Day: April 25, 2024

ABU DHABI: The annual AVPN Global Conference, held from 23rd to 25th April 2024 in Abu Dhabi, concluded today, following three days of dynamic discussions, meaningful connections and landmark announcements. The event took place under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs and Chairman of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council.

Commenting on the success and new heights reached over the three-day Conference, Naina Subberwal Batra, CEO of AVPN, said, “The scale and atmosphere at AVPN Global Conference 2024 testify to the amount of work required in Asia. The magnitude of these challenges may be daunting, but it is precisely through shared learning and strategic partnerships where new alliances, innovative solutions, and transformative forces can be formed. AVPN will continue nurturing our social investor network, both here in Abu Dhabi and throughout the rest of Asia, to foster mor
e learning, collaboration, and investment to help realise a more sustainable, safe, and equitable future.’

Held in Abu Dhabi, a vibrant philanthropic ecosystem, the signature event gathered more than 1,500 attendees from across 44 markets in areas including finance, research, and development, as well as government delegates from the UAE and Indonesia. The Conference reinforced its role as Asia’s leading convener for the world’s social impact investors with a series of significant announcements and launches. On the first day alone, UAE organisations committed to a landmark US$125 million in funding for global health, poverty alleviation, and species conservation, in addition to the launch of a milestone pact between the UAE and Indonesia to reduce plastic pollution in rivers.

The 11th edition of the annual global event saw activities rallied under the theme ‘One Asia, One Future’. Abu Dhabi’s strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, is a reminder of the interconnected world in which
we live, and the urgent need to work in partnership to find solutions to pressing global issues.

AVPN Global Conference 2024 saw the launch of several game-changing initiatives.

On Day 1, the UAE announced a $50 million commitment to the second phase of the Lives and Livelihoods Fund 2.0 (LLF 2.0), a multi-donor development initiative that supports Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) member countries in building sustainable pathways out of poverty. The financing will be administered by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) and is in addition to the $50 million the UAE has contributed to the LLF since its launch in 2016.

Reaching the Last Mile, a portfolio of global health programmes driven by the philanthropy of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, announced a $15 million commitment to the Abu Dhabi-based Global Institute for Disease Elimination (GLIDE), its second since the institute’s launch in 2019.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of the UAE and the Ministry of Envi
ronment and Forestry of Indonesia today announced a landmark initiative through the signing of a memorandum of understanding. Clean Rivers, a global non-profit dedicated to tackling riverine plastic pollution, will be the implementation partner to tackle the urgent environmental challenge of plastic waste leaking into the oceans around Indonesia. The UAE and Indonesia will cooperate on a number of vital areas, including capacity building, increasing stakeholder awareness, and the design and delivery of economically sustainable circular waste systems.

Razan Al Mubarak, Managing Director of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund and UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, announced a contribution of $40 million by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund to help preserve biodiversity. The latest contribution will increase the fund’s endowment to more than $70 million by 2028.

AVPN’s ‘How Values and Beliefs Shape Giving’ rep
ort, which explored the potential of values-aligned giving is particularly ripe in Asia, where the ecosystem holds vast resources, networks and deep-rooted values that can advance social and environmental progress in the region. As Asia’s largest network of social investors, and a globally inclusive and neutral platform, this report aims to highlight the role of values-aligned giving in addressing Asia’s most pressing social issues and unpack the best practices amongst faith-aligned philanthropists and investors in the region with a goal to drive collective action for impact in Asia.

Meanwhile, Day 2 featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation and the Government (Akimat) of Astana City in the Republic of Kazakhstan to establish a rehabilitation centre for children of determination with disabilities. The centre will be located in the Yesil area of Astana city and will provide rehabilitation services for children of determination with dis
abilities.

The Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation announced plans to finance micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), aimed at developing projects that nurture entrepreneurship, building capacity and capability among young entrepreneurs in some of the least developed countries in the world. Recognising the significant opportunity for MSME’s to positively contribute to economic growth, this $27 million initiative will provide funding through a variety of mechanisms to allow recipients to build and grow their businesses.

AVPN’s ImpactCollab, Asia’s first outcomes-based social investing system supported by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, launched its first phase by unveiling the Social Outcomes Platform, Asia’s first impact data registry which will revolutionise how companies deploy capital based on verifiable data-driven, outcomes-based impact valuations for potentially up to 1,200 impact organisations across Asia and provide social investors with reliable, investor-grade impact data to make fund
ing decisions.

