The UAE law currently allows employees, who have been made redundant, to leave the country within 30 days. But the authorities are relaxing the grace period and would allow people to stay from three to six months after losing the job.

This announcement brings a major relief to employees as it will give them ample time to search for another job. For the UAE, it will help retain the talent within the country.

“We are relaxing the grace period one gets to leave the country after being made redundant. Instead of the previous 30 days, people will have 90 to 180 days to leave the country,” said Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade.

One of the key legislative changes being introduced as part of ‘Projects of the 50’ is a restructuring of the entry and residency system, which is being upgraded to confirm the UAE’s position as an ideal destination for work, investment, entrepreneurship, education and life.

Article source: Khaleej Times

 A diverse range of technologically advance and innovative products will be displayed at the Airport Show 2022 in Dubai.

The 21st edition of the event will be held from 17th to 19th May at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), according to a press release issued by the organisers on Wednesday.

The world’s largest airport industry B2B platform, organised by Reed Exhibitions Middle East, will provide insights into the investments planned by the world’s airports until 2040.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Airline & Group, and Patron of Airport Show, said, “The Airport Show has provided over the past two decades products and services to create most advanced aviation facilities in the world.”

The press release noted that airports have kept up competing by continuously adopting cutting-edge technologies for a completely frictionless travelling experience.

Innovative technologies and products are providing a wider degree of agility and flexibility for the airports as the number of passengers are gradually increasing and they prefer completion of their baggage handling operations outside the airports.

Digital queuing and biometric has been viewed as a priority to be implemented to modernise every component of the journey at airports which are expected to allocate up to six percent of their revenues each year to spend on Information Technology until 2024 on transformative projects and infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving operational efficiency and preparing themselves to handle passengers whose numbers will reach 8.2 billion in 2037 and 20.9 billion by 2040.

The coronavirus pandemic has enhanced the seamless passenger flow and a contactless journey. The technologies and solutions have been in part accelerated by the pandemic but are also part of the long-term transformation underway, according to Billy Shallow, Director, Innovation and Technology at Airports Council International (ACI World), whose members operates over 1953 airports in 176 countries.

The latest IATA Global Passenger Survey, conducted across 153 countries, revealed passengers expect technology to give them more “personal control over their travel experience” and greater automation of airport processes like security and border control which they called the “biggest pain points”.

The annual expenditure on airport security systems alone is set to top US$12.67 billion by 2023. The global airport technologies market is expected to grow to more than US$13 billion at an annual growth rate of almost five percent through 2022. According to Frost & Sullivan, airport IT spending is to touch US$4.63 billion by 2023. The smart airports market is projected to grow to US$6.4 billion by 2025, said the press release.

WAM

 UAE consumers are leading the way globally in prioritising sustainability as a food and drink mandate, a new survey by Bord Bia revealed.

Bord Bia, the Irish food board, explored purchasing habits across 13 countries to better understand how different markets are responding to these changes. The pandemic has inadvertently accelerated a shift in shopping and eating habits worldwide, with more consumers influenced by ethics and sustainability factors and interestingly, UAE has led the way in prioritising sustainability as a food and drink mandate.

The United Arab Emirates presents a unique mix of consumers as a majority of the country’s population of 9.89 million people are expats, with less than a sixth made up of locals. In the Bord Bia survey, UAE consumers showed a growing interest in natural foods, backed by the understanding that natural produce is the healthier choice. Nearly 60 percent of the participants agreed that the naturalness of the product influences their grocery choices, the highest of all markets.

Kieran Fitzgerald, Regional Director – Middle East, for Bord Bia, said, “These survey results suggests that the shift in consumer behaviours caused by the effects of the pandemic can no longer be considered a passing fad, particularly in the Middle East. The food and drink industry need to pay attention to consumer demands now more than ever, and it is becoming more evident that there is an incredible opportunity for food producers looking to grow internationally to adopt sustainability at the core of their business strategy.”

