial Debate: How Should Travel Tackle the Climate Crisis?’ will feature insights from Sujit Mohanty, Chief of the UNDRR Regional Office for Arab States; Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy; Dr Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat, Managing Director, Jordan Tourism Board; and Walid Nassar, Lebanon’s Minister of Tourism. Claire Bennett, Global Chief Customer Officer at IHG Hotels and Resorts, will participate in an in-depth interview on the ATM Travel Tech Stage. ATM’s brand-new Sustainability Hub will host the ‘Sustainability in the Air Live Podcast Session’, which will see Shashank Nigam, Founder and CEO of SimpliFlying, engage in conversation with Shaenaz Voss, CCO of Fiji Airways and CEO of Fiji Link. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “My colleagues and I cannot wait to welcome participants to the 30th edition of ATM, which will see our industry come together in Dubai to explore this year’s theme, ‘Working Towards Net Zero’. Tomorrow’s programme features a diverse selection of interviews and panel discussions, which will provide valuable insights to attendees as we work to build a sustainable travel industry for future generations.” Other day-one highlights will include ‘Hospitality Debate: What More Can Big Data Unlock’, which will see representatives from the Global Hotel Alliance, General Hotel Management Pte Ltd, Marriott, and Hotelbeds take to the ATM Travel Tech Stage to discuss how technological advances are facilitating a better understanding of guest behaviours. Meanwhile, at the Sustainability Hub, senior figures from Weeva, the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (SHA), My Green Butler, Tourism Seychelles, Radisson RED and RHG will explore sustainable transformation as part of the session, ‘Responsible Hospitality for a Better World’. Exhibitor participation in ATM 2023 has risen by 27% compared to last year’s event, with growth registered across all show sectors. To mark its 30th edition, ATM will be unveiling a dedicated sustainability pledge designed to reinforce RX’s commitment to delivering sustainable events through the use of environmentally friendly materials, the elimination of single-use plastics and other forward-thinking initiatives. This year’s show will also feature the inaugural ‘ATM Sustainable Stand Award’, the results of which will be announced as part of the ATM 2023 Best Stand Awards. In addition to the ATM Global Stage, the ATM Travel Tech Stage and the brand-new Sustainability Hub, this year’s show will see the return of the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Arabia, which will explore trends and opportunities within the burgeoning field of high-end tourism. There will also be sessions from the International Tourism and Investment Conference (ITIC), the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). With a wide array of other must-attend events on the agenda, including sessions focused on the key markets of India, China and the GCC, plus a new informal speed networking platform, ATM 2023 will offer something to suit every specialism and interest, not to mention unparalleled networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities. The 30th edition of ATM will explore the future of sustainable travel in line with its theme, ‘Working Towards Net Zero’. Having officially initiated its journey to net zero, the conference programme will explore how innovative sustainable travel trends are likely to evolve, allowing delegates to identify growth strategies within key vertical sectors while providing a platform for regional experts to explore a sustainable future ahead of COP28, which will take place in November 2023 at Expo City Dubai.

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)

class=”slides BAKU, 30th April, 2023 (WAM) – The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) announced today that Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan will host the FIA Annual General Assembly week and Prize Giving in 2023. The 2023 event will take place from 4th to 8th December. The FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem was joined by Anar Alakbarov, the President of the Azerbaijan Automobile Federation (AAF) and Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, to formally sign the hosting agreement against the backdrop of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, taking place in Baku this weekend. In confirming Baku as the host city for the 2023 event, the FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, said: “I am delighted to confirm that Baku will host the 2023 Annual General Assembly week. I am indebted to Mr Anar Alakbarov and his team for their commitment and dedication in providing a compelling case for the wonderful city of Baku as the host venue. It is important for the geographical expansion of FIA Members’ activity and participation that we bring important FIA events to countries like Azerbaijan. Hosting FIA events like this will also stimulate interest and growth in motor sport in the region.” Anar Alakbarov, the President of the Azerbaijan Automobile Federation (AAF), said: “We feel honoured to host FIA Annual General Assembly and Prize Giving for 2023 in Baku. I strongly believe that the organization of these important events will be a milestone for the promotion of motor sports in Azerbaijan. I extend my warmest thanks to the Members of the FIA and especially to FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem for trusting and giving us this opportunity.” A highlight of the FIA year, the FIA Annual General Assembly week, chaired by the FIA President, features a number of meetings between FIA member organisations with the aim of approving proposals to take Mobility and Motor Sport forward. The Annual General Assembly is the supreme decision-making body of the FIA. The event brings together representatives from the World Council for Automobile Mobility and Tourism and World Motor Sport Council, the Mobility and Motor Sport divisions of the FIA. The event culminates in the FIA Gala Giving the official award ceremony of FIA Championships. The Prize Giving event honours the top drivers, manufacturers and teams from the FIA Formula One World Championship, the FIA World Rally Championship, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the FIA World Endurance Championship, the FIA World Rallycross Championship, the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship and the FIA World Karting Championships, amongst others. Tariq Al Fahaam

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)

LONDON, 30th April, 2023 (WAM) — The European Conference of Arab Horse Organisations (ECAHO) has added two headline title shows to its championships in the Middle East. In its two-day 40th Annual General Meeting in London, ECAHO decided to stage an International Arabian Horse Festival in Abu Dhabi next year, while the other festival will be held in any country wishing to organise it. With the addition of these new title shows, the ECAHO’s Gulf event agenda features four prestigious and largest championships, including the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Arabian Horse Festival (PSAIAHF) in Saudi capital, Riyadh, and the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival (KIAHF) in Qatari capital, Doha. Mohammed Al Harbi, Director-General of the Emirates Arabian Horse Society (EAHS) and member of ECAHO’s Executive Office, said ECAHO’s decision to stage the prestigious Arabian horse festival in Abu Dhabi underscores the equestrian industry’s recognition of the UAEs significant role in supporting the Arabian horse sports across the world. He noted that the “Title Show” championship is one of the most important and world’s highest-ranked shows in the ECAHO. s it is a celebration of the Arabian horse, the festival plays a key role in encouraging owners of purebred Arabians. It inspires them to improve their breeding programmes and nurture the breed’s beauty. The Arabian horse has played a vital role in the history and development of the Arabian culture and is held in high regard by all who choose to become part of this amazing animal’s equestrian world. Tariq Al Fahaam

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)

Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Mar Beshara Boutros Al-Rahi, affirmed, in his Sunday Mass sermon, at the Patriarchal Church in Bkerke, that ‘The Lebanese state is collapsing, and the people are migrating to a country that respects people, and all this is due to the misrule of a corrupt, destructive and failed political group without an iota of moral and patriotic conscience.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon