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  The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become a global leader in humanitarian efforts, driven by its founder,  Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan . His visionary approach laid the foundation for the country’s humanitarian leadership, which includes democracy, putting people first, education and healthcare, emancipation of women, trade and environment, tolerance and generosity, and being revered as the Waalid al-Ummah (Father of the Nation). The UAE’s rapid response to crises is often the first international aid to reach affected regions. The UN immediately issues a global appeal for aid, mobilizing resources to provide urgent assistance and ensure no one is left behind. The UAE’s International Humanitarian City (IHC) hosts multiple warehouses and storage facilities for UN agencies, facilitating humanitarian air bridges. During the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, the UAE was one of the first countries to support global humanitarian initiatives, sending 2,154 tons of medical a

  The  Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) , established over four decades ago, has been a platform for collaboration and trade among its member states, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Despite facing various geopolitical challenges, such as regional conflicts, security threats, and financial vulnerabilities, the GCC remains committed to advancing peace, stability, and success within the Gulf nations. The  GCC’s  inaugural shared vision for territorial security is significant because it marks a historic moment in the organization’s history and underscores its commitment to fostering participation and exchange among its member states. The vision focuses on core standards of discretion, exchange, and peaceful conflict resolution, emphasizing the importance of settling disputes through negotiations and exchange rather than force or restraint. The GCC’s shared vision aims to enhance stability and security in the Gulf nations through improved cooperation, dialog

  The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has sent 50 tonnes of food supplies to Ukraine during the  holy month of Ramadan , demonstrating its commitment to providing relief and aid to those affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The aid was sent to Poland for transfer to Ukraine, as part of the UAE’s broader relief efforts, which include a $100 million donation and an air bridge delivering essential supplies to affected areas. The UAE’s mission in Poland oversees the transfer of aid to Ukraine, ensuring that it reaches those most in need and is distributed efficiently. The  UAE’s commitment  to humanitarian aid extends beyond the delivery of food supplies, as it has also established an air bridge to deliver essential supplies to affected areas. The UAE’s dispatch of aid to Ukraine during the holy month of Ramadan highlights its commitment to supporting and assisting those in need, regardless of the time of year. Maryam bint Mohammed Al Muhairi, Head of the International Affairs Office at

  The 34th Sharjah  Ramadan  Festival, organized by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, began on March 8 and will run for 37 days until the 13th of next month. The festival is a prominent promotional and entertainment destination, featuring a variety of events and activities designed to enhance the festive atmosphere and shopping experience. The event covers multiple cities and regions across the emirate, featuring entertainment activities, draws, prizes, and promotional incentives. Participating brands, entrepreneurs, and small-business owners are among the major commercial hubs. The festival also features numerous retail outlets showcasing their promotional campaigns. The event aims to elevate the emirate’s profile as a premier destination and offers a diverse range of products from renowned global brands at competitive rates. The festival also offers entertainment activities, heritage-themed activities, shopping experiences, competitions, and prizes. The 37-day event aims

  The UAE has strongly supported the UN Security Council’s resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during Ramadan, despite the US abstaining from the vote. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the US of stepping back from a “principled position” by allowing the controversial vote to pass despite the absence of conditions concerning the release of hostages by Hamas. Official statements suggest that the  US abstained  because the UN resolution did not condemn Hamas militants and officials chose not to veto the proposal as “it does fairly reflect our view that a ceasefire and the release of hostages come together.” During Ramadan 2024, the UAE has significantly increased humanitarian aid to Gaza. On March 25, the UAE Air Force and the Royal Jordanian Air Force carried out a  joint airdrop of food aid  into the strip, delivering 22 tonnes of relief supplies. This is part of the “Chivalrous Knight 3” initiative, which aims to bolster assistance for Palestinians in G

  Emirati President HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has expressed  condolences  to Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and the victims of a massive terror attack on a Moscow concert hall. The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack and rejected all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability in contravention of international law. Eleven individuals have been arrested after gunmen stormed the concert hall on the outskirts of the Russian capital and opened fire on innocent civilians. The death toll in the incident has reached 133, including three children, and is expected to continue rising. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the assault on its official Telegram channel, saying its fighters “attacked a large gathering”. Russia’s Investigative Committee said four people among those detained had direct connections to the attack. Ukraine has denied any involvement , stating that his country is defending its sovereignty from Russian invaders, libera

  Turkey has made significant strides in mending ties with the  Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)  countries, paving the way for deeper economic cooperation. The recent agreement to launch negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Turkey and the GCC signifies a mutual desire to foster stronger economic ties and unlock new opportunities for trade, investment, and development. The FTA will liberalize trade in goods and services, facilitate investments, and substantially increase Turkey’s trade volume with the Gulf region. The potential FTA holds immense strategic importance for both parties. For Turkey, it represents a crucial step towards diversifying its trade partners and reducing its reliance on traditional markets. By forging closer economic ties with resource-rich Gulf nations, Turkey can tap into new sources of investment and capitalize on the region’s vast wealth. On the other hand, the Gulf states are actively pursuing economic diversification strategies, aiming to redu