AVPN and the Authority of Social Contributions (Ma’an) signed an MoU to strengthen existing strategic partnerships and collaborations between the public and private sectors and civil society, to develop innovative solutions to social challenges, particularly in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Day 3 saw the signing of an MoU between AVPN and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to explore how innovative finance – financial arrangements that are not traditional donor-based humanitarian assistance – can be leveraged to promote resilience and improve livelihood prospects for the forcibility displaced communities across Asia.

As AVPN Global Conference 2024 drew to a close, the tremendous support and milestones achieved demonstrate the global social investing ecosystem’s recognition of urgent action and commitment to effectuate positive change on an unprecedented scale. With a record-breaking amount of funds announced, the Conference has set a new benchmark for philanthropic giving and social investing, signal
ling the ecosystem’s resolve to drive tangible, sustainable impact for One Asia, One Future.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI: The National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) Board of Trustees held its twelfth meeting on April 24 2024, chaired by Maqsoud Kruse, Chairperson of the NHRI Board of Trustees.

The agenda included following up on the implementation of previous decisions and discussing updates related to achieving the main goals of the NHRI in the next phase.

NHRI was established in 2021 as per the Federal Law No. (12) as an independent institution and enjoys financial and administrative independence and aims to protect and promote human rights in the United Arab Emirates by taking into account the UAE Constitution, mandates, and other relevant international treaties.

The institution works in compliance with the Paris Principles as it sets the basis for regulating the work of national human rights institutions approved by the United Nations.

Source: Emirates News Agency

SHARJAH: The local emergency, crisis, and disaster management team in Sharjah has declared the full reinstatement of in-person education across all educational institutions in the Emirate of Sharjah, effective from the upcoming Monday, April 29.

The announcement reflects the collective efforts of educational institutions and government bodies in swiftly addressing the aftermath of the recent adverse weather conditions experienced in the country.

Source: Emirates News Agency

FUJAIRAH: H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, has affirmed the role of media in the development of societies and shaping the awareness of individuals.

He pointed out the attention given by the Fujairah government, in implementation of the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, to develop the media sector and focus on its tools to keep pace with global changes on all levels.

This came as he attended the opening of the Fujairah Media Forum 2024, titled ‘Parallel Media’ in the presence of Sheikh Dr. Rashid bin Hamad Al-Sharqi, Chairman of the Fujairah Authority for Culture and Information, and Saeed AlEter. Chairman of UAE Government Media Office, with the participation of a select group of Arab media professionals, publishers, and avid followers of modern media issues.

Mohammed Saeed Al Dhanhani, Director of the Fujairah Emiri Diwan, and Chairman of the Higher Committee of the Forum, in his speech on b
ehalf of the Fujairah government, affirmed that the credit for the return of the Fujairah Media Forum this year goes to the directives of His Highness the Ruler of Fujairah, who attaches great importance to media, and to the support and diligent follow-up of His Highness the Crown Prince of Fujairah, to keep up with the developments in modern media for the higher good of the nation and society.

Al Dhanhani stated that the Fujairah Media Forum is discussing important issues related to culture, education, and media under the theme ‘Parallel Media’. The goal is to enhance traditional media and effectively use digital media for societal benefit. He raised the question of ‘how to utilise technology without losing sight of our core objectives. The focus is on maintaining serious media’s impact in addressing significant issues and preventing distractions from its main purpose.’

Al Dhanhan emphasised the importance of working collectively to uphold cultural identity and deliver the right messages using technology,
as media plays a crucial role in achieving these objectives and shaping future generations.

The Crown Prince of Fujairah honoured some of the oldest Arabic newspapers, represented by their editors-in-chief: Maged Monir, Editor-in-Chief of Egypt’s Al-Ahram; Hamad Al Kaabi, Editor-in-Chief of UAE’s Al-Ittihad; and Ibrahim al Mulaifi, Editor-in-Chief of Al Arabi magazine.

The opening ceremony featured a short film titled “A World of Magic,” showcasing the evolution of media worldwide. It highlighted technological advancements in recent years and the emergence of new electronic platforms, and their impact on traditional media. Prior to honouring the prestigious newspapers, a film was shown documenting their media experiences and histories.

The ceremony was attended by Dr. Ahmed Hamdan Al Zeyoudi, Director of the Office of H.H. Crown Prince of Fujairah, and a diverse audience of media professionals.

Source: Emirates News Agency