Day: March 2, 2024

DUBAI: The UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE) has announced a number of tips and guidelines to those wishing to participate in the 4th cycle of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award, with total prizes of USD 1 million. The guidelines aim to raise participants’ awareness on the details that must be highlighted to ensure that all registration requirements and conditions are fulfilled and increase their winning chances. The Award recognises organisations, research centres, and innovators from around the world who develop innovative technologies and prototypes to produce, distribute, desalinate, and purify water using renewable energy. The aim is to develop solutions to the water scarcity challenge facing underprivileged and afflicted communities around the world.

‘Suqia UAE supports the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to consolidate the UAE’s positive role in fostering hope and improving the lives of
millions of people around the world. Thanks to the unlimited support of His Highness, the award has gained the attention of institutions, research centres, and innovators, turning into a global platform for developing practical and sustainable solutions to the global water crisis using renewable energy. Over the past 3 cycles of the award, we rewarded 31 winners from 22 countries for their innovative projects in water desalination and purification using renewable energy sources including solar, wind, biomass, hydropower, osmotic power, and geothermal technologies,’ said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE).

‘Suqia requires that each participating project proves the quality and safety of produced water and its production capacity according to relevant factors. These include the quality of the source water, environmental conditions, technical restrictions, disinfecting systems, and maintenance and operational requirements,’ added Al Tayer.

Suqi
a also requires the participants to demonstrate how renewable energy is integrated or utilised to produce water and display environmental impact assessment in terms of water production, desalination, purification or project management. Suqia also recommends highlighting the project’s financial savings through a life cycle cost analysis that outlines its payback period and Internal Rate of Return (IRR). Applications should highlight the creative aspects by demonstrating the project’s process, technology, and methodology. They should also showcase successful examples of efficient water production projects that can be replicated elsewhere by outlining market needs and ease of use. Participants should highlight stakeholders such as partners, sponsors, customers, the public, or end-users. Participants can also elaborate on any awareness activities and knowledge sharing activities to raise stakeholders’ awareness. Applications can elaborate on plans for the project’s future improvements. The Innovative Projects Awa
rd and the Innovative Crisis Solutions Award categories require that the project is owned by the applicant organisation or company with a registered commercial license. The Innovative Research and Development Award category requires that the project is owned by its sponsor(s), whether they are academic entities, research centres, institutions, or companies. The project must be presented by its supervisors and be accredited by the sponsoring organisation(s).

Suqia requires providing safe drinking water in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines as well as the local Environmental and Social Standards (ESS). The submissions should also analyse the costs and benefits as well as demonstrate the ability to adapt to local environments. The applicant should explain the approach, new and innovative applications, overall efficiency, and prospects for improvement. Moreover, Suqia has issued a set of guidelines for each award category:

Innovative Projects Award (Small projects award USD 240,000 distr
ibuted to the top three winners – Large projects award USD 300,000 distributed to the top three winners)

The project submitted by the applicant must be an innovative and commercialised or a ready-to-be- commercialised (e.g. passed pilot stage) solution with measurable results in operation for at least 3 months prior to application deadline date. The project can consist of a single system or multiple systems deployed by the same organisation in different locations. The project should rely on 100% use of renewable energy to produce safe drinking water in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. It should demonstrate innovation in production capacity, overcoming technical limitations, disinfection systems, operation and maintenance requirements, while also improving efficiency and cost effectiveness. The project’s specifications should meet WHO requirements for non-emergency water availability, that is, provide a minimum of 30 litres per person a day to intended recipients.

Innovative Research
and Development Award (National Institutions Award USD 200,000 distributed to the top three winners – International Institutions Award USD200,000 distributed to the top three winners)

The submission must be an innovative and prototyped solution with a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5, with the ability to demonstrate measurable system, subsystem and/or system component improvements in potable water production, distribution and management methods. The solution must be developed and executed by the applicant with the aim of improving the provision of safe drinking water in line with WHO guidelines. It is preferred if the solution can operate on renewable energy once deployed in the field without affecting its economic viability. The submission should preferably be a solution that is easily installed, operated and maintained without the need for highly specialised skills and tools. It should be able to operate reliably in different and harsh ambient conditions, using low cost and easy to maintain te
chnology.

Innovative Individual Award (Youth Award USD 20,000 for one winner – Distinguished Researcher Award USD 20,000 for one winner)

The individuals applying to this category should have developed one or more contributions to enable innovative technological solutions to address water scarcity, which can use renewable energy to produce safe drinking water in line WHO guidelines. The applicants should submit an overview of their research and implementation contributions towards the aims of the award, along with all supporting documents (scientific publications, patents, prototype photos, descriptions, etc.)

Innovative Crisis Solutions Award (USD 20,000 for one winner)

The applicant’s project must be an innovative system or management system to offer emergency relief by providing clean and safe drinking water in communities that have been affected by internationally declared crises, such as natural disasters or catastrophic events. The project can consist of a single system, or a pool of multiple systems
deployed by the same organisation in different locations or communities and have the ability to be deployed within 48 hours. The project must have been field deployed in an emergency and proven to have aided at least 1,000 people in need of fresh water during the initial critical phases of humanitarian assistance. The project should demonstrate innovation in rapid deployment, independency from existing utility supplies and provisions, and robustness during operation. In this category, the applicant need not demonstrate the use of renewable energy, but it is preferable.

