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  Dubai Cares , a civil society organization, has launched a Ramadan fundraising campaign called “Gaza In Our Hearts” to raise funds for emergency relief for the people of Gaza Strip. The campaign acknowledges the depleting supply of relief materials needed by the Palestinian people and the Emirati community’s shared desire to extend more help. The Gaza crisis began on October 7 with Hamas’ surprise attack on Israeli cities, killing 1,200 people and taking hundreds more hostages. The Israeli retaliatory strikes have claimed over 30,000 lives to date. Building upon the success of the UAE’s “Tarahum for Gaza” initiative, the Ramadan campaign is set to raise funds for concrete emergency support, with all donations supporting the delivery of hot meals, food baskets, and tents. Dubai Cares and Anera (American Near East Refugee Aid) have entered into a strategic partnership to ensure the prompt and efficient supply of emergency relief. The campaign provides people in the UAE the opportunity

  Tunisian President Kais Saied met with  HH Lt General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan , Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior of the UAE, and Arab Interior Ministers at Carthage Palace for the 41st session of the Arab Interior Ministers Council. The meeting discussed topics related to enhancing joint Arab action and coordination in the security and police fields. Representatives from the League of Arab States, the International Criminal Police Organisation, the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, and the Arab Police Sports Federation also attended. The meetings focused on bolstering security cooperation among Arab countries, including a draft 9th Arab media plan for security awareness and crime prevention, a draft 11th Arab security plan, and a draft 8th phased plan for the Arab strategy for traffic safety. The discussions also focused on areas of cooperation with relevant regional and internationa

  The 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the  World Trade Organisation  (WTO) has begun in Abu Dhabi, bringing together leaders, ministers, and representatives from 166 member states for negotiations on trade issues and discussions on the global trading system. The UAE has provided a $10 million grant to support key WTO initiatives, including the Fisheries Funding Mechanism, the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), and the Women Exporters in the Digital  Economy (WEIDE) Fund. The  UAE  is at the heart of international trade through its Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (Cepa) program and is committed to modernizing the trading system and contributing to sustainable and inclusive economic growth. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has raised concerns over conflicts, uncertainty, and instability in the global economy.

  The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has removed the UAE from its “grey list” after identifying weaknesses in the Gulf state’s ability to address financial crime. The removal comes after the international body identified weaknesses in the Gulf state’s ability to address illicit financing for crimes ranging from terrorism to drug trafficking. The countries removed from the grey list have taken significant steps to bolster their  financial crime  fighting systems and demonstrate the necessary political will to sustain and continue these changes. UAE’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed emphasized the country’s commitment to consolidate its unwavering approach and position within the world’s financial system by following all relevant international laws and conventions. Measures taken by the UAE to get off the grey list include beefing up legislation and strengthening its Executive Office of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terror Financing to address illicit money. Th

  The UAE and Kenya have reached a landmark agreement for a  comprehensive economic partnership agreement (Cepa) , aiming to provide further access to the rapidly developing African continent. The agreement, a “landmark” one, will focus on sectors such as food production, technology, logistics, and mining. In 2023, the non-oil trade between the two countries increased 26.4% YoY to $3.1 billion. The UAE’s Cepa programme has been successful, with deals with Mauritius and the Republic of Congo. Kenya’s real GDP increased to an estimated 5% last year, while the developing African economy is projected to achieve growth between 4.5% and 5.2% in the current year. The agreement is expected to hasten investment flows in high-potential areas like healthcare, travel, and information communications technology, as well as help small and medium enterprises expand. Kenya has also dropped visa requirements for all travelers globally, making it a popular destination for tourists. The services sector an

  The UAE has opened a vital health facility at its field hospital in the Gaza Strip, supporting the “Gallant Knight 3” humanitarian operation launched under President HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s directives. The Prosthetic Limb Centre is designed to provide and manufacture high-quality prosthetics and rehabilitate patients affected by ongoing fighting in the enclave. The centre will operate in several stages, starting from taking measurements for prosthetic limb manufacturing, followed by manufacturing, and physical therapy and rehabilitation. Measurements have already been taken for 36 cases in preparation for their prosthetics. The number of people supported by the centre is expected to exceed 100 in just a few days. Established in December to ease the significant pressure placed on Gaza’s health service by the five-month-long violence, the 150-bed field hospital has already treated more than 3,500 patients. A 100-bed floating hospital has also been set sail from the Gulf state to

  The US has rejected a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as the Israel-Hamas conflict continues. The resolution, drafted by Algeria, received 13 votes in favor, one abstention from Britain, and a US veto. The Arab-backed resolution demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the release of all Hamas hostages, and the forced displacement of the Palestinian civilian population. The  United Arab Emirates (UAE) expressed deep disappointment  over the development, stating that “after more than four months of carnage and no end in insight, this war must end.” The latest Gaza crisis unfolded on October 7, as Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking several others hostages. The Israeli response has claimed at least 29,000 lives in the enclave. Saudi Arabia ’s Foreign Ministry expressed regret over the outcome and raised concerns over the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza. The ministry

  UAE President HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed met with HE Felix Tshisekedi, the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi. The  leaders discussed  mutual concerns and progress in advancing bilateral relations, particularly in diversifying and promoting investments in development, economic, investment, trade, renewable energy, and other areas that serve the common interests of both nations. The meeting followed a telephone call on January 27 that involved reviewing bilateral relations and exploring opportunities for further collaboration to advance sustainable development ambitions.  Tshisekedi was re-elected  for a second term after receiving over 73% of the vote in a December 20 poll, with over 13 million votes out of 18 million valid votes. The turnout was over 43%. Last week, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed received HE Denis Sassou Nguesso, the President of Congo-Brazzaville, who was on a working visit to the Gulf state. The leaders exchanged views

