First Regional Biodiversity Forum kicks off in Abu Dhabi

The First Regional Biodiversity Forum kicked off in Abu Dhabi today with the attendance of more than 100 biodiversity experts and specialists from the region and around the world.

From the Syrian War to Argentina – Or How to Start a New Life

Fares al Badwan moved to Buenos Aires alone, from Syria, in 2011. He was 17 years old then and the armed conflict in his country had just broken out. Since then he has managed to bring over his whole family and today he cannot imagine living outside of Argentina. "I like the people here. No one makes you feel like a foreigner," he said.

To Sustain Peace: Heed the Warnings & Prevent the Next War

New York and Washington DC may be three hours apart geographically, but in global affairs, they are worlds apart. With the wars in Syria, Yemen and elsewhere unabating, at the UN in New York, terms like ‘conflict prevention’ and ‘sustaining peace’ are back in vogue, with world leaders attending a major summit. Meanwhile in Washington while the talks with North Korea took center stage behind the scenes the drum roll of war against Iran is revving up.

UNHCR, OIC join efforts in addressing a Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, OIC, yesterday concluded a two-day workshop on the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework, CRRF. The workshop was hosted by Jordan with the attendance of representatives of more than 45 member states, specialised agencies and international institutions participated in the workshop.

Abu Dhabi hosts the First Regional Biodiversity Forum in the Gulf Region

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), in cooperation with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) - Regional Office for West Asia (ROWA), will host the First Regional Biodiversity Forum from May 7-9 2018.

UAE rain enhancement programme to host top cloud seeding researchers

The UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science is gearing up to conduct a series of field experiments and preparatory meetings for leading global researchers in cloud seeding with the aim of supporting their research projects.

Abu Dhabi Fund for Development finances USD150 million Quweira Solar Power Plant in Jordan

A delegation from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, ADFD, today attended the official commissioning of the ADFD-funded AED550 million (US$150 million) Quweira Solar Power Plant in the Kingdom of Jordan.

UN Agencies, MIT Solve partner with the Mohammed bin Rashid Initiative for Global Prosperity to revolutionise social innovation

The Mohammed bin Rashid Initiative for Global Prosperity has unveiled key partnerships with eight entities of the United Nations and Solve, an initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT, during a private event hosted by the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit, GMIS, at the Hannover Messe 2018 in Germany. This announcement reaffirms the importance of achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, by enabling and inspiring a worldwide community of makers to create transformative solutions to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges.

Egyptian Photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid, aka Shawkan, to Receive 2018 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Press Freedom Prize

Egyptian photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid, known as Shawkan, has been selected by an independent international jury of media professionals as the laureate of the 2018 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Press Freedom Prize.

Sustainable Communities and Climate Change Summit tackles global sustainability challenges

The Sustainable Communities and Climate Change Summit, SCCCS, was held today, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, to provide a dedicated platform to discuss major regional and international issues in relation to climate change and other sustainability challenges facing the global community.

UAE calls for global efforts to combat impunity for sexual violence during conflict

The UAE has urged the international community to intensify efforts to combat impunity for sexual violence during conflict and reaffirmed its commitment to the UN’s ongoing efforts in addressing these heinous crimes.

Sustainable Communities and Climate Change Summit to convene on 22nd April

Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, the Sustainable Communities and Climate Change Summit, SCCCS, will be organised by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, MOCCAE, in partnership with the Dubai Land Department and Majid Al Futtaim, on 22nd April in Dubai.

UAE committed to a sustainable future, says Al-Zeyoudi

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, delivered a ministerial address at the Green Business Summit 2018, underlining the numerous sustainability initiatives and environmental programmes being developed and implemented in the UAE. He emphasised that the UAE is well aware of the future impact of climate change and is firmly committed to the Paris Agreement. He said that last year the UAE launched its National Climate Change Plan, at the heart of which is the target of generating 27 percent of the country’s energy from clean sources by 2021, and 50 percent by 2050.

Middle East: a Threat to World Peace & Security, Warns UN Chief

The situation in the Middle East is in chaos — to such an extent it has become a threat to international peace and security. The region is facing a true Gordian knot – different fault lines crossing each other and creating a highly volatile situation with risks of escalation, fragmentation and division as far as the eye can see with profound regional and global ramifications.

Food Is the Answer: Perugia International Journalism Festival

The twelfth International Journalism Festival on April 12-15 has drawn 710 speakers from 50 different countries, becoming the biggest journalism festival in Europe.

MOCCAE launches smart use of plastics campaign

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, MOCCAE, in collaboration with some public and private entities, has launched the 'Responsible Consumption for Sustainable Future' awareness campaign, with the theme, 'Preserving our Environment: Smart Use of Plastic'.

Etihad ESCO plans to reduce more than one million tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2030

More than one million tonnes of carbon dioxide will be reduced by 2030 and 1.7 TWh of electricity will be saved by the same year in Dubai, according to the new targets revealed by Dubai’s Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad ESCO).

UAE named world’s largest humanitarian donor for fifth straight year

The UAE has been named the world's largest donor of development assistance in proportion to its gross national income for the fifth year running, according to the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development.

“International Solidarity” at Yemen Donor Conference

The international community has pledged over two billion dollars towards urgently needed humanitarian assistance to Yemen during a UN event.

4th Islamic Economy Fiqh Forum to discuss impact of digital economy, fourth revolution on Muslims’ lifestyle

The 4th Islamic Economy Fiqh Forum 2018 will highlight innovation and happiness in the Islamic lifestyle and impact of digital economy and fourth revolution on the Muslims' life, organisers said today.

EU, IOM advance strategic dialogue on migration challenges

Senior officials from the European Union, EU, and the UN's International Organisation for Migration, IOM, discussed in a meeting on Wednesday in Brussels ways to strengthen cooperation on some of the most pressing European and global migration issues, including better protection of vulnerable migrants, the challenge of managing mixed migration flows, and the Global Compact for Migration.