DUBAI, 29th May, 2023 (WAM) — The 2nd Energy Storage Forum revealed that hydrogen momentum continues to accelerate with more than 1,000 projects announced globally.

The announced projects represent USD 320 billion investments through 2030. While renewable generation is projected to reach 80 per cent of the global energy mix by 2050, this will require annual investments in energy supply and production of circa $1.5 trillion by 2035.
Held under the theme ‘Driving Energy Transition Pathways Towards COP28’ and jointly organised by the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) and the independent non-profit energy research and development organisation EPRI, the forum urged financial institutions worldwide to invest in energy storage technologies that support green and renewable energy sources, with a particular emphasis on hydrogen storage.
The forum that commenced with a welcome note by Ahmed Al-Ebrahim, CEO of the GCC Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) and an opening speech by EPRI President and CEO Arshad Mansoor.
Al-Ebrahim highlighted that the successful integration of renewable energy into existing power grids requires efficient and reliable energy storage solutions.
“Energy storage technologies play a pivotal role in addressing the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources, enabling a stable and continuous supply of power,” Al-Ebrahim added. “By investing in these technologies, financial institutions can actively contribute to the global effort to combat climate change and foster a sustainable future.”
One of the most promising energy storage solutions is hydrogen storage that has gained significant attention as a clean and versatile fuel, capable of generating power through fuel cells and providing storage for excess renewable energy.
“The Storage Energy Forum firmly believes that financial institutions have a unique opportunity to become leaders in sustainable investment by supporting energy storage technologies. By allocating resources and capital to these projects, they can drive innovation, accelerate the deployment of clean energy solutions, and pave the way for a greener and more resilient future,” said Al-Ebrahim.
The forum also witnessed several panel discussions focusing on the advancement of regulatory frameworks and incentives to support the energy transition.
Experts participating in the forum said that green financing in the Middle East and worldwide has seen exponential growth.

They emphasised on the role of hydrogen in a decarbonised economy.
The forum also highlighted the challenges of scaling up the hydrogen supply chain and sharing international experiences in hydrogen projects development.
Furthermore, keynote sessions focused on the progress and future plans of energy storage installations to support a sustainable power system and the role of smart technologies and the necessity of intelligent risk and insurance solutions.
The specialised forum welcomed collaborations with financial institutions, governments, and other stakeholders to explore opportunities, share knowledge, and develop partnerships that advance the adoption of energy storage technologies.
The three-day forum offered insightful and interactive panel discussions and technical workshops on the fundamentals driving the energy transition and energy storage.

Moreover, it provided a unique opportunity for international participants to network and build partnerships with industry leaders, like-minded peers, and other stakeholders in the energy sector.

SHARJAH, 29th May, 2023 (WAM) — H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, witnessed on Monday, the inauguration of the 4th Arab Forum for Cultural Heritage (2023), organised by The Regional Office for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage (ICCROM-Sharjah), in cooperation with the Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO) and Sharjah Institute for Heritage, at ICCROM's headquarters' in University City.
Dr. Zaki Aslan, Director of ICCROM – Sharjah, pointed to the importance of preserving urban heritage in the Arab world, stressing that the forum is theme mainly focuses on the needs of the current stage and the countries' goals and priorities that fall into sustainable development 2030.
He pointed out that the forum coincides with the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the founding of the office, with the support and generous hosting of the Sharjah government, as the ICCROM-Sharjah office turned the office after its establishment over more than ten years into a reference institution for the protection, promotion, and preservation of the rich cultural heritage.

In his speech, Dr. John Robbins, Chair of the Executive Board of ICCROM, discussed the relationship between three essential concepts in cultural heritage. One of these concepts is very old, urbanism. At the same time, the other two, resilience, and community care for cultural heritage, are contemporary, and the conference highlights the urgent need to address the intersection of these three themes.
Dr. Mohamed Ould Omar, Director General of ALECSO, addressed in a speech that the forum's topic reflects the importance of the results reached by research and studies related to cultural heritage and awareness of various factors involved in it. Furthermore, it deals with one of the oldest concepts known to humanity in organising living and stability, which is urbanisation, and the theories, ideas, and approaches crystallised around it, on top of which is the approach that this forum addresses, which is the culture of urbanisation and the resilience of heritage .

Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam, President of the SIH, explained that the forum met with Sharjah's great efforts, stating that the forum embodies Sharjah's vision of preserving urban heritage.
Dr. Dina Assaf, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the United Arab Emirates, added that cultural heritage speaks out about peoples' identity and who we are as a human society, as the theme of the forum this year is a reminder that urbanisation is not just physical structures, but rather an embodiment that reflects identity, traditions, and ambition.

