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UAE hosts WHO celebration of Universal Health Coverage Day

DUBAI, Expo 2020 Dubai hosted the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) celebration of the Universal Health Coverage Day, which falls on 12th December, under the theme “Leave no one’s health behind: invest in health systems for all”.

On this occasion, Expo 2020 Dubai devoted one day to celebrating the global efforts on the journey towards universal health coverage and advancing the sustainable development goals (SDGs) for global prosperity.

The ceremony was attended by Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad bin Nasser Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General the Expo 2020 Dubai Bureau, Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Public Health Sector, and officials from the government health sector.

Attending from WHO were Dr. Tedros Adhanom, WHO Director-General, Dr. Ahmed Al Mandhari, WHO’s Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, and a number of officials in the health sector and WHO.

Also attending were an elite group of international speakers who shared their insights and aspirations on universal coverage and how to create a healthy enabling environment for communities.

The event constitutes a global platform and a perfect opportunity for decision-makers and representatives of organisations and pavilions of over 100 countries participating in Expo 2020 Dubai to discuss future strategies, in order to develop a global universal health coverage system, which enhances the ability of countries to provide positive initiatives for societies.

It’s also an opportunity to forge permanent partnerships and offer effective solutions for the challenges facing our world today in light of the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A common goal

In his speech, Al Owais welcomed WHO Director-General and all the attendees and thanked the organisation and its staff for their tremendous efforts in promoting and developing cooperation opportunities among the Member States.

“Our common goal today is to continue working to strengthen cooperation as part of our endeavors to realise universal health coverage. This is achieved by joining forces, exchanging experiences, taking advantage of all available tools and resources and harnessing knowledge and technology, and everything that would contribute to raising the level of health care services and access to quality healthy life,” Al Owais added.

Supporting WHO efforts

“The UAE, through the hosting of this global event, would like to reaffirm its keenness to promote synergy among member states, to move towards achieving sustainable development and quality health care in the world, in addition to playing an effective and impactful role in supporting the efforts of the World Health Organisation,” Al Owais stated.

He added that the event coincides with the celebrations of UAE’s golden jubilee, a stage in which the state strives to achieve a paradigm shift in its development march, prepare plans and projects, and anticipate the future of the next fifty years.

This represents a qualitative addition to the UAE’s efforts to support the system of joint work with the World Health Organisation, he said in conclusion.

Health care for all

Dr. Hussain Al Rand commended the tremendous efforts made by WHO to achieve universal health coverage and fight the coronavirus and its mutated strains.

Al Rand highlighted the importance of the event in building joint global strategies to support equitable access to universal coverage, especially vaccines, treatments, and health services on the basis of principles of solidarity and sustainability, through approaches based on access to basic health care services for all.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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UN presents special award to UAE for its role in government modernisation

DUBAI, In a new achievement for the UAE, the United Nations (UN) honoured the UAE government with a special award in recognition of its role in government modernisation.

This recognition came during the United Nations Public Service Awards ceremony, the most prestigious global award in the field of public service.

The award came in recognition of the UAE’s achievements in the field of government modernisation, building new models of future governments, and its global efforts in exchanging knowledge in the field of government modernisation with countries regionally and worldwide.

The ceremony was attended by Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, and Catherine Pollard, Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance at the UN.

On this occasion, Al Gergawi stated that the UN award reflects the leading status that the UAE government achieved pursuant the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Al Gergawi stated, “The award reflects the UAE’s exceptional achievements in developing an agile government model based on designing proactive services, promoting efficiency and enhancing competitiveness.”

“The award came as a new international testimony on the development of the UAE, led by a futuristic, pioneering and innovative government, and demonstrating the vision of its leadership aiming to develop proactive future services. It further reflects the global appreciation of its role in modernising government work on the basis of continuous development, enhancing future readiness, and applying digital transformation,” he stressed.

He further added, “We take pride in our exceptional leadership that has rendered the UAE a global model for government development, an international reference for shaping future governments, and a hub for developing best government practices and enhancing efficiency and quality performance.”

Mohammad Al Gergawi extended his thanks and appreciation to the United Nations for honouring the UAE’s government and celebrating its success story, stressing the organisation’s pivotal role in the advancement of countries, governments and nations worldwide.

He pinpointed that the UAE government is keen to promote fruitful cooperation with the UN, as it strongly believes in the importance of promoting international cooperation to secure a better future for mankind.

Catherine Pollard: The UAE has developed an exceptional government work model

Catherine Pollard commended the experiences of the UAE government, and the advanced models it has developed in the field of public service.

