ABU DHABI, 22nd March, 2023 (WAM) — The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) of the Department of Municipalities and Transport in Abu Dhabi announced the working hours of its Customer Happiness Centres, as well as the timings of MAWAQiF paid parking service, Darb Toll Gate System, and public buses schedule during the holy month of Ramadan 1444 Hijri (2023), for the purpose of keeping the public up-to-date on its operations and services.

Customer Happiness Centres

The ITC said that Customer Happiness Centres in Abu Dhabi City Municipality and Al Ain City Municipality will be receiving customers during the holy month of Ramadan from Monday to Thursday from 09:00 to 15:00, and on Friday from 09:00 to 12:00.

Furthermore, customers may continue to apply for ITC’s services online using ITC’s website: www.itc.gov.ae, Darbi and Darb websites and apps, and through “TAMM" platform for digital government services in Abu Dhabi. Additionally, customers may contact the unified Service Support Centre of the Department of Municipalities and Transport on 800850 or Taxi Call Centre: 600535353 to request services 24/7.

MAWAQIF Service, Darb Toll Gate

MAWAQiF parking fees will be applied during Ramadan as per the current timing from Monday to Saturday, from 08:00 to 24:00, and will be free of charge on Sundays.

The peak hours of the Darb toll gate system will be modified during Ramadan to start from 08:00 to 10:00 in the morning period, and from 14:00 to 16:00 in the evening period. The toll charges will be applied from Monday to Saturday, and will be free of charge on Sundays.

Public Buses Services

Public bus services will be available during the month of Ramadan in the city of Abu Dhabi and its suburbs throughout the week. The services will start operating in the city of Abu Dhabi starting from 05:00 and 06:00, and will last until 01:00. As for Abu Dhabi’s suburbs, the services will start operating from 06:00 until 22:00. Additionally, there will be a slight change in the frequency of some services provided.

As for the city of Al Ain, the public bus services during Ramadan will operate from 07:00 until 02:00. As for its suburbs, the services will be provided from 06:00 until 23:00, while some services will operate until 24:00. The majority of the suburban public bus services will remain unchanged, with a slight change in the frequency of a few services in the city of Al Ain.

The public bus service at Al Dhafrah during Ramadan will operate at the current service hours with minimal changes. The Public Bus Service will not be operational during Iftar time.

As for the Abu Dhabi Express services, the service will operate from 06:00 to 23:00 during weekdays and from 06:00 AM to 01:00 during weekends.

Finally, the on-demand bus “Abu Dhabi Link” service will be available from 06:00 to 23:00 throughout the week.

For further details about bus and public transport timings, please visit www.itc.gov.ae or contact the Service Support Centre of the Department of Municipalities and Transport on its toll-free number: 800850 or use the “Darbi” application.

ABU DHABI, 22nd March, 2023 (WAM) — At the conclusion of the Copenhagen Climate Ministerial, Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President-Designate, urged global climate ministers to unite behind "transformational progress" for a COP of Action and a COP for All.

Dr. Al Jaber joined Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs, COP27 President and Foreign Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt, to co-chair the Copenhagen Climate Ministerial in Denmark – the first official meeting of climate leaders and ministers from around the world since COP27.

The event, which was hosted by the Danish government, also saw Dr. Al Jaber hold a series of one-to-one meetings with climate leaders, where he drove forward his agenda to secure commitment to an inclusive COP of Action and urged leaders to deliver "transformational progress" to keep 1.5 degrees alive.

The meeting was attended by climate ministers and senior government representatives from developed and developing countries including France, Japan, the Maldives, Samoa, the UK and USA. The Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, Simon Stiell and Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Climate Action and Just Transition, Selwin Hart, were also in attendance.

During the two-day event, Dr. Al Jaber worked with Sameh Shoukry and Dan Jørgensen, Danish Minister of Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy, to lead efforts to deliver on the meeting's aim of securing the implementation of the results of COP27 while also setting the course ahead towards COP28 in the UAE later this year.

In his remarks, Dr. Al Jaber reminded ministers and climate leaders of the approaching Global Stocktake at COP28 and urged them to take action across a range of key areas to bring 1.5C within reach.

He said, " Yesterday’s IPCC report highlighted the significant challenges ahead and the urgent need to course correct if we are to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. But more importantly, the report identifies the opportunities and solutions that are available to reduce emissions and enhance resilience.”