Linked to sustainability, UAE consumers are also increasingly aware of food quality and traceability, and as a result willing to pay a premium for food and beverage products that are quality assured, have high nutritional value and are natural. Nearly a third (29 percent) of UAE beef consumers are willing to pay a premium for quality assured beef, ahead of all other attributes. Additionally, a half of the UAE participants (47 percent) affirmed their interest in natural dairy products.

“This greater interest in food quality indicates that the UAE market is likely to make their selections based on nutritional values and naturalness of the products. This reinforces the fact that businesses need to work towards educating their consumers about their sustainability agenda and wider food production practices in order to be a successful business,” Kieran added.

Additionally, a remarkable 84 percent of UAE consumers confirmed making an effort to limit their consumption of artificial additives in the last 12 months, significantly higher than the global average of 75 percent.

Ireland’s commitment to sustainable food production is leading the way for other suppliers and government bodies to ensure food is being produced in a responsible manner. Bord Bia’s Origin Green sustainability programme is the only sustainability programme of its kind in the world that operates on a national scale in uniting the government, the private sector, and food and drink producers to ensure that all foods are produced sustainably.

If current dietary habits remain, food production will need to almost double by 2050, which would lead to the depletion of natural resources like water and biodiversity. It is therefore more essential that sustainable methods are prioritised before it is too late. The Bord Bia survey helps businesses assess consumer’s priorities towards sustainable food and recognise which components are most important across different demographics.

“While this survey only provides a glimpse of consumer views, it also stresses the need for food supply chains to align with consumer trends and shines the spotlight on a great opportunity here to kickstart a wider dialogue on sustainability in food production, both regionally and globally,” Kieran said.

WAM

Dubai issued 72,152 new business licenses in 2021, a growth of 69 % compared to 2020 when 42,729 licenses were issued, reaffirming Dubai’s position as a global business and investment hub and reinforcing its status as a successful model for the recovery of the business sector. The latest data released by the Business Registration and Licensing (BRL) sector at the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) underlines the quantum leap Dubai has made in creating a business environment that can accelerate growth and success, attract expertise and investments, and provide an incubator for all types of economic activities.

The marked increase in the number of licences issued also reflects the emirate’s position as a leading hub for start-ups, the positive business climate it has created for the business expansion of Dubai-based regional and international companies and the creation of new investment opportunities in the growing digital economy.

According to the official data, 59% of new business licences issued in 2021 were professional and 41% were commercial. Bur Dubai accounted for the largest share (48,562) of new licences issued followed by Deira (23,513), and Hatta (77), while the top sub-regions were: Al Fahidi, Burj Khalifa, Al Marrar, Port Saeed, Trade Centre 1, Naif, Dubai Investment Park 1, Al Barsha 1, Al Quoz 3, and Al Karama.

Among the legal forms of the new licences issued, Sole Establishment companies topped the list with 37%, followed by Limited Liability companies with 26% and Civil Companies with 13%. The legal forms also included: One-Person Limited Liability Companies, Branches of companies based in other emirates; Branches of Foreign Companies; Branches of Free Zone Companies; Branches of GCC Companies, General Partnership Companies; Public Shareholding Companies; and Private Joint-Stock Companies.

A total of 430,921 business registration and licensing transactions were completed in 2021, a growth of 24% compared to 2020, when total transactions reached 347,496. The number of Initial Approvals reached 60,293, a growth of 47% compared to 2020 (40,982), while Trade Name Reservations reached 72,772, a growth of 42% compared to 2020 (51,252). Commercial Permits increased by 15% from 10,687 in 2020 to 12,284 in 2021.

The BRL sector reported that 15,196 Instant Licences were issued in 2021, a growth of 427% compared to 2020, during which 2,884 licences were issued. Through the Instant Licence, which is issued within five minutes on invest.dubai.ae platform with the option to issue an electronic MOA and a virtual site for the first year only, the Department of Economy and Tourism aims to drive the sustainable economic development and competitiveness of Dubai.

Investors can obtain any trade licence or launch a business in a matter of minutes through ‘Invest in Dubai,’ the first integrated digital business set-up platform, which simplifies the business journey. To start a business today, visit invest.dubai.ae or call 600 500 006.

