Day: February 14, 2024

The US-British aggression launched a raid this on Hodeidah Governorate.

A security source explained to the Yemeni News Agency (Saba) that the US-British aggression targeted a raid on the Ras Issa area in the Salif district of Hodeidah.

RAS AL KHAIMAH: H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah today attended an annual event celebrating the National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah (RAKBANK)’s achievements in 2023.

H.H. Sheikh Saud acknowledged the strength and stability of the banking sector in Ras Al Khaimah, and its role in accelerating economic growth, which, he said, reinforced the Emirate’s regional and global economic standing.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Amman: The Government Tenders Department (GTD), alongside the Government Procurement Department, has initiated a groundbreaking project to promote Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) in Jordan. Supported by the World Bank, this initiative aims to establish a comprehensive EPP policy, integrating environmental sustainability into Jordan’s procurement practices.

Director General of the GTD Mahmoud Khalifat emphasized the project’s role in enhancing public-private sector collaboration. He stated, “This initiative aims to consolidate the principles of true partnership between sectors to promote sustainability through EPP in Jordan.”

Khalifat highlighted the strategic importance of directing public spending towards local products and green growth, in line with the government’s procurement reform objectives. He noted, “EPP focuses on procuring materials that are environmentally friendly throughout their lifecycle, significantly contributing to sustainable development.”

In 2023, the GTD executed tenders w
ith EPP standards totaling about JD39 million, representing 10% of their procurement activities. Khalifat expressed optimism about the project’s potential to address environmental challenges, stimulate sustainable investments, and facilitate green financing.

Hanadi Nabulsi, Director General of the Government Procurement Department, discussed the collaborative framework of the initiative, “Working alongside the GTD and with support from the World Bank, we are committed to developing and implementing EPP specifications that meet our sustainability goals.” She highlighted the importance of partnerships with various ministries and agencies in achieving successful EPP outcomes.

Director of Procurement at the World Bank for the Middle East and North Africa Majed Bayaa presented the Bank’s approach to supporting Jordan’s EPP initiative. “Our support for Jordan’s EPP initiative is part of a broader ‘whole-of-government’ approach, aiming to promote green public procurement across high-impact sectors,” Bayaa explaine
d.

Yolanda Saito, Chief Operating Officer at Impacti and Ibtisam Bou Attay, head of the Middle East and North Africa team at Impacti, provided insights into the technical and strategic aspects of EPP.

Saito introduced green procurement, environmental policies, and necessary technical tools, while Bou Attay emphasized the importance of international best practices and knowledge exchange in guiding effective EPP reform.

The GTD’s strategic plan for 2023-2025 includes EPP as a key component, reflecting the department’s commitment to leading in sustainable procurement. Khalifat concluded by thanking the World Bank, Impacti, and all project contributors for their support in driving Jordan’s sustainable development through EPP.

Source: Jordan News Agency

DUBAI: H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, visited the Edge of Government platform at the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2024, which concluded today in Dubai.

The Edge of Government platform, overseen by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation under the theme ‘Shifting Perspectives’, showcased 13 innovations designed to foster a fresh, out-of-the-box approach to addressing critical challenges. The platform primarily aimed to inspire and motivate through interactive experiences.

The Edge of Government platform aims to recognise government innovations from around the world, offering a great opportunity for knowledge sharing and a preview of innovative, future-ready tools.

Standing out among the exhibits were the two winners of the 6th Edge of Government Award, which were announced on the second day of the WGS. These included Trkiye’s RoboRoyale ecosystem support project and Spain’s Life Work Balance proj
ect.

Other innovations included submissions from Canada, Guatemala, China, USA, Kenya, UK, Finland, Spain, Australia, India, France, Rwanda, and Trkiye.

Sheikh Hamdan was accompanied by Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Vice-Chair of the World Government Summit, and Abdulla Al Basti, Secretary-General of the Executive Council of Dubai; and Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police.

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation launched the 6th edition of the Edge of Government Award during this year’s summit, introducing visitors and participants to key initiatives and innovative solutions developed by governments.

Source: Emirates News Agency

_: Al-Shawarbeh pointed out during his review of the 2017-2023 key achievements that 4835 dunums were planted as new green spaces, 7 parks were established, and 77 others were rehabilitated, and the number of trees and shrubs planted reached 535,000, of which 20,000 were planted in the phosphate hills lands.

In the public works sector, the value of infrastructure projects and works reached JD252 million, and the value of establishing the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects, street marking, traffic signs installing, street lighting, traffic lights and lighting poles, and surveillance camera systems installing reached JD158 million, as did the establishment of the sixth and fifth cells in the Ghabawi landfill at a cost of JD13 million.

On the planning sector, Al-Shawarbeh explained that the organized area of ??Amman is 419 square kilometers, which constitutes only 52.7% of its total area of ??795 square kilometers, pointing out that 11795 electronic transactions were completed in the field of organization, and 7
4062 electronic site organization blueprints documents.

He added that there are services that are carried out with artificial intelligence (AI), meaning without human intervention, namely the site organization blueprint, a quittance, a lease contract ratification, and the renewal of professional licenses, in addition to extracting traffic violations.

He added that the Ghabawi landfill is a success story at the regional level, as about 45% of GAM’s electricity bill is covered by converting the Ghabawi landfill waste to methane gas and then converting it to energy.

He said that GAM has won a number of Arab and international awards and hosts two institutions of the Arab Cities Organization: the Arab Cities Cultural Working Group and the Arab Smart Cities Forum.

In turn, Chairman of the Capital Governorate Council, Ahmad Al-Abdallat, stressed that GAM and the Council are linked by a joint service goal towards the capital and providing the best service to the citizen. He called for setting up a joint higher co
mmittee between the Capital Governorate Council and GAM, chaired by Deputy Mayor of Amman, Muhammad Rasmi Al-Qaisi, and includes representatives from both sides.

Source: Jordan News Agency