She further noted that the special award presented by the UN reflects its appreciation of the efforts and initiatives of the UAE government, its unique model of government work, and its effective partnership with countries and international organisations for exchanging knowledge and sharing experiences.

“As we gather at the first UNPSA ceremony since the beginning of the pandemic, we seize the opportunity to thank public servants everywhere for their continued dedication, and celebrate public service inspiring initiatives that resulted from their innovations and commitment to enhance public services delivery to achieve sustainable development,” she added.

Top Rankings on Global Competitiveness Indicators

Over the past years, the UAE government has launched strategic partnerships in the field of government modernisation under the umbrella of the government knowledge exchange program, with 9 countries worldwide. The partnerships yielded 241 successful initiatives in more than 55 work fields, and upskilled 290,000 employees and trainees through 3 millions training hours and 565 workshops.

The UAE ranked first regionally and 21st globally in the E-Government Survey 2020 conducted by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. According to the Global Competitiveness Report issued by the World Economic Forum (WEF), it ranked third globally on the Government’s Responsiveness to Change indicator and fourth on the Government Long-term Vision indicator.

The UAE also ranked third globally as the most trusted government according to the 2021 Edelman Trust Barometer.

In addition, the UAE Government Accelerators, the first of its kind worldwide adopting acceleration and innovation to develop proactive solutions for addressing challenges, has become a hub for knowledge partnerships worldwide.

Moreover, the UAE government has also launched the World Government Summit, which serves as the largest global platform that brings together government officials and experts from around the world to shape the future. Since its launch, the Summit has held up to 1,000 sessions and hosted more than 25,000 participants and 40 international organisations. It also has signed more than 80 agreements and published more than 100 reports.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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DMCA and Sharjah Branch of AASTS, cooperate in maritime education, training and research

SHARJAH, In line with their shared vision to support the UAE’s maritime sector, the Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, Sharjah Branch (AASTS), one of the specialised organisations of the League of Arab States, and a member of the Association of Arab Universities and the International Association of Universities, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate in education, training and research studies in the maritime sector.

The MoU was signed by Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Executive Director of Dubai Maritime City Authority, and Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar Ismail Farag, President of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport. Officials from DMCA and AASTS were present during the signing ceremony, which took place during the UAE Maritime Week 2021, where both sides are participating.

According to the MoU, the two sides will cooperate in different areas including recognising AASTS as an accredited body to provide training in maritime inspections and safety, maritime education and training to certify seafarers to operate vessels as per international conventions and treaties. They will make use of the Academy’s capabilities in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) to build a smart and advanced system of sensors that monitor all the indicators to get a comprehensive picture of the state of the marine environment in the UAE. This will support efforts to develop blue economy and environmental sustainability.

Commenting on the signing the MoU, Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Executive Director of Dubai Maritime City Authority, said, “At Dubai Maritime City Authority, we work in line with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to improve the competitiveness, attractiveness and capacity of the maritime sector as well as enhance the global leading position of Dubai and the UAE. This is achieved according to a methodology based on developing regulations, legislatives and initiatives that support government efforts to create a vibrant and safe maritime sector in Dubai, as well as consolidate its position as an attractive environment for prominent international maritime companies in order to support the blue economy. To achieve these goals, we cooperate with public and private sector partners who share the same vision with us. We cooperate with the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, as a knowledge partner in education, training and research and development in the maritime sector, given its extensive expertise in this area. As one of the most prominent maritime academic institutions in the region, it provides Arab economies with the best competencies in maritime scientific and academic research.”

He added, “Here comes our complementary part, which we call blue jobs, to prepare the largest possible number of Emirati professionals in the maritime sector to lead this vital sector and empower it as a key contributor to the economy, with a special focus on graduating women professionals. The maritime sector needs creative women’ capabilities as they will give new dimensions to professional performance, accelerating blue economy development.”

Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar Ismail Farag, President of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, said, “In line with our vision to prepare Emiratis to lead the UAE’s maritime sector, we cooperate with leading maritime organisations such as the Dubai Maritime City Authority. DMCA plays a significant role in enhancing Dubai’s global leadership in the maritime sector by keeping pace with the latest developments in maritime training and research and development in this key sector. We are pleased to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with Dubai Maritime City Authority. Our cooperation in training and research and development will provide the national maritime economy with competencies and capabilities that support investments in the maritime sector. This is in line with the role of AASTS as a house of expertise in education and training for maritime organisations in the Arab region. We have an extensive expertise in designing educational and training courses based on the needs of our partners, making use of the Academy’s advanced capabilities and specialised staff who graduated many leaders in the maritime sector across the Arab World according to the highest international standards.”