WAM

 H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, affirmed that in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Government of Dubai continues to measure the happiness levels of employees and residents across Dubai, and set new goals for excellence as part of its objectives of enhancing Dubai’s competitiveness and leadership in government services.

Sheikh Hamdan made the remarks as he approved the results of the Government of Dubai Customer and Employee Happiness surveys, which are reviewed on an annual basis by the Dubai Government Excellence Programme, launched by the General Secretariat of The Executive Council of Dubai. The Dubai Government Excellence Programme shared the final reports with the participating government entities to use them as a benchmark and continually strive to improve results. The scores are shared with the community every year on 18 January as part of raising levels of transparency and quality of services.

Commenting on the scores, His Highness said: “The results of the Government of Dubai Employees and Customers Happiness Indices for 2021 reflect the high standards of excellence that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has instilled in the government sector and His Highness’s vision for providing the world’s best government services to the Dubai community. Our ability to achieve His Highness’s vision is clearly demonstrated by the progress seen in the results. The Employee Happiness Index and Customer Happiness Index reached 88% and 86.3%, respectively, with customer satisfaction increasing from 2020 ratings.”

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed commended the efforts of the entities that achieved the highest ratings in the Employee Happiness Index, including: -Dubai Police Force who achieved a score of 96.6%.

-Public Prosecution who registered a rate of 94.7%.

-General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs of Dubai with a rate of 94.1%.

The Crown Prince also praised the efforts of the entities ranked highest in the Customer Happiness Index, including: -Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry with a rate of 91.9%.

-Dubai Customs Department with a percentage of 91.8%.

-Dubai Police Force with a percentage of 91.3%.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed called on government entities to review the results and strengthen efforts to fulfill the expectations and aspirations of employees and customers. He stressed on the importance of engaging customers and improving performance to achieve the highest levels of satisfaction and happiness, which directly contribute to raising standards of excellence in government operations and meeting the topmost benchmarks of global competitiveness.

He added: “Serving people and ensuring customer happiness are the very foundation of government work, and we have the utmost confidence in our employees. We have constantly worked on enhancing our administrative approach, with service as the cornerstone of our activities, guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid to raise happiness levels in the Dubai community.”

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed reviewed the results of the Government of Dubai Employee Happiness Index presented by the Dubai Government Excellence Program, and the electronic platform that includes the indices’ results for all government entities. The Dubai Government Employee Happiness Index stood at 88%; the core index includes five sub-indicators.

H.H. also reviewed the results of the Government of Dubai Customer Happiness Index, which has been continually evaluated for more than 17 years. The Index has achieved steady growth and seen high ratings compared to global benchmarks, with a score of 86.3% in 2021. The level of confidence of customers in the services provided by the Dubai government has increased to 95.9%. The indicator includes seven sub-criteria for evaluation.

Throughout 2021, the Dubai Government Excellence Program developed the customer happiness study while separating the components on the “mystery shopper” and “society’s opinion” from it so that the customer happiness index can more closely reflect customers’ opinions and the extent of their happiness. The Program continued to integrate the results of the instant happiness index for services provided through websites and smart applications, which is handled by the Dubai Digital Authority.

Last year, the Dubai Government Excellence Program added institutional flexibility and speed of response to change, crises and emergencies in government entities as a criterion to measure the extent to which customers are satisfied with the measures taken by government entities, ensuring the continuity of services, and maintaining the health and safety of customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To ensure government entities are continually progressing and developing their services, the Dubai Government Excellence Program developed an electronic platform for calculating and displaying the results of the study, which enables users approved by government entities to view the detailed results of the entity in relation to the happiness of customers and the mystery shopper, compared to the average at the level of the Government of Dubai. Users can also compare the entity’s results in the previous year and review the results of each channel or centre from which the service was provided.

The United Arab Emirates submitted a letter to Norway, the United Nations Security Council President for the month of January, requesting a meeting of the Council to address the Houthi terrorist attacks in Abu Dhabi on 17 January.

The letter condemns the Houthis’ targeting of civilians and civilian objects in flagrant violation of international law. It calls on the Council to unequivocally condemn the Houthi attacks with one voice.