Dr. Al Jaber emphasised the need to accelerate pathways to net zero by rapidly adopting renewable and zero carbon energies, decarbonizing the current energy system and investing in proven and new mitigation technologies. He said: “We have a short window of opportunity to deliver a system-wide transformation. But if we make the right investments, we can create a pathway for sustainable growth, where climate and economic progress go hand-in-hand.”

He also spoke about finance being the critical success factor across all pillars, saying, “We need to double adaptation finance by 2025 and we need a strong outcome on loss and damage this year, with clear recommendations from the transitional committee on the fund and funding arrangement.” Dr. Sultan in his closing remarks underscored the need to explore all networks to ensure the fund is fully operationalized by COP28.

While at the Copenhagen Climate Ministerial, Dr. Al Jaber played a key role in leading and facilitating a series of high-level plenaries and discussions. He also met with a range of climate minsters and leaders as well as representatives from the climate sector including Zhao Yingmin, Vice Minister for China; Collins Nzovu, Minister of Zambia; Grace Fu, Minister of Environment for Singapore and Jennifer Morgan, State Secretary of Germany. Throughout all discussions, he emphasized the need for climate action and an ambitious COP28.

In concluding the visit, Dr Al. Jaber thanked ministers and climate leaders and welcomed their support for an accelerated energy transition, enabled by an inclusive approach that empowers private sector partners.

Ambassador Majid, Director-General of COP28, accompanied Dr. Al Jaber to Copenhagen, leading a roundtable with CEOs and business executives from Danish industry spanning renewable energy, heavy industry and transport, water systems, and energy innovation. In the meeting, Ambassador Majid linked COP28 to the real economy and discussed key components of the COP28 strategy, namely the Global Stocktake, the energy transition and partnership with the private sector in climate action.

Copenhagen was the latest destination in the COP28 Presidency's global listening tour – a series of international visits to meet with, and hear the views of, a range of partners across government, civil society, youth, the private sector and representatives of international organizations and NGOs. To date, Dr. Al Jaber and members of the COP28 leadership team have visited India, the UK, Germany, France and the US. Additional meetings are scheduled for both developed and developing countries.

DUBAI, 22nd March, 2023 (WAM) – The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) partnered with the Emirates Marine Environmental Group to organise a campaign to plant 5,500 mangrove trees in the Jebel Ali Marine Reserve. The initiative aims to promote the preservation of natural resources and support national goals to sustain mangrove forests by planting 100 million mangrove trees in the UAE by 2030. DEWA also recognises the vital role of mangrove trees in preserving biodiversity, especially in the marine ecosystem.

The campaign involved the participation of about 350 DEWA employees and their families, as well as employees from some of DEWA's subsidiaries. DEWA also created an awareness campaign to highlight the importance of sustainability and ways individuals and organizations can support sustainability efforts. The campaign focused on enhancing water use efficiency and limiting waste, and also introduced stakeholders to DEWA's achievements and strategies that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

DEWA's awareness campaign included publishing tips and instructions for adopting a conscious and sustainable lifestyle through its internal channels and social media platforms. The organization also held competitions to motivate employees and customers to contribute to achieving sustainable development.

To raise awareness among students and faculty members, DEWA held virtual lectures about their role in supporting national and global efforts towards climate action by adopting positive behavior at home and work. Additionally, DEWA organized awareness activities at Global Village, introducing children to World Water Day with their cartoon characters, Noor and Hayat.

Overall, DEWA's campaign and awareness efforts serve as a great example of the importance of engaging all stakeholders in preserving natural resources and promoting sustainable development, in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, said, “We strive to achieve sustainability through initiatives aimed at protecting the environment and wildlife, and fulfilling our commitments to meet the growing demand for electricity and water services according to the highest standards of availability, reliability, efficiency and sustainability. This is part of our vision to become a globally leading sustainable innovative corporation committed to achieving Net-Zero by 2050.

“We also strengthen our participation in finding innovative solutions to the challenges facing the region and the world to ensure water security and the sustainability of water resources for our future generations, and raise awareness about water issues, and the importance of concerted efforts to enhance climate action, reduce carbon footprint, and preserve natural and water resources. Implementing the Dubai Demand Side Management Strategy reduced water consumption by 21% per capita compared to 2010. This contributed to avoiding over 14 million tonnes of CO2 emissions in between 2011 and 2021.”