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Beyond2020 Improves Access to Clean Water for 10,000 Rural Malaysians

Beyond2020, the UAE-driven humanitarian initiative, has installed water filters in 25
communities in the Sabah and Sarawak regions of Malaysia, providing clean drinking water to
10,000 people.
Beyond2020 was launched by the Zayed Sustainability Prize in 2019 in partnership with several
leading organisations with the aim of furthering the humanitarian legacy of the UAE’s Founding
Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, by providing sustainable technologies and solutions
to vulnerable communities around the world. Malaysia marks the 17 th deployment of the
initiative, which will continue to offer life-transforming interventions to a broader number of
beneficiaries worldwide, providing tech for good and fostering development that is inclusive and
sustainable.
Commenting on the installation in Malaysia, H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of
Industry and Advanced Technology, Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, and
COP28 President-Designate, said, “The latest Beyond2020 project in Malaysia reflects the
UAE’s commitment to humanitarianism and international sustainable development. Increasing
climate impacts are undermining water security and affecting lives and livelihoods in many
regions of the world, particularly across the Global South. As the UAE prepares to welcome the
world at COP28, this project highlights the critical link between water and climate change and
emphasises the potential for water innovations to uplift communities, and promote economic
prosperity.
This deployment contributes significantly to Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to enhance access to
reliable, clean water. We value the cooperation of Malaysia’s Ministry of Natural Resources,
Environment and Climate Change in implementing this initiative, which underscores the deep-
rooted ties between our two countries.”
H.E. Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change,
said: “Providing safe drinking water is a top priority for Malaysia, a country that has made
significant strides in improving its water and sanitation systems over the past decade. The UAE”
Beyond2020 initiative, which has delivered safe drinking water to 10,000 Malaysians, showcases
how innovative solutions can tackle our water challenges, particularly in the rural areas. We

recognize the importance of extending these benefits to all segments of society, empowering
every individual to lead healthier, more productive lives.
The communities impacted by the recently deployed environmentally friendly water filters are
located in the Sabah and Sarawak regions of Malaysia, along the Rajang River. The people there
have traditionally relied on surface water from the river for drinking and subsistence. Without
the proper technology and systems to treat the water, however, villagers often experienced health
issues. Children regularly suffered from diarrhea and dysentery, indicating the likelihood of
waterborne parasites in the drinking water.
Water interventions are necessary to ensure that vulnerable populations, particularly children,
women and the elderly, have access to clean drinking water.
Mansoor Mohamed Al Hamed, Chief Executive Officer, Mubadala Energy, said: “Investing in
people and the communities we serve has always been at the heart of our mission. The latest
Beyond2020 deployment in Malaysia exemplifies our dedication to humanitarianism and to
deploying innovations aimed at relieving hardships faced by vulnerable communities. I am proud
of this achievement, which fulfills the critical imperative to provide clean water to those in need
through our community investment projects.”
In partnership with Wateroam – a social enterprise that specialises in designing simple, portable,
durable, and affordable water filtration systems catered specifically for disaster relief and rural
development, and the 2022 Zayed Sustainability Prize winner in the Water category –
Beyond2020 deployed water filtration solutions, providing the communities with access to clean
and safe drinking water.
As the sizes of communities differ between varying regions along the river, Wateroam provided
two different water filters, catering to the specific needs of each group – the Commfilter TM Plus
and ROAMfilter TM Ultra.
Both filters can remove over 99% of bacteria and viruses, but the Commfilter TM Plus provides
safe drinking water for households and communities, while the ROAMfilter TM Ultra is designed
to serve larger communities with its high flow rate. The filters utilise natural gravity flows or low
wattage pumps, requiring little to no electricity to operate. They are easy to set-up and maintain,
making it sustainable for locals to manage and use in the long-term.
Malaysia is rich in water resources, but in recent years, water supplies have been under pressure
due to a combination of population growth, urbanisation, industrialisation and the expansion of
irrigated agriculture. The deployment of environmentally friendly filters that enable communities
to meet their water needs sustainably supports the realisation of Malaysia’s national water vision.
Beyond2020 brings together a leading number of partners which include Abu Dhabi Fund for
Development, BNP Paribas, Mubadala Energy and Masdar.
As part of the initiative’s impact to-date, a total of 17 deployments have been rolled out,
including energy, health, water and food-related solutions, transforming the lives of over 221,800
people in the following countries: Nepal, Tanzania, Uganda, Jordan, Egypt, Cambodia,

Madagascar, Indonesia, Bangladesh, The Philippines, Rwanda, Peru, Lebanon, Sudan, Ethiopia,
and Vietnam. In addition to Malaysia, another 3 countries have been identified as deployment
grounds going forward.

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Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

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At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

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US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM

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