“The United Arab Emirates strongly condemns the Houthis’ targeting of civilians and civilian objects in flagrant violation of international law,” said Lana Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN. “The UAE expresses its condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes those injured a speedy recovery. This illegal and alarming escalation is a further step in the Houthis’ efforts to spread terrorism and chaos in our region. It is another attempt by the Houthis, using the capabilities they have unlawfully acquired in defiance of UN sanctions, to threaten peace and security. The United Arab Emirates calls on the Security Council to speak with one voice and join in firmly and unequivocally condemning these terrorist attacks, which were launched in complete disregard of international law.”

At 10 a.m. UAE time on 17 January 2022, Houthi militias targeted the Musaffah ICAD 3 area and the new construction area at Abu Dhabi International Airport, both of which are civilian infrastructure. The attacks, which led to the explosion of three petroleum tankers, killed two Indian civilians and one Pakistani civilian and injured six other civilians. The Houthis confirmed responsibility for the attacks.

Zayed Sustainability Prize is an inspiring global platform to prepare future sustainability leaders and motivate future generations to adopt a responsible and sustainable lifestyle. Winners will be announced tomorrow during the Prize’s Awards Ceremony, held at EXPO 2020 Dubai as part of the 2022 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).

In the following report, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reviews the efforts of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, which was established in 2008, to motivate the younger generations to enrol in it through the “Prize’s Global High Schools” category.

The report will also highlight the candidates’ projects who presented a set of valuable innovations that employ modern technology to achieve the highest standards of sustainability while developing educational methods to become familiar with the climate change issues and sustainable development in a more comprehensive way.

Since 2012, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has recognised youth as a driving force for future sustainable development. By awarding innovative sustainability projects developed by high school students worldwide, the Prize has been empowering students to reach their full potential and inspiring next generations to be responsible, sustainable citizens.

This category awards six high schools from six world regions that can demonstrate a project plan that will deliver impact, innovation, and inspiration to their school and/or local community up to US$100,000.

Schools must propose projects to be implemented within 12-24 months of receiving the Prize, with tangible outcomes in sustainable health, food, energy, and water while delivering positive and tangible impact. The category’s six world regions include The Americas, Europe & Central Asia, the Middle East & North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and East Asia & Pacific.

The Prize also recognises small to medium enterprises and non-profit organisations that are pioneering solutions and technologies aimed at increasing access to clean water, improving healthcare and facilitating clean energy, sustainable agriculture, education, and better public services and infrastructure, amongst others.

A total of 41 winners from the Global High School category have delivered projects that have gone on to enhance learning opportunities for as many as 7,000 students and cultivate future generations of sustainability leaders.

Winners from the Global High Schools’ projects have installed 500 kilowatts of solar panels, generated 7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, and prevented 5,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere. These renewable energy and sustainability projects have positively impacted approximately 425,170 people connected to participating schools and their surrounding communities.

The Prize’s 2022 Global High School Finalists – Presenting a new round of sustainability pioneers, setting their sights on transformation and environmental impact and education On 28th September 2021, the Zayed Sustainability Prize’s 2022 finalists were announced following the Jury deliberation meeting to elect winners for its current 2022 cycle. During the Prize’s Awards Ceremony on 17th January, 2022, winners will be announced at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The list of nominees from the Americas includes Iniciativas Ecológicas, Venezuela: Greenhouse and Fish Tank Project. Iniciativas Ecológicas is a private school for children with autism, established in 2005 and located in Maiquetía, Venezuela. They focus on engaging students in nature-based, hands-on, experiential learning opportunities, taking advantage of the unique nearby ecosystems of the coastal mountain range.

Students have proposed a project to construct a solar power plant for the school and a greenhouse that combines fish farming with vertical agriculture. The greenhouse system would feed trout with fish feed made from food waste. The uneaten feed would pass through a biofilter, creating fertiliser for the crops growing in the vertical agriculture part of the system. The translucent greenhouse would also serve as a solar dryer to dry and process coffee beans.

