Day: March 14, 2024

SHARJAH: Keen to provide a decent life for his people in the Emirate of Sharjah and the city of Kalba, H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, directed the start of completing sewage network projects in Al Saf and Al Ghail neighborhoods in the Al Fareesh suburb, in the city of Kalba.

The project comes as a continuation of the sanitation projects carried out by the Department of Public Works within the main strategic sanitation system in Sharjah and the sanitation plan in the city of Kalba.

Engineer Ali bin Shaheen Al Suwaidi, Head of the Sharjah Public Works Department, Ssaid H.H. directed the completion of the sewerage project in the Al Fareesh suburb, represented by Al Ghail and Al Saf neighborhoods, which comes as a continuation of the sewerage projects previously completed by the department in the city of Kalba in the areas of Block 16, Block 19 (Al Saf 8), Al Qalaa, Khor Kalba, Al Bardi, Al Oud, Al Qadisiyah, Sidra, Hittin, Al Khuwair, and Al S
af residential complex, in addition to the treatment plant that has a capacity of 3,700 cubic litres per day.

Al Suwaidi stressed that the projects for the city contribute significantly to preserving the environment, public health and safety, through integrated sewage networks, and also reduce the need for tanks, and thus contribute to the smooth flow of traffic, and strengthening the economy.

The project enhances infrastructure efforts and enhances the quality of life, and aims to strengthen the city’s infrastructure and improve health services for its citizens and residents. This project is expected to contribute to improving environmental quality, pointing to the importance of investing in health infrastructure to achieve sustainable development and accelerate economic growth by creating an attractive environment by strengthening the service infrastructure network, in accordance with the highest standards of security and safety.

Sanitation projects contribute to improving public health and preserving th
e environment and the surrounding ecosystem, including groundwater, water bodies and soil. They also contribute to supporting sustainable development, reducing environmental disasters, enhancing tourism and investment attraction, and providing a clean and healthy environment that is more attractive to tourists and investors, which enhances economic activity and contributes to achieving sustainable development. Thus, building healthy and sustainable societies, is also considered a vital investment in the future of humanity and the environment.

Source: Emirates News Agency

SHARJAH: Seeking to expand the visibility of Emirati creative content on the global stage and nurturing the development of the UAE publishing industry, the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) is returning to this year’s London Book Fair taking place from 12 – 14 March, showcasing leading Emirati publishing houses.

At this esteemed exhibition, the association’s pavilion will host a delegation comprising representatives from five local publishing houses: Kalimat Group, Sidra Publishing and Distribution, DreamWorks, Asfoura, and Dar Al Thaqafa Publishing. Through this collaboration, the association provides these publishing houses with a valuable platform to broaden their marketing outreach, discover opportunities for selling and translating rights, and interact with industry experts to envision the future of publishing towards enriching the UAE’s publishing and translation landscape.

The association’s pavilion features a distinguished collection of the latest publications from creative minds in the UAE, enc
ompassing literature, science, and knowledge. The collection includes a diverse array of books and comic stories tailored for children and young adults, spanning genres including early education, suspense, adventure, and science fiction. Moreover, novels delving into history, arts, and biographies, as well as books focusing on self-development, language arts, social sciences, and travel, cater to readers’ varied tastes and interests in the British capital.

Rashid Alkous, Executive Director of EPA , emphasised the association’s dedication to the London Book Fair, stating: ‘This annual international exhibition offers Emirati publishers a platform for immersive experiences and direct engagement with specialists in the publishing field. It enables rights, sales, and distribution negotiations across diverse print, audio, visual, and digital channels, contributing significantly to realising their ambitions of making a distinctive mark on the global publishing industry.’

Alkous emphasised the association’s efforts
to identify cooperation opportunities in copyright and translation services and support participating publishers throughout the exhibition, including facilitating match-making sessions and arranging meetings with international publishers interested in exploring the UAE market. As one of the world’s largest book markets, the book fair presents a significant opportunity for publishers to connect with over 25,000 global specialists.

