Emirates

BBC highlights UAE’s ‘resilience’ against COVID-19

ABU DHABI, 6th January, 2022 (WAM) — BBC Travel, a designated BBC portal for travel stories, has praised on Thursday the UAE’s "resilience" during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

"Even as the Omicron variant has parts of Europe on lockdown again, the UAE has managed, so far, to stay open to most travellers while keeping infections low," said the report headlined "Why is this country so resilient?"

"Throughout the pandemic, the United Arab Emirates has been one of the most resilient in the face of changing Covid variants, with the world's highest vaccination rate and extensive, affordable testing," the report added.

"In fact, the UAE is currently ranked number one in Bloomberg's Covid Resilience ranking, which ranks 53 countries on 12 indicators like healthcare quality, virus mortality and reopening travel.

"Dubai has also transformed itself from a global tourism hub into one more invested in its own community.

"The weather is perfect right now. ‘October to May is the best time of the year to visit because it's not excruciatingly hot anymore,’ said a Dubai resident Tala Mohamad. That also has meant the return of outdoor events and activities and leisurely evenings spent on the city's numerous patio and rooftop seaside lounges.

"The city is also hosting Expo 2020 until the end of March 2022, a global six-month event featuring pavilions from all over the world, showcasing unique innovations and futuristic projects."

The BBC went on to say that "Dubai has worked diligently over the past decade to become more sustainable, with major investments in solar energy, water conservation and green building and infrastructure. Expo 2020 is also hosting a Sustainability Pavilion, showcasing projects like solar trees that provide shade while creating energy and a huge vertical farm growing 9,000 plants and herbs."

It continued, "Currently, travel is open to vaccinated tourists with a WHO-approved vaccine, though visitors must undergo a rapid test on arrival.

"Unvaccinated travellers must provide a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure. Travel is currently suspended for those coming from or transiting through certain African countries.

"Travellers must download the Al Hosni app, the UAE's official contact tracing and health status app, which uses a colour-coded system – grey, red, green – to reflect test results and vaccination status.

"The Dubai Health Authority offers the DXB Smart app, available for Android and iOS, which gives visitors real-time information about UAE's current Covid rates, tracks test results and exposures, and is used to show vaccination status within the emirate."

WAM/ Ibrahim Shukralla

Emirates

UAE Non-Resident Ambassador presents credentials to Governor-General of Papua New Guinea

PORT MORESBY, 26th September, 2023 (WAM) — Jamal Al Suwaidi, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Singapore, presented his credentials as UAE Non-Resident Ambassador to Papua New Guinea to Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae, Governor-General of Papua New Guinea, during a ceremony held at Government House in the capital, Port Moresby.

During the meeting, Al Suwaidi conveyed to the Governor-General Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, as well as their wishes for further progress and prosperity for the government and people of Papua New Guinea.

For his part, Governor-General Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae conveyed his greetings to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, and expressed his wishes for further growth and prosperity for the government and people of the UAE.

Governor-General Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae wished Al Suwaidi success in his work to strengthen bilateral relations in various fields, stressing his country's readiness to provide all possible support to facilitate his duties.

For his part, Al Suwaidi expressed his pride in representing the United Arab Emirates in Papua New Guinea and his keenness to enhance and activate bilateral relations in various fields to serve the interests of the two countries.

Emirates

Arab Media Forum kicks off in Dubai

DUBAI, 26th September, 2023 (WAM) — The 21st edition of the Arab Media Forum began today at the Madinat Jumeirah.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the two-day event will bring together over 3,000 distinguished attendees including influential media personalities, ministers and heads of leading local, Arab and international media organisations, as well as thought leaders, intellectuals and writers.

The Forum will witness over 75 sessions featuring 130 speakers and the participation of 160 media organisations to explore cutting-edge media trends and discuss a new vision for charting a bright future for the Arab world’s media.

Emirates

UAE Foreign Minister, Indian counterpart discuss comprehensive strategic partnership in New York

NEW YORK, 26th September, 2023 (WAM) — H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has met with Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India, on the sidelines of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) in New York.

The meeting touched on the historical friendship relations, the comprehensive strategic partnership between the UAE and India, and the means to further develop cooperation as part of the two countries' strategic partnership.

The UAE Foreign Minister and his Indian counterpart also reviewed the issue of climate change and bilateral cooperation in this regard, with the UAE hosting the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) this year in Expo City Dubai.

Sheikh Abdullah stressed that the UAE and India are keen to support multilateral international action to find effective solutions to all challenges and build fruitful and constructive partnerships that benefit humanity.

He pointed out that the two friendly countries have been linked to a comprehensive strategic partnership since 2017 and a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement since 2022, enabling them to accomplish many development achievements for their people. Sheikh Abdullah stressed that COP28 represents a great opportunity to highlight this exceptional UAE-India ties and the significance of international cooperation in facing all pressing challenges.

The meeting was attended by Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs and UAE's Permanent Representative to the United Nation.