Suqia invites all institutions, companies, research centres, innovators, and young people from around the world to participate in the 4th cycle of the award. Applications can be submitted until 30 April 2024 on www.mbrwateraward.ae/awards.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI: The 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has concluded with the acceptance of Abu Dhabi Declaration, a landmark document securing important new trade agreements that will extend the benefits of the global trading system to more nations.

Following a week of intensive negotiations, Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade and MC13 Chair, heralded the Declaration as ‘a momentous week not only for Abu Dhabi and the UAE, but for global trade as a whole’.

Hosted by the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Economy and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), MC13 took place across five days at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center, beginning on February 26 and concluding at around 2am on March 2nd. The Abu Dhabi Declaration reflects consensus on a series of key trade and development policies.

Members agreed to implement Special and Preferential Treatment on Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (
TBT), which supports producers in least developed countries gain better access to global supply chains. Currently, SPS measures account for 90 percent of non-tariff barriers to trade, which are considered discriminatory to smaller nations.

In another outcome benefitting of developing countries, ministers adopted a Ministerial Decision that responds to a 23-year-old mandate to review special and differential treatment (S and DT) provisions for developing and least developed countries (LDCs) with a view to making them more precise, effective and operational.

Substantive breakthroughs were made on dispute settlement, with an agreement to fulfil the MC12 mandate to achieve a fully and well-functioning Dispute Settlement system by the end 2024 – with a wide range of reform pathways agreed by the membership.

On E-commerce, Members agreed to extend the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions for another two years, meaning that trade in purely digital products and services will remain tariff-free
until MC14 in Cameroon. Ministers also adopted a Ministerial Decision to extend the moratorium on non-violation and situation complaints regarding the Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) until MC14.

MC13 saw the accession of two new WTO Members, with Comoros and Timor-Leste becoming the 165th and 166th members of the body – and the first new Members since 2016. This also increased the number of Least Developed Countries, as defined by the United Nations, in the WTO to 37 out of the total 45 LDCs. Comoros and Timor-Leste will now be able to participate in the monitoring and negotiation of these treaties and trade with all WTO members on preferential terms.

The entry into force of new rules to simplify trade in services was also announced during MC13. The 72 Members that signed up to the Joint Initiative on Services Domestic Regulation account for more than 92 percent of the world’s trade in services.

MC13 also saw the UAE make a US$10 million commitment to three key WT
O development funds. The contribution will be split between the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, which will receive US$5 million, the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), which is to get US$4 million, and the Fisheries Funding Mechanism, which will benefit from US$1 million. Collectively, the grants underline the UAE’s belief in, and commitment to, trade as a driver of economic growth. The commitment was announced by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the eve of MC13. The UAE also provided AED 1 million (CHF240,000) to increase the capacity of least developed countries to participate in the Ministerial.

Notably, MC13 also facilitated expanded private-sector engagement. The forum provided an opportunity to explore greater collaboration and partnership with business, non-governmental organisations, the private sector, and civil society to enhance the effectiveness of trade policies and programs via a series of side events. These included the Tr
adeTech Global Forum, which promoted the use of technology in global supply chains, and sessions on trade facilitation in partnership with Etihad Credit Insurance, trade finance with HSBC, SMEs with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), the WLP Logistics Challenges with DP World, Future of Cargo in collaboration with Emirates, and Sustainable Trade Africa.

Ministerial Conferences are the highest decision-making body of the WTO and serve as crucial forums for its Members to address trade challenges, refine trade rules and set the agenda for global trade policy. The 13th Ministerial Conference builds on progress achieved during MC12, held in Geneva in June 2022.

Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade and Chair of the MC13, said: ‘It has been a momentous week for Abu Dhabi, for the UAE and for global trade. I would like to thank the delegations from every member for their diligence and dedication to the negotiation and for their ceaseless efforts in making the global trading sys
tem more robust, more efficient and, most importantly, more accessible. Even in areas where final agreements have not been reached issues that previously seemed unsolvable can now be unlocked – clearing the way for further progress in the months to come.

‘Delivering the Abu Dhabi Declaration of outcomes is a true testament to the value that Members continue to attach to the World Trade Organisation and its pivotal role in ensuring an orderly global system of trade rules. With the adopted Abu Dhabi Declaration we have demonstrated that we can deliver to ensure the global trading system remains a vital engine of growth and development for nations around the world. We must build on these significant achievements and remain united for global trade.’

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO said: “The WTO remains a source of stability and resilience in an economic and geopolitical landscape fraught with uncertainties and exogenous shocks. Trade remains a vital force for improving people’s lives, and f
or helping businesses and countries cope with the impact of these shocks. Let us get some rest, then regroup and resume.’

MC13 was hosted by the UAE Ministry of Economy and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) with the support of Strategic Partners: Abu Dhabi Department of Tourism and Culture (DTC); Integrated Transport Centre (ITC); ADNEC Services; Etihad Airways; Etisalat (e and ); Emirates News Agency (WAM); Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA); and The Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR).

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is comprised of 166 Members and is the only multilateral organisation overseeing the rules of trade between nations, dedicated to enabling member states to use trade as a means to raise living standards, create jobs, and improve people’s lives across the world. Its biannual Ministerial Conference is considered its topmost decision-making forum, bringing together ministers and senior officials from all Members with the aim of reviewing and
updating the rules that shape the global trading system.

Source: Emirates News Agency