  The UAE’s economy experienced significant growth in 2023, reaching a record Dh 3.5 trillion ($953 billion) in non-oil foreign trade. This growth was attributed to the country’s economic diversification plans, despite a decline in international goods and services movement. The UAE’s trade with its top ten most important foreign partners grew 26% last year, and the country is working towards inking 26  comprehensive economic partnership agreements (Cepas)  with countries like India, Indonesia, and Turkey. The non-oil trade figures recorded last year included Dh2.6 trillion in goods and Dh900 billion in services, reflecting the resilience and dynamism of its economy. The country is on track to achieve its target of Dh4 trillion by 2031. China remains the leading trading partner for the UAE, followed by India, the US, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. Other top ten trading partners include Iraq, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Japan, and Oman. The tourism sector contributed to the growth of trade in ser

  In a  meeting in Manama , UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa discussed their shared strategic vision for enhancing security and stability in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The leaders discussed their shared goals and ways to strengthen joint action on behalf of the entire GCC region. King Hamad praised the level of cooperation between the two countries and expressed his interest in enhancing these relations. During the visit, Sheikh Mohamed visited the Royal Guard headquarters, a key pillar of Bahrain’s national framework. Sheikh Mohamed also met the family of Major Abdullah Al Nuaimi, a Bahraini officer who died in a recent  Somalia terrorist attack . The Emirati leader emphasized the strengthening of fraternal relations between the UAE and Bahrain, noting that the relationship is a cornerstone of collective Gulf and Arab initiatives and reflects their aligned perspectives. He expressed his condolences over the martyrs of

  India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a new project called Bharat Mart in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which aims to improve trade relations between India and the UAE and make India more involved in the global supply chain. The project, spanning over 100,000 square meters, is India’s response to China’s Dragon Mart and will be located within Dubai’s Jebel Ali free zone and managed by DP World. It will feature retail showrooms, warehouses, offices, and other facilities to provide a unified platform for Indian exporters to showcase their diverse range of products, including heavy machinery and perishable items. The establishment of Bharat Mart is poised to strengthen trade relations between India and the UAE, as it leverages Jebel Ali Port’s strategic location and logistics capabilities to connect Indian traders with international buyers across West Asia, Africa, and Eurasia. This move follows the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed in 2022, which propel

  The UAE plans to introduce  SpaceX’s Starlink internet service  at its 150-bed field hospital in Gaza, aiming to provide live medical consultations and help healthcare personnel deliver crucial care. Starlink is a satellite constellation service that provides internet access using satellites revolving around the planet at between 200 km and 2,000 km. Satellites provide services even in the middle of nowhere, making them a viable option in Gaza compared to regular services. The UAE’s Gallant Knight 3 humanitarian operation continues, using Elon Musk’s high-tech satellite system to address communication cuts and aid coordination in Gaza. The  Emirati Ministry of Foreign Affairs  is working with international partners to deliver advanced technology at the field hospital. The UAE’s floating hospital, established in December 2023, has helped ease the significant pressure placed on Gaza’s health infrastructure by a conflict raging on for five months. More than 3,500 patients have received

  Dubai is hosting the annual  World Government Summit (WGS)  from February 12 to 14, focusing on ‘Shaping Future Governments’. The summit has attracted participation from heads of state, governments, global organizations, governmental delegations, thought leaders, and experts. The summit has inspired proactive measures from governments and institutions to develop and embrace digital solutions to shape future cities. Dubai’s Crown Prince HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed discussed the challenges facing future cities in a speech titled “7 Key Principles for Future Cities.” In 2021, the World Government Summit Organisation released a report urging governments to invest heavily in securing Information and Communication Technologies. In 2022, another report highlighted the urgency of comprehensive digital transformation for future city readiness, highlighting innovations and initiatives, such as the app created by Dubai to capture citizen-customer happiness data in a consolidated city dashboar

  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the UAE and Qatar from February 13 to 14, focusing on strengthening ties between the two countries. The trip is built on strong bilateral relations and economic collaboration, following UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s January visit to India. The two countries are among each other’s  top trading partners , with a bilateral trade of nearly $85 billion in 2022–23. The UAE is also among the top four investors in India in terms of foreign direct investments in 2022–23. Modi’s visit to Abu Dhabi marked the inking of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering areas such as payment and messaging systems, renewables, and healthcare. The two countries are among each other’s top trading partners, with a bilateral trade of nearly $85 billion in 2022–23. PM Modi, Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are taking part in Dubai’s ongoing World Government Summit as

  Dubai is hosting the 11th edition of the  World Government Summit (WGS)  from February 12 to 14, inviting heads of state, governments, over 80 organizations, 120 governmental delegations, and thought leaders and experts to discuss pressing global issues. The event, which has been held for the past 10 years, is a platform for global dialogue, knowledge sharing, and investment in new ideas. The theme for 2024 is ‘Shaping Future Governments’, reflecting the importance of global challenges in areas such as AI, education, energy, finance, creativity, transport, and smart mobility. The theme is appropriate for the upcoming 2024 national elections and the post-war scenario in the Gaza Strip. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be the  guests of honor,  emphasizing the role of international solidarity. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani will also be among the 25 world leaders at the event. The event is centered around m