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Emirates

UAE Government and ICAO launch ‘Global Accelerator Ambassador’ programme

MONTREAL, 15th May, 2023 (WAM) — Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future, has affirmed the UAE’s keenness to enhance and strengthen global partnerships with international organisations and bodies, especially the partnership with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which contributes effectively to the development of the aviation sector globally, and to invest in future work models aiming to boost the aviation industry's readiness for the future.

This came during Al Roumi's speech at the ICAO Council 229th Session at the organisation's headquarters in Montreal, Canada, where she announced the launch of the Global Accelerator Ambassador Programme, which aims to empower the organisation's leadership with accelerators tools and methodology to support ICAO's transformational vision towards the future.

Among the attendees during the session were Salvatore Sciacchitano, President of the ICAO Council; Juan Carlos Salazar, Secretary-General of the Organisation; members of the ICAO Council, directors of its regional offices and a number of officials.

Al Roumi stated, “The Global Accelerator Ambassador Programme embodies the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Ruler of Dubai, as part of the UAE government’s duty to strengthen international cooperation and empower leaders to drive readiness towards the creation of the common future globally, and more sustainable opportunities for future generations.”

She added that the accelerators will bring together partners and relevant sectors within a common vision to find practical solutions to tackle challenges in the aviation industry, implement new innovative programmes and initiatives, and design regulatory policies that achieve tangible results for ambitious goals in record time.

Al Roumi continued, “The future of the aviation industry is undergoing tremendous disruptions, most notably digital transformation. Over the past five years, global investment in digitalisation has doubled from $1 trillion in 2018 to $2 trillion this year, driving the evolution of technology faster than expected. Spending on digital technologies and services is expected to reach $3.5 trillion by 2026.”

The minister emphasised the importance of sustainability in the aviation industry by employing cutting-edge technologies such as green technology and ultra-light materials, providing new opportunities for the sector to do more with less, noting that the aviation sector will continue to grow at a rate of 4.3% annually over the next 20 years.

“The future directions of the aviation industry reflect the need to design future work models that are more suitable for the future in light of a world facing rapid changes such as climate change, pandemics, cyber challenges, and economic complexity. To proactively prepare for these disruptions, international organisations, including ICAO, must play a pivotal role in co-creating the future with greater agility, creativity, and empathy, " she added.

Al Roumi also commended the member states of ICAO for choosing the UAE to host the Third ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF3), which is being held in conjunction with the UAE's hosting of the COP28 Conference. She affirmed that the UAE has an integrated vision to enhance the sustainability of the aviation sector, as it adopted the Net-Zero Aviation Goal to be the first country in the region to become climate neutral.

“Designing the future is a fundamental pillar in the UAE government work. In 2016, Government Accelerators were launched to rethink the work mechanisms of government entities by introducing a unique business model based on accelerating results, enhancing cooperation and stimulating innovation. Over six years, Government Accelerators have received more than 3,000 employees from the UAE government and private sectors, who were able to find innovative solutions to more than 60 challenges in various sectors within 100 days,” she stated.

The minister highlighted the UAE's keenness to share its experiences and knowledge globally, to benefit from it in developing their businesses and increasing the efficiency of their operations and services. The UAE government successfully exchanged experiences and best practices with 30 governments and international organisations through the Government Experience Exchange Programme. The Government Accelerators has also been established in three countries and is an international organisation aiming to lead the way in delivering impact and achieving strategic goals.

She shed light in her speech on the UAE’s leadership, which succeeded in solidifying its status as the most competitive country amongst Arab countries, as the economy witnessed a growth of more than 6% in 2022 despite the Covid-19 pandemic, while growing at its fastest rate in more than a decade. Trade also grew by 19% and the UAE retained its leading position as the region's top foreign direct investment destination. The UAE also tops 156 global competitiveness indicators and is among the top 10 countries in 432 global indicators.

Sciacchitano, in turn, said, “The ICAO Council Is focused today on reviewing ICAO's working methods and processes to make them more efficient, while reinforcing the inclusive due diligence required for effective standardization. The insights being generously shared with us through the UAE's Global Accelerator Ambassador Programme are highly relevant to this work, and I am deeply grateful to Ohood Al Roumi for her personal commitment to raising our Member States' awareness of this important global initiative.”

“The UAE Accelerator Workshop is a model of best practice for future collaboration between Member States and the ICAO Secretariat. It importantly complements the ongoing Transformational Objective of ICAO, particularly our Digital Transformation, which is one of my highest priorities,” Salazar noted.

The Global Accelerator Ambassador Programme represents a new phase of the strategic partnership between the UAE government and international organisations. It is an international initiative to exchange experiences and knowledge, share the model of UAE Government Accelerators that has proven global success, and support efforts to spread the culture of government accelerators with various organisations to enable them to address challenges and achieve ambitious goals.

The program aims to build the capacities of international organisations’ staff, qualify them with the government accelerators methodology and enable them to work on developing transformational projects in their organisations, in addition to spreading the culture of accelerators within the organizations by building the capabilities of a generation of accelerator ambassadors.