  Dr. Sultan Al Jaber , the President of the COP28 Summit at Expo City Dubai, has been awarded the ‘Leadership Award for Building Global Consensus towards a Sustainable Energy Future’ at the annual CERAWeek Energy Conference by S&P Global in Texas, US. The award recognizes Dr. Al Jaber’s efforts in delivering the UAE Consensus, agreed upon at the climate event in December. The agreement includes a commitment from all parties to transition away from fossil fuels in a just, orderly, and equitable manner. The landmark UAE Consensus has set time-bound targets to substantially increase global renewable energy capacity. The deal is crucial as climate change poses a potentially the greatest threat to humanity, triggering disasters and elevating temperatures. Dr. Al Jaber emphasized the importance of multilateralism, inclusivity, and the spirit of partnership in achieving the UAE Consensus and called on CERAWeek attendees to keep this spirit alive. He also highlighted the need for a respon

  The Digital School, launched by UAE Prime Minister HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid in November 2020, has collected over 32,000 electronic devices to support underprivileged students’ digital education journey. The  initiative  targets less privileged societies, refugees, and displaced persons using modern educational materials and curricula. With over 160,000 beneficiaries and services in at least 13 countries, the Digital School has trained over 2,500 digital teachers and provides educational and training content in Arabic, English, French, and Spanish. The devices collected include 36% computers, tablets, smartphones, 30% other electronic devices, and 34% accessories. The devices are set to be refurbished or recycled in an  environmentally  safe manner. The campaign represents a significant partnership for education and sustainability, serving as a global model for effectively addressing pressing challenges in the field of digital education. The success of the campaign and notable co

  UAE residents began observing  Ramadan  on March 11, and generosity is a crucial aspect for Muslims during the holy month. Emirati authorities have issued instructions to help people understand permissible and prohibited charitable practices during Ramadan. Residents are required to make donations through licensed charitable organizations only. The Ministry of Community Development clarified that individuals can support and assist their family members and friends in need. UAE residents can also take care of the requirements of people within their neighborhoods. Distributing Iftar meals in mosques and neighborhoods is not banned, and restaurants can accept donations to prepare meals but must coordinate with charitable organizations. Suspects can report  suspected violations  to the ministry’s call centre through 800623 for legal considerations. Penalties range from Dh200,000 to Dh500,000. Several UAE charitable initiatives are being launched this Ramadan, including Dubai Cares, the Wo

  The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution titled “Measures to Combat Islamophobia,” sponsored by Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. The resolution calls for the appointment of a special envoy to address the crisis of  Islamophobia , receiving support from 115 countries. The resolution condemns any call for religious hatred and urges member states to take necessary actions to eliminate religious intolerance, stereotypes, hatred, negativity, and incitement to violence against Muslims. The UAE emphasized the need to promote tolerance, peaceful co-existence, and human fraternity, work with actors across society to combat hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation, and strengthen cooperation with the private sector.  UN  Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted the effectiveness of the ‘International Day for Combating Islamophobia’ in highlighting the rise of anti-Muslim hate and bigotry, which can come in various forms, including structural a

  The UAE has achieved significant progress in gender balance, ranking 7th globally and first regionally in the Gender Inequality Index 2024, issued by the UN Development Programme. The UAE Gender Balance Council is participating in the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, which aims to accelerate gender equality and empower women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective. The Gender Inequality Index results reflect the Emirati leadership’s vision and  political determinatio n to advance development, progress, and social and economic prosperity. The UAE Gender Balance Council’s President, Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed, highlighted the leadership’s efforts to enhance women’s representation across political, economic, and social fields through promising legislation and initiatives. She stressed the strong partnership between state departments and the private sector, which has substantially helped im

  UAE President HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed inaugurated the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC) on January 22, 2024, to push the country to the forefront of global technological innovation. The council recently announced the  creation of MGX , a technology investment firm aimed at fostering the development and deployment of AI and other advanced technologies to enhance the lives of present and future generations. Mubadala and G42 have been designated as foundational partners in MGX’s establishment, bringing a blend of seasoned expertise and visionary leadership. MGX’s investment focus is centered on three principal domains: AI infrastructure, AI core technologies and applications, and semiconductor technologies. The company seeks to foster collaboration both domestically and internationally, expediting the advancement and integration of AI across different sectors. The current CEO of Mubadala’s Direct Investments platform, Ahmed Yahia Al Idrissi, has been ap

  The International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council has decided to  intensify relief supplies  for Palestinian people in Gaza during the holy month of Ramadan. The UAE has launched a series of Ramadan aid initiatives, including the ‘Gallant Knight 3’ operation, which has provided 21,000 tonnes of food, health aid, and shelter materials to the Gaza Strip. The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has led to a death toll in Gaza exceeding 31,500. The UAE has also launched the  ‘Tarahum — for Gaza’  campaign, with over 24,000 volunteers helping to assemble 71,000 relief baskets from locally sourced materials. The UAE-Egyptian partnership has also been instrumental in delivering aid, with Operation ‘Birds of Goodness’ delivering 293 tonnes of aid via Emirati and Egyptian aircraft. The UAE has established two field hospitals in Gaza: the Emirati Field Hospital in Gaza, housing 200 beds and staffed by over 100 medical professionals, and the UAE Floating Hospital, anchored at the port of Al Ar