Emirates

Global parliamentary solidarity for vaccine equity in fight against COVID-19

MADRID, 30th November, 2021 (WAM) — At the 143rd IPU Assembly in Madrid, Spain, parliamentarians from around the world have rallied around an emergency resolution to support equitable access to vaccines, particularly in the developing world.

Against the backdrop of the emergence of the omicron variant and renewed border closures, IPU Member Parliaments unanimously backed the IPU African Group’s proposal: Harnessing global parliamentary support for vaccine equity in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The resolution calls on the international community to ensure "timely, equitable and universal access to safe, affordable, quality and effective vaccines." It recognizes that "extensive COVID-19 immunization is a global public good". The resolution also underlines the importance of vaccine equity and calls for national and global access to essential vaccines according to risk and needs.

In the discussion, parliamentarians pointed to "a clear schism" between Africa and the rest of the world in the global roll-out of vaccines. According to the World Bank and the World Health Organization, under 2 per cent of people living in Africa’s low-income countries have been fully vaccinated and under 10 per cent in lower middle-income countries. In comparison, over 60 per cent of the population in advanced economies is vaccinated.

Hundreds of MPs from 117 countries, including 44 Speakers of Parliament, attended the first in-person IPU Assembly since 2019. Hosted by the Cortes Generales, the parliament of Spain, from 26 to 30 November 2021, the 143rd IPU Assembly was the fourth time Spain has hosted an IPU Assembly.

Emirates

Two intact embalming workshops unearthed in Egypt

CAIRO, 27th May, 2023 (WAM) – Two embalming workshops dedicated to humans and animals, the largest and most complete found as yet, have been discovered in the Saqqara Necropolis, Greater Cairo, the Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Issa, told reporters.

In a related development, an archaeological mission, led by Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri, unearthed two tombs from different historical periods, along with a significant collection of artifacts.

The embalming workshops date back to the 30th Dynasty (380-343 BC) and the Ptolemaic period (305-30 BC), while the two tombs belong to the Old and New Kingdoms, according to Waziri.

The human embalming workshop is a rectangular building with multiple rooms containing stone beds measuring two metres long and 50 cm. These beds were used for the mummification of the deceased. They were covered with plaster and featured gutters. Among the artifacts found within the workshop were clay pots, tools and ritual vessels used for mummification.

Emirates

Mohammed bin Rashid receives greetings of Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Crown Prince of Sharjah on Al Maktoum wedding

DUBAI, 27th May, 2023 (WAM) — His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, received the greetings of H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, on the occasion of the wedding of Mane', son of Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid bin Mane' Al Maktoum, to the daughter of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, at a reception held today at the Za'beel Hall of the Dubai World Trade Center.

Attending the reception also were Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, the Chairman of the Dubai Media Incorporated, and a number of sheikhs, ministers, dignitaries and senior state officials.

Emirates

Mohammed bin Rashid receives greetings of Mansour bin Zayed, Khaled bin Mohamed, on Al Maktoum wedding

DUBAI, 27th May, 2023 (WAM) — His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai received the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, and H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, on the occasion of the wedding of Mane', son of Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid bin Mane' Al Maktoum, to the daughter of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed received the wedding greetings in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, at a reception that was held today at the Za'beel Hall of the Dubai World Trade Center.

The reception was attended by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, along with and a number of sheikhs, ministers, dignitaries and senior state officials.