The programme seeks to strengthen the UAE’s global leadership by enhancing awareness about the model and concepts of Government Accelerators. It represents a new platform for knowledge transfer and global capacity-building, as well as building and strengthening partnerships with international organizations and developing advanced frameworks for future cooperation.

Government Accelerators team at the Prime Minister's Office of the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, as part of the framework of the Ambassadors of Global Accelerators Programme, held intensive workshops for ICAO team in the presence of Sciacchitano, Salazar, members of the ICAO Council, directors of its regional offices and a number of officials.

The workshops reviewed the objectives of the partnership between the UAE government and the ICAO, the UAE's successful experience in developing Government Accelerators, the first of its kind in the world, the concept of accelerators, and the 100-day challenge methodology.

Brainstorming sessions were also held to design ideas and set challenges, in addition to intensive sessions to implement practical applications for the work stages of the accelerators, which include design, strategic planning, implementation, and setting the 100-day challenge plan and its related stages.

The UAE government signed an MoU and partnership with the ICAO, during the World Government Summit 2022, aiming to exchange best practices, knowledge and expertise in the aviation sector; hence, the UAE became the first country in the world to sign this agreement with the organisation since its establishment. Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the World Government Summit, signed the agreement with Sciacchitano.

The agreement focuses on accelerators and innovation in civil aviation, cyber security and development modules, while supporting the exchange of expertise which supports the global aviation sector.

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Emirates

World Free Zones Organization Launches its New Corporate Identity

The World Free Zones Organization (World FZO) has launched its new corporate identity, which coincided
with its 10th anniversary. The launch came during the 10 th World Free Zones Organization (World FZO) World Congress in Dubai held under the theme ‘Zones and the Shifting Global Economic Structures – Unlocking New Investment Avenues’, In conjunction with the launch of its new corporate identity, the World FZO announced its new vision, mission, and purpose. Its new vision focuses on driving global economic progress, sustainability, and inclusive growth through empowered free zones, setting the benchmark for economic advancement. As part of its new mission, the World FZO aims to engage with free zones from around the world by supporting them through knowledge
sharing, networking, advocacy, and consulting, enhancing their positive impact and contributions to economic and social development in their respective countries.
The World FZO reaffirmed its commitment to its core values while enhancing its approach by adopting the
latest practices and keeping pace with rapid global changes. This forward-thinking approach enables the
organisation to reshape prevailing perceptions and highlight its distinctive and innovative methods.
With its new identity, the World FZO also emphasise its dedication to launching purposeful and transparent initiatives that solidify its role as a catalyst for positive change on the global stage.
The organisation’s new corporate identity represents its three strategic pillars: Impact, Influence, and Trust. Its focus on Impact will drive sustainable growth and effectiveness, ensuring that free zones remain at the forefront of socio-economic development and innovation. Under its second pillar, Influence, it seeks to shape the future of global trade and investment by advocating for policies that foster growth and opportunity for businesses and communities. Furthermore, by building Trust, the organizations will reinforce its role as a steadfast ally, providing the advocacy needed to navigate an increasingly complex and evolving global landscape. The organisation’s key objectives for its new phase include opening new investment horizons and reinforcing social contributions by supporting net-zero initiatives.
The World FZO remains focused on fostering trade relations and partnerships between economic zones in its member countries, while broadening its activities to encompass emerging economic sectors. These sectors align with the demands of the era, including artificial intelligence, digital trade, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and advanced technologies.

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Emirates

Dubai Customs Launches Innovative Training Program to Enhance Emiratisation Efforts

– Specialized Vocational Program Under "Masar 33" Aims to Train and Employ 80
Citizens
– Sultan Bin Sulayem: Our Plans Align with National Vision and Goals
– Abdulla Mohammed Busenad: A Strong Commitment to Supporting
Nationalization Efforts in the UA

Dubai Customs is launching a significant initiative to train and employ 80 new high school graduates as “Customs Inspectors.”in line with the vision of the Dubai government and contributing to the goals of the Dubai Economic and Social Agenda, along with the leadership’s commitment to invest in citizens and increase Emiratisation rates.
This initiative is part of the department’s commitment to enhance the participation of citizens
in the economic development process and to support the UAE Centennial 2071 Plan goals
by investing in the youth and equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to
keep pace with global changes. The department has allocated a vocational program in
customs inspection for candidates selected from Ru’ya Careers UAE 2024, providing them
with professional training for seven months both domestically and internationally before they
take up available positions. This initiative is part of the pioneering “Masar 33” program
designed to meet Dubai’s agenda goals by mobilizing all resources and development plans
to ensure the highest quality of life for citizens in the emirate. “Masar 33″aims to enhance
the competitiveness of Emirati talent through various initiatives, professional programs, and
scholarships, establishing Dubai Customs as a cornerstone for advancing the national
human development system, boosting its efficiency and productivity, and increasing its
participation in economic sectors to meet Dubai’s leading aspirations for the future.

