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Emirates

UAE demonstrates its maritime contributions and competencies at IMO

DUBAI, 7th December, 2021 (WAM) — Presenting its profile for category B candidacy in the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council at the organisation’s focus group in London, the UAE’s delegation has displayed very powerful contributions made to the sector over the years, that have influenced the industry globally.

Boasting a rich maritime history, and a coastline of 1,650 kilometres, the UAE’s strategic location at the crossroads of global shipping routes has enabled it to become a central maritime hub in the world. Besides its natural endowments, the country has strived to achieve continuous development in the maritime industry, which is a key pillar of its national economy, contributing more than AED 90 billion to its GDP.

Hassan Mohamed Juma Al Mansoori, Under-Secretary of the Infrastructure and Transport Sector at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, said, "We are proud of our achievements made over the years. The UAE’s practices, decisions and legislations have helped develop the maritime sector, enhanced its safety standards, and contributed to protecting the marine environment globally. The UAE was ranked 3rd globally in transport services trade and in Bunker Supply Index. It ranked fifth globally as a key competitive maritime hub. The UAE’s ports rank among the top 10 internationally in the volume of container handling."

He added, "With the announcement of the Projects of the 50, we are setting our targets even higher. Through our re-election to the IMO council, we aim to work with member states to advance the global maritime sector and the shipping industry through a collective contribution to the IMO’s mission of achieving the safety, security and efficiency of maritime transport in clean oceans."

As a centre for maritime excellence, the UAE has always capitalised on the sector’s success to empower economic prosperity. With its impeccable and well-balanced approach in dealing with maritime issues as a flag, port and coastal state, the UAE has become one of the most prominent countries supporting the IMO. It was first elected as a permanent member of the council under category B in 2017 and has maintained this status since.

The UAE’s seaborne trade and transshipment efforts cater to about two billion people from China, India, and the Gulf States to Eurasia and all the way to Eastern Europe. The UAE is committed to upholding its responsibility in establishing a sustainable platform for sharing knowledge and expertise among maritime nations and administrations on best practices.

Besides developing the sector from a strategic point of view, the UAE has gone the extra mile to ensure the rights of seafarers and empower more females to take active part in the industry.

Hessa Al Malek, Advisor to the Minister for Maritime Transport Affairs, UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure said, "As a signatory of the MLC convention, the UAE takes proactive measures to safeguard the interests of seafarers, aiming to improve the quality of life for seafarers. We were one of the first IMO Member States to designate seafarers as key workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and supported seafarers by facilitating safe ship crew change, administering vaccinations, and providing them access to medical care."

Al Malek further added, "We have also been strongly championing women’s rights in the maritime sector. The UAE is currently chairing the Arab Women in the Maritime Association (AWIMA), which is working with the IMO’s Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP) to support women in the maritime sector to achieve the fifth UN Sustainable Development Goal of establishing gender equality. It is also one of the founding members of the IMOGENder, a network of IMO delegates working to achieve gender equality."

Mohammed Khamis Al Kaabi, UAE Permanent Representative at the IMO, said, "Through its membership in the International Maritime Organisation, the UAE seeks to continue contributing to developing strategies, policies, agreements and setting standards regulating the maritime sector. The UAE is a very active contributor to the IMO’s activities through its positive and effective engagement and participation in all the works of the Assembly, Council, main technical committees, sub-committees, and related working groups."

The UAE is a founding member of the Riyadh Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to achieve safe, secure and efficient shipping in the maritime jurisdictions in the Arabian Gulf. Being a flag state, the UAE ranks 21st worldwide in terms of fleet size. It has more than 20 major ports spread across from Fujairah in the East to Abu Dhabi in Southwest on the UAE coast.