Abdel Ghaffar added, “Recognising the importance of research and development as a starting point towards developing the blue economy, we have strategic partnerships with major academic and research institutions in the European Union, in addition to our national partnerships in the UAE. Through these partnerships, we seek to strengthen the maritime sector and prepare the largest number of qualified Emiratis in the maritime sector to lead this vital sector which is a major contributor to supporting the economy. This is achieved by developing more smart solutions and applications that consolidates our position as an incubator of innovation and digital economy.”

According to the MoU, DMCA and AASTS will cooperate in maritime education, training and studies in maritime safety, providing research studies in marine accidents and protecting the marine environment, in addition to providing training opportunities to train staff to use advanced technologies, especially artificial intelligence.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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Donaire shines brightly in night of fireworks

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Philippine Star

Joaquin Henson – The Philippine Star December 13, 2021 | 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — WBC bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire, Jr. didn’t hold back in facing countryman Reymart Gaballo and used his vaunted left hook, this time to the body, to retain his crown on a spectacular fourth round knockout at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson City, Los Angeles County, Saturday night (yesterday afternoon, Manila time). Donaire, 39, took care of business in typical workmanlike fashion even as Gaballo stood his ground in the early going. The challenger, who was only four years old when Donaire tu… Continue reading “Donaire shines brightly in night of fireworks”

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Dubai CrossFit Championship set to return in December with participation of 40 of world’s biggest CrossFit stars

DUBAI, The Dubai CrossFit Championship, one of the most anticipated events in the international sports calendar, is set to take place from 16 to 18 December at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.

Supported by the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), this year’s Dubai CrossFit Championship will bring 40 of the world’s biggest CrossFit stars to Dubai for a three-day challenge that will offer more than AED1.3 million in prize money.

The holding of the championship, which is the first ever CrossFit sanctioned event in the world, reflects Dubai’s status as a premier destination for major international sporting events.

The 2021 edition of the Championship features the participation of 20 male and 20 female CrossFit athletes.

Since its inception, the Dubai CrossFit Championship has attracted athletes of the highest calibre and has been able to showcase Dubai’s fitness culture around the world.

Dubai CrossFit Championship is organised under the framework of Dubai Sports Council’s goal to promote health, happiness and fitness, both locally and internationally. The event will be one of more than 35 international sports events that will take place in Dubai during the six-month Expo 2020 Dubai period.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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Emirates Health Services to upgrade executive, financial regulations

DUBAI, The Emirates Health Services (EHS) has discussed mechanisms of upgrading its executive and financial regulations and ways to develop the capabilities of health cadres and proactive and integrated health services.

During the last meeting of the year at its headquarters in Dubai, the EHS board of directors discussed various ideas, suggestions and how to take healthcare services to new heights of excellence, in addition to reviewing the organisational and institutional work accomplished according to the approved operational plan, indicators and standards.

Chaired by Dr. Mohammed Salim Al Olama, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Health Services, the meeting was attended by Dr. Yousef Mohammed Al Serkal, Director-General of EHS, and other members of the Board.

The board members reviewed the agendas of the meeting as well as the latest developments and reports submitted by EHS departments to evaluate their performance and the achievements made to promote health services and keep pace with future global trends.

The meeting kicked off with Al Olama stressing the importance of updating strategies, plans, projects and constantly improving health care services, according to an ambitious vision based on solid scientific foundations to help the EHS deal with changes flexibly and proactively, move steadily towards new scopes of excellence and keep pace with the country’s plans for the next fifty years.

Al Olama emphasised that the EHS is pressing ahead with the wise government directives to build a health system based on partnerships and the latest advanced medical and treatment technologies. “We are making every effort to provide a conducive environment that stimulates scientific research, innovation, and attracts qualified health talents, while at the same time following an advanced methodology to implement effective governance,” he said.

For his part, Al Serkal highlighted the EHS keenness to keep abreast of the latest developments, technologies and digital systems to ensure the happiness of its customers and employees.

Al Serkal said that the meeting discussed different topics including ways to develop the work mechanism and how to improve the quality of healthcare services, in accordance with the best international practices. The meeting also discussed policies and challenges, and how to link the EHS plans with the UAE’s vision and strategy to enhance the quality of life in the UAE.

He stressed that over the next year, the EHS will work tirelessly to achieve five key targets including providing a healthy and active society, leadership in the health sector, establishing a digital treatment system, moving to a personal health care model, promoting mental health and developing a preventive health system capable of monitoring and predicting diseases and epidemics.

The EHS vision aims to achieve excellence and leadership in the provision of health services, while its mission aspires to provide sustainable, integrated, available, effective, innovative and high-quality health services that keep pace with the UAE vision and international standards.

Source: Emirates News Agency