Program Objectives:
The vocational program aims to nurture and train new high school graduates by enhancing
their professional skills in line with the Dubai government’s vision. It seeks to integrate
citizens into the labor market from early stages, ensuring their future success and
competitiveness. Additionally, it focuses on building the capabilities of customs inspectors on
scientific and advanced training foundations to address security risks and protect the
community and economy from customs evasion and smuggling, achieving a 100%
nationalization rate in customs inspection at Dubai Customs.

Active Participation:

H.E. Sultan bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman & CEO and Chairman of Ports,
Customs and Free Zone Corporation, stated that the organization is committed through its
various initiatives and programs aimed at training and qualifying citizens to actively
contribute to the success of the UAE’s national vision, which is fundamentally based on the
Emirati workforce. He praised Dubai Customs for diversifying its projects in line with the
Dubai government’s plan and its social and economic agenda, enhancing the
competitiveness of citizens in the labor market for both the public and private sectors under
an ambitious strategy to encourage and promote nationalization policies.

Attracting Citizens:
H.E. Dr. Abdulla Mohammed Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs, emphasized that
the department provides a range of specialized programs at the highest levels to attract
young citizens and involve them in the development process. Through “Masar 33” which
aligns with the objectives of the Dubai agenda and the leadership’s vision for enhancing
nationalization in both the public and private sectors, the programs enable citizens to gain
knowledge, field experience, and technical skills necessary for joining the labor market
through the approved career path. He noted that the initiative to train recent high school
graduates in customs professions builds upon Dubai Customs’ previous achievements in
qualifying citizens and the positive results attained through a series of diverse programs
covering the most in-demand job sectors. The department remains committed to enhancing
the efficiency of citizens and providing them with the professional opportunities they seek,
reinforcing its commitment to supporting nationalization efforts in the UAE.

Four Pillars:
Mohammed Al Ghaffari, Executive Director, Human Resources Division at Dubai Customs,
announced the opening of applications for the customs inspector training program during the
Ru’ya Careers UAE 2024 and provided the link to the official Dubai Government Jobs
website. The program is designed around four main pillars: digital skills programs, behavioral
programs, customs science programs, and security programs, alongside practical training in
the department’s customs centers and external training in collaboration with strategic
partners, which includes a comprehensive professional guidance program. He stated, “The
programs provided by Dubai Customs are increasingly popular among young citizens,
confirming the success of the department’ efforts in attracting national talent to shape future
leaders in customs work through various academic and specialized professional paths. This
offers new graduates the opportunity to qualify for roles in Dubai Customs, with 80 vacancies
allocated for graduates of the customs inspector training program.”

 

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Emirates

DCO Secretary-General commends Global Digital Compact at Summit of the Future

Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the
Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), said that “the digital divide the world faces today is
multifaceted, encompassing gaps in digital intelligence, computing capabilities, gender, and
skills,” in a speech at the Summit of the Future held during UNGA79 in New York.
In her speech, delivered after the UN General Assembly adopted the & Pact for the Future’ and the
‘Global Digital Compact’, AlYahya warned that “The AI and computing divide represents a
significant barrier, as some nations advance rapidly in AI innovation and deployment, while
others struggle to keep pace.
At the same time, the gender digital divide continues to limit women’s access to technology and
opportunities, and the skills divide leaves many without the digital competencies essential for
success in a fast-evolving economy. If we do not address these interconnected challenges, we
risk leaving entire communities behind.”
AlYahya praised the Global Digital Compact for “lays out an ambitious roadmap for an
inclusive, open, sustainable, fair, safe and secure digital future for all,” emphasizing that “It is a
bold vision, but the real challenge is translating these goals, principles, objectives, and
commitments into action, especially as we strive to achieve the SDGs.”
AlYahya highlighted that “at the Summit of the Future, the DCO proudly launched the Digital
Economy Navigator (DEN), an innovative tool that provides detailed insights on digital economy
performance across 50 countries. This initiative is just one of the many ways we are turning the
principles of the Global Digital Compact into action.”
She explained that “while DEN is a vital resource, it is only the beginning. In the spirit of
networked multilateralism, we must foster collective efforts to the GDC’s ambitious goals,
objectives, and commitments. I call upon every country, organization, and individual to join
forces in this critical endeavor.”
The Digital Economy Navigator (DEN) evaluates digital economy performance through three
intersecting dimensions: Digital Enablers, Digital Business, and Digital Society. Within these
dimensions, 10 pillars synthesize and summarize key aspects of countries’ digital economy, and
use of digital technology application from 102 indicators gathered from respected secondary data
sources, in addition to proprietary survey data of more than 27,000 participants across the 50
countries.
In addition to the launch of the DEN, on the sidelines of UNGA, DCO signed an agreement with
the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to enhance digital cooperation and accelerate
digital transformation across the world, to support efforts aimed at achieving the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
It also signed a memorandum of understanding with the League of Arab States (LAS) to
accelerate the inclusive and sustainable digital economy, enhance relations and exchange experiences and knowledge, and accelerate the process of digital transformation and economic development.

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