The EPA’s participation underscores its dedication to supporting Emirati publishers and enhancing their presence in the global publishing market, in line with its broader efforts to bolster the creative economy in the United Arab Emirates and promote Emirati literature on a global scale.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI: The UAE has achieved a new global milestone in the field of gender balance by advancing to the seventh rank globally in the Gender Inequality Index 2024, issued by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), rising significantly from its 49th place in 2015 and 11th place in 2022.

The United Nations Development Programme announced this new global achievement of the UAE during the meetings of the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, being held until 22 March in New York. The UAE Gender Balance Council is participating in the event.

H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council (UAE GBC), wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, attributed the UAE’s global position in the field of gender balance to the wise leadership’s vision, and the continuous support extended by H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, (the Mother of the Nation), Chairwom
an 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).

Sheikha Manal said: ‘Our wise leadership’s profound commitment and support for gender balance and their eagerness to enhance women’s representation across economic, political, and social fields through pioneering legislation and initiatives have led made this exceptional achievement possible.’

‘Improving the UAE’s ranking in global reports and indicators strengthens its position as a global and regional model for gender balance,’ Her Highness stressed that the strong partnership between all state departments and the cooperation of the private sector have played key roles in this achievement.

H.H. highlighted the UAE’s commitment to empowering women and giving them extensive opportunities to excel as indispensable partners in shaping the future. ‘Our wise leadership’s belief in women’s abilities and the supportive environment created for the
ir success have propelled Emirati women to influential roles across vital sectors. Today, they are key decision-makers in pivotal sectors, supporting our nation’s global leadership aspirations,’ she noted.

Sheikha Manal said: “Thanks to the insightful vision of our wise leadership, women in the UAE have received considerable attention, propelling the nation to a prominent international position in gender balance.”

She praised the pivotal role played by H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak in championing women’s empowerment through numerous national programmes and targeted initiatives aimed at ensuring equitable opportunities in education, employment, and various other domains.

H.H. expressed her pride in the UAE government’s commitment to supporting women. She pointed out that Emirati women continue to play a tangible and influential role in the country’s development process, bolstered by the unlimited support of the wise leadership.

She reaffirmed the UAE Gender Balance Council’s commitment to broadening its
global partnerships, as part of its efforts to raise the nation’s leading position and foster gender balance achievements not only regionally but also globally. Stressing the UAE’s dedication to supporting international endeavours for sustainable development goals, she highlighted the Council’s engagement in global forums as a crucial avenue for forging partnerships and sharing best practices in empowering women and promoting gender balance-a cornerstone for building inclusive and prosperous societies and economies.

H.H. said: ‘We place high priority on active participation in the meetings of the Committee on the Status of Women of the Economic and Social Council, which is one of the major international forums that the UAE attends annually. These meetings offer extensive opportunities to bolster the Council’s partnerships, as they represent the largest annual gathering at the United Nations focused on gender balance, women’s advancement, and empowerment. With the participation of representatives of Member St
ates, United Nations entities, non-governmental organisations, experts, and advocates for women’s empowerment, it serves as a vital platform for advancing global excellence in gender balance.”

The UAE Gender Balance Council is actively participating in the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, which is being held at the United Nations headquarters in New York from 11 to 22 March. An official UAE delegation headed by Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, which includes Hanan Ahli, Council Member, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), participated in several events of the session and held important meetings and gatherings with representatives of various participating countries and officials of international organisations.

This year’s session of the Commission on the Status of Women is held under the slogan ‘Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty
and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective’. The session is a vital platform to strengthen global partnerships and highlight the UAE’s achievements in gender balance, social and economic empowerment of women, and the nation’s international efforts to achieve sustainable development goals.

On the sidelines of the activities of the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, Mona Al Marri met with Pedro Conceição, Director of the Human Development Report Office at the United Nations Development Programme. The two sides discussed potential cooperation and the Human Development Report for 2024.

