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UN peacekeepers ‘a beacon of hope and protection’: António Guterres

NEW YORK, 25th May, 2023 (WAM) — The UN’s 87,000-plus peacekeepers worldwide are “a beacon of hope and protection” for vulnerable civilians, in an increasingly dangerous and uncertain world, the UN chief said on Thursday, recognising that last year, another 102 ‘blue helmets’ fell in the line of duty.

He said the men and women that serve, from 125 countries, across 12 operations, were working to support security, stability and the rule of law.

“They represent the beating heart of the United Nations’ commitment to peace”, said Secretary-General António Guterres.

“By bringing peacekeepers together from around the world, peacekeeping has also become an inspiring symbol of multilateralism in action”, he added, just ahead of presenting the prestigious UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year award to a Ghanian peacekeeper, inside the gilded General Assembly Hall in New York.

But thanks to the increasing complexity of conflict, stagnating peace processes, the constant beat of terrorist activity, armed militia, gang violence and transnational crime, communities, countries and entire regions, are being increasingly poisoned, he said.

Increasingly ‘no peace to keep’
“And the digital world has become a frightening frontier of tension, division, hate and mis and disinformation. Sadly, our peacekeepers are increasingly working in places where there is no peace to keep.”

He called for governments represented in the hall to “seriously reflect on the need for a new generation of peace-enforcement missions and counter-terrorism operations”, led by Security Council mandate under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, that could rely on a guaranteed funding stream.

Before the solemn but moving ceremony, the UN chief laid a wreath at the Peacekeepers Memorial, honouring the sacrifice made by all those serving under the UN flag.

“We mourn their loss and share our deepest sympathies with their families, friends and colleagues. We will never forget their contributions”, he said, before leading a moment of silence.

The roll of those who died in service last year was read, on this 75 anniversary of UN Peacekeeping operations, with more than 4,200 killed in total, in the cause of peace.

Embodying ‘duty to peace’
“Our fallen military, police and civilian personnel came from 39 different countries, with diverse backgrounds. But all embodied our duty to peace”, said Guterres. “I extend my deepest condolences and gratitude to their families, friends, colleagues and home countries represented here.

“I pay tribute to their service and sacrifice, which inspire our work every day. And I commit to doing everything we can to support our peacekeepers in their mission, including improving their safety and security and the effectiveness of peacekeeping through the Action for Peacekeeping Plus strategy.”

Women ‘leading the way’
Paying tribute to the landmark Security Council resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, the UN chief said it reminds “that our women peacekeepers are not only supporting global peace and security.

"They are leading the way."

The winner of this year’s Military Gender Advocate award, Captain Cecilia Erzuah of Ghana, embodies leadership in every way, and the principles behind resolution 1325, he said, for her work in Abyei as the Commander of the Ghana Engagement Platoon since March last year.

“In Abyei, she saw first-hand the enormous toll of armed conflict on entire communities — especially women — and she spared no effort to ensure that their voices were heard and reflected”, he added.

Her work reaching out to local communities to hear their concerns, explain the work of peacekeepers, and build trust, as well as engaging with local leadership, women and youth, “has been critical to the mission’s success.”

He said it was “high time” to significantly increase the number of women working in UN peacekeeping missions everywhere.

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Emirates

Mohammed bin Rashid issues decrees on boards of Dubai Real Estate Corporation, Dubai Judicial Institute

DUBAI, 8th June, 2023 (WAM) — His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has issued Decree No. (22) of 2023 on the Board of Directors of the Dubai Real Estate Corporation.

As per the Decree, the Corporation’s Board is chaired by H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, with Hisham Abdulla Al Qassim as the Vice Chairman. Other Board members include Mohamed Hadi Ahmed Al Hussaini; Rashid Mohammed Rashid Al-Mutawa; Shuaib Mir Hashem Khouri; Rashid Ali bin Oboud; and Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Mulla.

His Highness also issued Decree No. (23) of 2023 on the Board of Directors of the Dubai Judicial Institute, to be chaired by Essam Issa Al Humaidan. Members of the Board include Tarsh Eid Al Mansouri; Dr. Luay Mohammed Balhoul; Dr. Ahmed Eid Al Mansouri; Ahmed Saeed bin Meshar; Abdulmonem Salem bin Suwaidan, and the Director-General of the Dubai Judicial Institute.

The two decrees are effective from the date of issuance and will be published in the Official Gazette.

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Emirates

Hazza bin Zayed appoints Mohammed Abdullah Al Dhaheri to manage affairs of Al Ain Sports Games Company

ABU DHABI, 8th June, 2023 (WAM) – H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, First Vice President of Al Ain Club, First Vice President of the Honorary Council, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club, has issued a resolution appointing Mohammed Abdullah Ahmed Al Dhaheri to manage and supervise the affairs of Al Ain Sports Games Company.

The resolution, effective as of the date of its issuance, included granting Mohammed Abdullah Ahmed Al Dhaheri all the powers to manage the Club’s affairs to realise the goals of Al Ain Sports Games Company, compliant with the Club’s Articles of Association.

Additionally, the decision included naming the members of the Steering Committee, namely: Khamis Obaid Al Kaabi, Mansour Ahmad Yousef Al Hashemi, Mohammad Saif Rashid Al Nuaimi and Yosif Saeed Abdullah Al Amir.

H.H. Sheikh Hazza commended the dedicated efforts exerted by the former Board of Directors of the company chaired by Khamis Obaid Al Kaabi, with the end of his four-year term, which witnessed great successes and achievements.

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Emirates

Integrated Transport Centre introduces smart Taxi-Top Billboard Initiative

ABU DHABI, 8th June, 2023 (WAM) — The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) in Abu Dhabi has announced the launch of the Smart Billboard project for taxi vehicles in collaboration with operating companies and the relevant strategic stakeholders.

This step is in line with the ITC’s efforts to deliver innovative and high-quality advertising content to the public. The initiative entails smart advertising billboards being planted on taxi rooftops to market products and services in collaboration with advertisers from local companies and businesses in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The ITC said that the project started with 50 taxi vehicles from the Tawasul Transport company, and intends to reach 100 taxi vehicles from the same company after the trial period is over. It is worth noting that the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is operating 6,400 taxis in total.

The Integrated Transport Centre explained that the initiative is in line with its commitment towards reinforcing digital transformation in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, and improving public access to its digital services system.

The ITC strives to fulfil future requirements and promote the vision of Abu Dhabi through investing in modern technologies that serve the community and create smarter cities in the Emirate, in terms of services and commercial practices. The project also aims to use new marketing and digital promotional strategies for these services, and to use cutting-edge technology to strengthen the digital marketing field by reaching various segments of society with efficient and creative marketing messages.

According to the ITC, setting up advertising billboards on taxi rooftops contributes to delivering diversified and engaging advertising content to passengers and pedestrians in accordance with the innovative advancements in the digital marketing field.

Furthermore, it improves the city's marketing communications and helps raise community awareness on various services, events, and activities. It also provides local businesses with the opportunity to promote and market their products and services.

Moreover, the digital billboards can be used to broadcast useful traffic safety tips to a large audience in a creative manner, as they use innovative technology to display content clearly in all kinds of weather conditions without distracting other drivers.

On the other hand, the initiative strengthens the collaboration with the private sector by creating new investment opportunities to promote the products and services of local businesses. It also helps the taxi industry utilise asset and diversifying revenue, thereby supporting local economy by enhancing the economic development in the Emirate.

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