The forum focuses this year on five main axes: urbanisation, the importance of urbanisation in enhancing the role of society in the sustainability of cultural heritage, heritage as a tool for resilience, societal adjustment and culturally-based flexibility, and inclusion of cultural heritage in policies as a methodology for community cohesion, inclusivity, and equality.
The Fourth Arab Forum for Cultural Heritage sheds light on ways that enable society to preserve its cultural heritage in the face of threats.

It also discusses the role of the culture in the resilience and preservation of historical environments and how they cope during and after crises.

The forum will also discuss the concept of urbanisation, focusing on the societal dimension and adaptation stemming from local contexts, traditional knowledge, and others as tools for cultural heritage sustainability.

It will also serve as a platform to start interdisciplinary conversations on practices to increase the recovery of cultural heritage from conflict and climate change.

DUBAI, 29th May, 2023 (WAM) — Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) today announced the launch of a new QR Code initiative for Holiday Homes in Dubai, as part of efforts to improve transparency and increase confidence among investors and visitors in the short-term rental market.
Launched as part of Dubai's commitment to supporting the continuous growth of the hospitality industry, the initiative is closely aligned with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) to further consolidate Dubai's position as one of the top three global cities.

Additionally, the initiative is in line with Dubai's digital transformation strategy, which seeks to establish the emirate as a leading global smart city.
As part of the initiative, owners of Holiday Homes will now be required to display a QR code on the main entrances of their vacation properties in Dubai.

This code enables visitors and guests to conveniently scan it and access essential information about the operator of the Holiday Home and the relevant contact details for DET.

The initiative will also facilitate oversight and inspections conducted by the Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade, part of DET, ensuring strict compliance with procedures.
DET’s Dubai Business License Corporation will oversee the implementation of the QR Code project, which will further enhance the city’s diverse hospitality infrastructure catering to the varied preferences and budgets of international travellers.
Shaikha Al Mutawa, Director of Hospitality Affairs Department at Dubai’s Department of Economy & Tourism (DET) said: “As we continue to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the tourism industry, we recognise the importance of innovation and technology in further bolstering Dubai’s image as a must-visit destination. To ensure the effective governance of the Holiday Homes segment, we are introducing QR codes, as a part of the ongoing digital transformation process across customer and visitor touchpoints in the city. It is also a testament to our commitment to providing exceptional experiences for our guests in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the best city to visit, live in and work. We are also continuously taking steps to offer flexible and multiple options year-round in the short-term rental market, thereby strengthening confidence among investors and potential guests.”
According to DET data, the Holiday Homes segment has registered excellent growth, reaching 21,132 units (+45.5% YoY), with 32,794 rooms (+40.7 % YoY) by the end of March 2023, compared to the same period in 2022 (14,518 units and 23,299 rooms). Additionally, Holiday Homes hosted 137,144 guests in Q1 2023.
Dubai’s Holiday Homes features a diverse range of residential units, including studios, apartments, and villas in gated communities, as well as properties in farms located in the Hatta area, providing privacy and ample space for families as well as a unique vacation opportunity for guests that transcends traditional hospitality experiences.
The Dubai Business Licence Corporation (DBLC) offers licences and permits for licensed establishments to manage and document their activities based on the Holiday Homes classification system.

Dubai’s Holiday Homes market undergoes a rigorous classification process, periodically categorised into tourist and luxury units and villas, based on the conditions set by DET, which conducts inspections to ensure that the units meet the approved classification criteria.

Detailed information can be found by accessing a guide for operating vacation homes, available on DET’s website for Holiday Homes at https://hh.dtcm.gov.ae/holidayhomes/Welcome.aspx.

The guide is updated regularly to align with updates in the sector and as per the needs of stakeholders.
The Department also addresses complaints and disputes, offering solutions in a timely manner via ecomplaints@dubaitourism.ae. Non-compliance with the Holiday Home standards, rules and requirements will result in warnings for violators, and if there is any recurrence in violations it could lead to the imposition of penalties on the operator. The Department will also not issue a classification certificate to the Holiday Homes property unless all specified conditions, specifications, requirements, and technical equipment are met.

For updates, procedures, and instructions on Holiday Homes, visit https://www.dubaitourism.gov.ae/en/legislative-news/holiday-homes-regulation-guide-2022