Pedro Conceição praised the positive results of the Gender Balance Index in the UAE, terming it a model for government initiatives aimed at creating a work environment that supports gender balance. He congratulated the UAE on its remarkable progress and achievements in recent years in the field of gender balance, which reflect the leadership’s vision and political determination and
strong commitment to advancing development, progress and social and economic prosperity. He noted that the UAE is an inspiring global model for gender balance.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI: The UAE has welcomed the outcomes of the meeting which was convened at the headquarters of the Arab League in Cairo, Egypt. During the meeting, Libyan parties reached an agreement to supervise presidential and parliamentary elections, and reaffirmed Libya’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) commended the efforts of the Arab League for the success of the dialogue and the important agreements that were reached to achieve a political settlement in Libya. The Ministry expressed its hope that the agreement would act as a significant step to enhance security and stability in the country and reinforce the endeavours of the United Nations mission.

Furthermore, the Ministry reaffirmed the UAE’s unwavering position that calls for a solution to the conflict in Libya and its full support for efforts to strengthen security, stability and unity in accordance with the roadmap outcomes, Security Council resolutions, and the outcomes of th
e political dialogue endorsed by the United Nations mission and the UN Security Council.

Source: Emirates News Agency

BEIJING: The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said on Wednesday that it had concluded the selection of a fourth batch of astronauts to join future space missions.

According to China Central Television, China has outlined plans to select between 12 and 14 trainee astronauts to augment its existing cadre of astronauts for forthcoming spaceflight endeavours. This group of candidates encompasses individuals skilled in piloting, flight engineering, and payload management.

China started the selection process in 2022. By August 2023, the second stage was completed, and about 20 candidates entered the final round.

Trainee astronauts will go through an intense training that normally lasts three and a half years before they are ready to conduct space missions.

China is planning two manned space missions in April and October this year, using the Long March 2F carrier rocket to send the Shenzhou XVIII and Shenzhou XIX manned spacecraft to the orbiting Tiangong space station.

Also in October, Tianzhou-8, an improved
large-capacity cargo spacecraft, is scheduled to deliver supplies to the Chinese space station.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI: TRENDS Research and Advisory (TRENDS), in partnership with the China Media Group Regional Office, is organising a joint symposium entitled “China’s Economy in the Prosperity Phase.” The event will be held on 19th March 2024 at TRENDS Conference Hall in Abu Dhabi.

The symposium will bring ambassadors, experts and researchers from the UAE and China to discuss several themes. The first theme is related to the Chinese model of development. The discussion will address the main features and opportunities, in addition to the Belt and Road Initiative and China’s endeavours for balanced international economic relations.

The second theme addresses the role of media in promoting China-Gulf relations and media as a tool of public diplomacy in strengthening relations between countries. The discussion will also cover the role of media in promoting positive relations between China and the UAE and the importance of strengthening UAE-China media cooperation.

The third theme will address the opportunities for eco
nomic cooperation between the UAE and China: The UAE as a gateway to China in the Gulf region, comparing the similarities and convergence between the Chinese model of development and the UAE development. The discussion will cover the indicators of the prosperity of UAE-Chinese trade and investments, in addition to the role of the private sector in deepening UAE-Chinese relations.

The fourth theme will focus on the future trends of Chinese economic growth and their global impacts. This theme reviews the elements of Chinese growth in the era of international economic competition, the future of the Belt and Road Initiative and its development implications for the global economy. The discussion will cover China, the BRICS group and global competition.

Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research and Advisory, expressed his pleasure in cooperating with the regional office of China Media Group to organise this event. He indicated it is an opportunity to enrich the discussion on various aspects of the Chin
ese economy and its global impact.

Dr. Al-Ali said China Media Group is one of the most prominent international corporations. It has extensive experience and owns a wide range of television and radio channels, websites, and several research and academic institutions.

Source: Emirates News Agency