This system would allow the school to grow crops all year round, thereby increasing plant production by ten times while using 95 percent less water than conventional crop systems, resulting in water savings of 2.5 million litres per year, annual output of 79,440 kilograms of organic vegetables and 2,880 units of organic trout. The installed solar system would generate 2,277,600 kilowatts of clean electricity each year, or enough to power the entire school.

The vertical farming prototypes the school will develop would then be applied across 2,000 home gardens in the community, extending the project’s benefits to at least 10,000 people.

The list also includes Instituto Iberia – Dominican Republic: Biodiesel-fueled Generator. Instituto Iberia is a private school established in 1941 and located in Santiago, Dominican Republic. It aims to train and develop ethical and competent individuals in a globalised context where diversity is respected, cultural differences are welcomed, and sustainable solutions are built.

The students at Instituto Iberia have proposed a project to convert the school’s used cooking oil into biodiesel to power the school generator, decreasing the negative impact of used oil on the community health, as currently, the oil is sent to the landfill in metal tanks which damages the environment.

In five years, the project envisions impacting 10,000 students in the Santiago area. One thousand students from Instituto Iberia and 9,000 students from other schools will receive educational talks from Instituto Iberia students. This will pave the way for academic and social awareness opportunities with other schools in Santiago, extending the benefits of this project to potentially 19,000 students over the next 25 years.

In Europe & Central Asia, the list includes JU Gimnazija “Bihać”, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Self-Sustaining Energy, Heat and Garden.

JU Gimnazija “Bihać” is a public school in Bosnia and Herzegovina founded in 1911. The school enjoys a one-hundred-year tradition of promoting innovation and creativity and tolerance, and a sense of community.

Students have submitted a project that includes developing a permaculture garden, installing a new air-to-water heat pump system, and a solar panel system to provide the school with clean energy.

The Prize also nominated Liceo Europeo, Spain: LivingEnergy. Established in 1971, Liceo Europeo is a private school located in the Spanish capital, Madrid. At its core, Liceo Europeo is committed to engaging its students in reflective thinking and learning and is a staunch advocate for the environment.

Students at Liceo Europeo submitted a project called “LivingEnergy,” which aims to develop a scalable technology capable of converting waste into electricity using microorganisms. Their solution would produce clean energy affordably while also helping to reduce waste in their local community. Their approach is based on a technology known as microbial fuel cells.

Liceo Europeo students have developed a new design to make this technology scalable using discarded facemasks from which microorganisms can degrade and produce electricity. This is in light of facemasks becoming commonplace place worldwide due to the ongoing global pandemic.

The list also includes Romain Rolland Gymnasium, Germany: Solar Energy Storage.

Founded in 1994, Romain Rolland Gymnasium is a public high school in Berlin, Germany, and is one of the largest high schools in the borough of Reinickendorf, which boasts a solid natural sciences and sustainability focus.

The students of Romain Rolland Gymnasium submitted a project that involves powering the school’s campus with a student-designed solar cell that utilises electrolysis driven by sunlight to store energy more efficiently. The innovative, hydrogen-based solar cells will increase the school’s renewable energy proportion by 8 percent.

The Middle East & North Africa candidate is Eastern Mediterranean International School, Israel: Water from Air Project.

The students at Eastern Mediterranean International School are looking to integrate the school’s Condensation Unit and Organic Rankine Cycle (a thermal power system) into one system powered by a solar battery, which will increase their energy efficiency and water production. It aims to convert water from the air into clean, drinkable water using the Condensation Unit and then capture and convert the produced heat into electrical energy, which will be used to power the whole system.

The existing device produces 100 litres of water per day, which generates around 2.7 kilowatts of thermal power. In contrast, the envisioned more extensive system would produce 1,000 litres of water per day and generate 27 kilowatts of thermal power.

Once implemented, the project will enhance students’ understanding of the physics and complexities behind an integrated renewable energy-powered water producing system, which could help them bring solutions like this to the market.

The list also includes Gifted Students School – Nineveh, Iraq: Calm Green Project.

Located in Mosul, Iraq, the Gifted Students School – Nineveh is a private school established in 2007. The school is in one of the provinces severely destroyed after the war with Daesh, so the school is continuously looking for ways to inspire the wider community to restore everyday life and build a more sustainable land for future generations.