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Emirates

Intermobility Expo 2023 Kicks Off with Grand Opening by H.E. Mattar Al Tayer

Informa Connect, the global leader for events in the Middle East region has successfully
concluded the day one of the most awaited events of its calendar, the Intermobility Expo
2023 started on 21 st November at World Trade Center, Dubai.
The 22 nd edition of the Intermobility Expo 2023, which was known as the Gulf Traffic, the
largest Intelligent Transport and Future Mobility Summit of the Middle East, Turkey, and
Africa was officially launched by H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of
the Board of Executive Directors at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), at an exciting
opening ceremony in the presence of industrial experts and government delegates.
On day one of the largest transport expo, key players in the Middle Easts transport industry
came together to discuss how new technological advancements that can be leveraged to
address road hazards and enhance safety, which is a critical factor in managing dynamic cities
in the GCC and beyond. Enriching discussions on topics like Driving Change: Governments
Role in Mobility, underscoring the vital influence of the government in molding the
trajectory of mobility, saw enhanced participation from the attendees.
H.E. Sheikh Nasser Majid Al Qasimi, Assistant Undersecretary of the Infrastructure
and Transport Regulation Sector at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, also
graced the occasion with his esteemed presence and commended the UAEs unwavering
dedication to reimagining transportation. He highlights, “;The country envisions a smart and
interconnected transport system, integrating advanced technologies, autonomous vehicles,
smart infrastructure, and a strong emphasis on green mobility, as showcased by the Global
Market for Electric Vehicles initiative. Recognizing the strategic importance of an integrated
transport system for economic growth, social harmony, and environmental sustainability, the
UAE stands as a global leader in adopting ambitious initiatives.”

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Emirates

Dulsco Group and clients root for climate change action in mangrove tree plantation drive

Dulsco Group has reinforced its commitment to spearheading
and supporting environmental initiatives by bringing together 100 team members from its
portfolio of businesses comprising Dulsco Environment, Dulsco People, Parisima and
Advance Global Recruitment, and corporate clients like BRF, ENOC Link and Fischer to
plant 300 mangrove trees to help in the fight against climate change.
Part of Dulsco Group’s sustainability agenda in the run up to COP28, the event was held to
support the UAE National Carbon Sequestration Project, which Dulsco proudly signed up for
in 2023. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment project aims to plant 100 million
new mangrove trees across the country by 2030.

Each participant in the Dulsco drive planted three trees at Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary, run
by the Emirates Marine Environmental Group (EMEG). And, thanks to new technology and
virtual reality, the trees’ progress and contribution to carbon savings can be monitored
through the EcoMatcher app, which promotes transparency and traceability in tree planting.

Mangrove trees play a key role in conservation, by stabilising and protecting coastlines,
preventing erosion, supporting wildlife within the ecosystem and serving as a habitat for
thousands of species. They also reduce harmful greenhouse gases by isolating up to 13.6
kg of carbon each year. This means that the 300 trees planted on 16 November – and the
120 planted by Dulsco last year – will collectively capture 5,712 kg of carbon dioxide
annually.

The UAE is currently home to 60 million mangrove trees that span 183 sq km and capture
43,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. An additional 100 million trees will mean
115,000 tons of CO2 will be sequestered every year.

John Grainger, Chief Operating Officer at Dulsco Environment, said: “As a leading
force in environmental solutions, Dulsco is proud to support initiatives that preserve and
enhance our planet. Following our first mangrove tree planting initiative with our
employees last year, we made this year’s event bigger and better by bringing together our
valued team members and clients across our businesses as one, reinforcing our joint
commitment to creating a better future for our people and the world we live in.

“The EMEG does a wonderful job in protecting marine life at Jebel Ali, and we are delighted
to play our part in enhancing the sanctuary’s natural eco-system and biodiversity.”

Dulsco’s tree planting initiative also included a beach clean-up drive that resulted in
collecting 1,246 kilos of waste, in line with the company’s continued commitment to
protecting the environment and encouraging more green thinking among team members, key
stakeholders and the public.

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Emirates

UAE President issues federal decree appointing Under- Secretary of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, For Emiratisation

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahya ,

the President of UAE, issued a Federal
Decree appointing H.E. Aisha Mohamed Ahmed Belharfia, as Under-
Secretary of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, For
Emiratisation. Belharfia served previously as Acting Under-Secretary for Emiratisation
Affairs and Assistant Under-Secretary for Labour Affairs at MOHRE.
She also taken responsibilities related to Labour offices and licenses,
and contributed to the development of laws and legislation regulating
the Labour sector. Belharfia launched various projects and initiatives
aimed at raising the efficiency of the Labour market.

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