The students at Gifted Students School – Nineveh have proposed a project called “Calm Green” to design a garden and solar energy system to help reduce the school’s carbon emissions, mitigate climate change, and improve students’ mental health.

Umm Al Arab School, UAE: Green Numbers Project is also on the list. It is a public girl’s school in Abu Dhabi, UAE, established in 2015.

Its students have proposed a sustainability project called “Green Numbers,” which includes three components: a solar-powered chiller that would reduce the school’s energy consumption by 15 to 20 percent; an organic and hydroponic greenhouse system that produces 110,000 kilograms of food per year; and a renewable energy-powered water generator that converts humidity from the air into usable water, producing up to 600 litres of water per day, to irrigate the plants in the school’s greenhouse.

The list involves Daddies Firm Foundation School – Ghana: Sustainable School Farm from Sub-Saharan Africa.

Daddies Firm Foundation School is a private school founded in 2008 and located in Cape Coast, Ghana. The school’s proposed sustainability project is an innovative and unique school farm that consists of poultry, fish farming and a garden. Some of the food produced from the school farm will be sold to support financially disadvantaged students with school tuition fees.

Solar panels will be installed to generate clean energy for pumping water from the school’s borehole to irrigate the school farmland so that vegetables and crops can be planted all year round. The irrigated water will also support aquatic life in fishponds, and rainfall harvesting technology will be implemented to harvest and store rainwater for use at the school farm. The proceeds from the farm would also be used to prepare nutritious meals for students.

Lighthouse Primary and Secondary School, Mauritius: Energy Efficiency Upgrades is also on the list. It is a private school established in 2009 in Calebasses, Mauritius. It places importance on creating a school campus that serves as a place of renewal that will provide young people with a stimulating, entrepreneurial, and sustainable environment in which to develop and learn by example.

The Lighthouse School project aims to make the school significantly more environmentally friendly and self-sufficient to install a 20-kilowatt solar panel system on its roof to power the school entirely with solar. It will also build a fruit and vegetable garden to produce healthy food that will be served to students for their meals, and the gardens, and an accompanying nature centre will be used to educate students about plant biology, plant conservation and the basic skills of growing, treating and harvesting crops.

Excess electricity produced by the school’s solar panels will be sold back to the national grid, and the surplus food grown in their farm will be sold at the school farmers’ market.

In South Asia, Hira School, Maldives: Sustainable Rainwater Harvesting was nominated. It is a private school established in 2010 and located in Addu City, Maldives.

Students have proposed a project that would support a sustainable water management system for their school. Their project aims to harvest rainwater for the whole year during the monsoon season, which it would then treat, use, and store for school operations.

The list also has Kopila Valley School, Nepal: Sustainable Rainwater Harvesting, which is a private, non-profit school established in 2010 in Surkhet, Nepal.

The students proposed a community rainwater harvesting system that would bolster the region’s water security sustainably and plan to construct low-cost rainwater collection systems to be placed on homes in the school’s neighbourhood.

Mankuwari Hansa Higher Secondary School, India: Sustainability by Community Engagement is one of the candidates as well. It is a non-profit, private educational society established in 1980 in Barela, India.

The project by students is called “Sustainability Community Engagement” and aims to enhance students’ education by training teachers, improving digital learning opportunities and providing healthy food to over 5,000 students.

In East Asia & Pacific, Bohol Wisdom School – Philippines: Water Quality Monitoring was nominated. It is a private school established in 1930 in the Bohol province in the Philippines.

The students are proposing a three-in-one project that would support more sustainable aquaculture activities to boost fish farming and preserve water quality.

Shanghai World Foreign Language Academy – China: Zayed Sustainability Garden The Shanghai World Foreign Language Academy is a private school established in 1996 in Shanghai, China. Its vision is to educate the modern Chinese to contribute to the world. The school has earned international recognition for its top academics, quality teachers and student achievements.

The project, called the “Zayed Sustainable Garden,” aims to develop an ecosystem that is 100 percent self-sufficient. Students will build greenhouses with aquarium tanks, install solar panel systems, create a sustainable garden, and install waste processing units.

The list also includes UWC ISAK Japan – Japan: Sustainability School Upgrades (Fully green School) The students have proposed a project to make the school ‘fully green’ while educating the local community about sustainability. The students predict that their energy efficiency projects will lead to a 25 percent reduction in carbon emissions and a 30 percent reduction in burnable trash. Additionally, it will produce a healthy, reliable food source and increase awareness of sustainability in their local area.

Overall, the project is expected to impact 3,830 people from various schools. This includes 200 students and 70 faculty members directly involved in the school’s institutional change; the remaining 3,560 people will benefit by promoting UWC ISAK Japan as a role model for sustainable transformation.

WAM

Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), the UAE’s largest healthcare network, has permanently closed its COVID-19 Drive-Through Services Centre in Mina Rashid, Dubai.

Members of the public requiring COVID-19 PCR tests or vaccinations in Dubai are encouraged to book appointments at the SEHA COVID-19 Drive-Through Services in City Walk or Al Khawaneej using the SEHA app.

These centres are open from 10am to 8pm every day.

For full details on the location of your nearest SEHA COVID-19 Drive-Through Services Centre, please visit

https://www.seha.ae/screening-locations/. To book your appointment, please download the SEHA app.

WAM

COVID-19 safety protocols remain paramount at Expo 2020 Dubai, with stringent measures in place as the event prepares to mark the incredible achievement of 10 million visits. Everyone is invited to come and join the celebrations on Sunday 16 January, with a special ticket entry price of just AED 10.

With just 11 Sundays of Expo left, this is a great opportunity to either revisit or see the event for the first time, with the great price, and the wealth of entertainment and dining options, sure to make these tickets sell fast.

Sunday, 16 January promises to be a day to remember, with a slew of one-of-a-kind events to entertain and educate, as Expo 2020 Dubai invites everyone to join the global experience. The Republic of Korea will celebrate its National Day with traditional Jang-Gu drums, a Taekwondo martial arts demonstration, and a special K-Pop concert at Jubilee Stage at 1930 GST, featuring artists including (G)I-dle, Stray Kids, Golden Child, PSY, Forestella and Sunmi.

Meanwhile, Global Goals Week will host the flagship ‘Global Goals for All’ – a people-facing event to create awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), celebrate progress made so far, and highlight the role of individuals and communities in driving global change for a more sustainable future for all by 2030.

Global Goals Week, which runs from 15-22 January at Expo 2020, will mobilise and accelerate momentum to advance the SDGs, highlighting solutions to inspire action around the world’s most pressing issues, including gender inequality and climate change.

In an incredible finale, DJ Mato Blue will be on the decks at Jubilee Stage from 2200 GST, with a set packed with deep house, funk, disco, progressive house and techno.

Tickets for this not-to-be-missed experience are available online from Friday 14 January at 1700 GST at http://www.expo2020dubai.com/en/tickets-and-merchandise/tickets or at the Expo 2020 Dubai gates. Visitors already in possession of a Season Pass can enter as normal, with no additional entry fees required.

The health, safety and wellbeing of everyone involved in Expo 2020 Dubai remains the highest priority, and organisers are committed to working with participants to welcome visitors to a safe and exceptional World Expo.

Visitors must present a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours or proof of vaccination.

The New Covid-19 variant called Omicron is continuously spreading its infection worldwide. Due to the emerging numbers of victims, some cities imposed city-wide lockdowns.

Travel regulations have become stricter since the UAE is hosting different international events, forums, and exhibitions.

According to an interview with Bloomberg TV with His Excellency Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the Minister of State for Foreign Trade in UAE, there is an assurance that there will be no lockdown in the country.

“Omicron is way less impactful than the delta and even during delta, we haven’t locked down the country. The balance has been there throughout the omicron for sure and with any future variants when it comes to corona,” he said. 

During the interview, His Excellency stated that “the world cannot continue with this lockdown. We have to come back to the norm ASAP.”

He firmly added too that “We will not go back to the full lockdown of the country.”