Day: April 22, 2024

Amman: The European Union’s High Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, announced that a major sanctions package on Iran is about to be released, but it needs unanimity.

“There is a large package of sanctions on Iran on the table of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Council today in Luxembourg,” Borrell said on the sidelines of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on Monday, expressing his hope that “all member states will agree in this regard, because unanimity is required.

Source: Jordan News Agency

ABU DHABI: The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) is set to present around 350 of its publications, including 50 new releases, during its participation in the 38th Tunis International Book Fair, organised by the Tunisian Ministry of Cultural Affairs from 19 to 28 April 2024.

The ALC pavilion at the Fair offers visitors the opportunity to explore the latest contemporary releases across various genres of literature, humanities, and children’s literature, alongside a number of classical works, all as part of the hundreds of releases issued by the Kalima Project and the Basaer (Insights) series of research papers and studies.

The pavilion also presents a distinctive collection of literary, historical, travel, and cultural works under the ‘Esdarat’ project, as part of its strategy to promote its diverse publications, engage with audiences, and connect with various categories of readers. The Centre’s objective is to promote a culture of reading and advance the presence of the Arabic language in various cultur
al events.

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre regularly takes part in the Tunis International Book Fair, given the event’s reputation as an established annual cultural phenomenon, organised by the Tunisian Ministry of Cultural Affairs since 1981 at the Palais des Expositions in the capital, Tunis. The agenda for this year’s edition welcomes 300 participating publishing houses, showcasing around 500,000 titles; it includes a range of intellectual and cultural activities, as well as events held on the side lines of the Fair.

Source: Emirates News Agency

New York: The UN Secretary-General, Ant?nio Guterres, on Monday expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Ms. Catherine Colonna, who on Saturday submitted to him her Final Report as Chair of the Independent Review Group on the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), entitled “Independent review of mechanisms and procedures to ensure adherence by UNRWA to the humanitarian principle of neutrality.”

According to Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, the UN Secretary-General is also grateful to the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, the Chr. Michelsen Institute, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights, for the essential research that they conducted.

Dujarric said, “The Secretary-General accepts the recommendations contained in Ms. Colonna’s report. He has agreed with Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini that UNRWA, with the Secretary-General’s support, will establish an action plan to implement the recommendations contained in the Final Report.”

In this
regard, the Secretary-General said he counts on the cooperation of the donor community, the host countries and the staff to fully cooperate in the implementation of the recommendations. Moving forward, the Secretary-General appeals to all stakeholders to actively support UNRWA, as it is a lifeline for Palestine refugees in the region.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Gaza: The bodies of 72 new Palestinians had been recovered from a mass grave discovered in the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis after the Israeli occupation forces withdrew from the complex.

According to a statement issued Monday, the government media office in Gaza said the bodies of 42 people had been identified out of the total 72, noting that the number of bodies recovered since last Friday had risen to 293.

Israeli forces deliberately hid the bodies of the slain Palestinians in the sand and covered them with garbage, the media office said, adding that among the slain were women, children and older people.

The bodies showed that the victims had been handcuffed and stripped of their clothes before they were executed, according to the statement.

The fate of about 2,000 people who were in the complex when the Israeli forces stormed is still unknown.

The media office called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the Israeli “massacre” at the Nasser and Al Shifa medical compounds aga
inst citizens, displaced people and medical and journalistic personnel.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Environment Minister Muawieh Radaideh and the Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Muhammad Tounkara, Monday discussed cooperation in green growth and climate change.

The discussions focused on Jordan’s programmes and procedures in transitioning towards green growth and the national action plans for green growth during 2021-2025 that focused on energy, transport, water, agriculture, waste management and tourism.

Radaideh and Tounkara discussed cooperation between the Ministry of Environment and GGGI and Jordan’s progress in implementing its commitments to the Paris Agreement and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 31 per cent by 2030.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Gaza: The Ministry of Health in Gaza Monday warned against a planned Israeli invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza that would destroy the health system in the embattled enclave.

According to a statement, the ministry said the invasion would mean depriving Gazans of health services and endangering the lives of hundreds.

Source: Jordan News Agency

DUBAI: H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, issued Executive Council Resolution No. (19) of 2024 forming the Board of Directors of Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, chaired by Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi.

As per the Resolution, Dr. Mona Issa Al Bahar serves as Vice Chairperson of the Foundation. Other members of the Board include Hessa Abdulrahman Tahlak, Mohammed Ali Rustom; Khaled Yahya Al Hosani; Sultan Abdulhamid Al Jamal; and the Director-General of the Foundation.

This Resolution is effective from the date of issuance and will be published in the Official Gazette.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Amman: His Majesty King Abdullah II on Monday received a phone call from President of the Spanish Government Pedro Sanchez, which covered developments in the region.

According to a royal court statement, His Majesty stressed that regional escalation threatens to expand the conflict and impact security and stability.

The King also called for reaching an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, while ensuring the protection of civilians and the flow of humanitarian and relief aid through all possible means.

Source: Jordan News Agency

SHARJAH: The Expo Centre Sharjah (ECS) participated in the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI)’s Middle East and Africa (MEA) Conference, held by the UFI in Kigali, Rwanda.

Saif Mohammed Al-Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah and Chairman of the Arab Union for Exhibitions, represented the ECS at the three-day event, which featured an extensive list of exhibition industry leaders and professionals from the Middle East, Africa, and various other countries across the globe.

Expo Centre Sharjah’s participation in the UFI MEA Conference underscores its commitment to showcasing the advancements made by the exhibition industry in Sharjah and the UAE, highlighting the local, regional, and international opportunities and platforms the industry provides to various commercial and industrial sectors.

These contributions help elevate the exhibition and conference industry’s future locally and globally, foster international cooperation, and ensure the adoption of best practices and cutting-edge technologie
s associated with the global exhibition industry.

During the conference, Al Midfa outlined Expo Centre Sharjah’s initiatives and activities, which annually attract over 2.5 million visitors and thousands of businesses and exhibitors from around the world.

Shedding light on Sharjah’s outstanding success in reviving the exhibition business via the lens of Expo Centre Sharjah, Al Midfa reiterated the ECS’s ongoing commitment to expand collaboration with global exhibition centres to establish strategic partnerships, exchange expertise, attract more exhibitors, and introduce new high-calibre events and exhibitions to its agenda.

Al Midfa also stressed that the Expo Centre Sharjah is using innovative methods and approaches to enhance its services and strengthen its leadership position in the exhibition and conference industry.

He emphasised that the centre is keen to engage in and participate in the annual sessions of the UFI MEA Conference alongside other global events pertinent to the exhibition industry. Thi
s participation aims to enhance opportunities for exchanging knowledge and expertise, establishing best practices in the exhibition business, and bolstering international cooperation within the exhibition and conference sector.

In its latest edition’s sessions, the annual UFI MEA Conference explored the significance of enhancing the exhibitions’ role in bridging communication gaps among exhibitors in vital industrial sectors on one hand and between exhibitors and decision-makers in the region on the other.

The conference also highlighted the need for the exhibition sector to focus on events targeting diverse social segments and categories; to boost its role in catalysing economic diversity and creating more attraction opportunities that contribute to the development of trade, industry, tourism, and service sectors.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Amman: Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi Monday discussed at a meeting with a delegation from the French Senate efforts to stop the Israeli war on Gaza.

Safadi discussed with a delegation from the German Konrad Adenauer Foundation the repercussions of continued Israeli war on the embattled enclave and the threat it poses to regional security and stability.

He stressed the “need” to stop the war, warning of the consequences of the international community’s failure to stop the war and implement international law and humanitarian law.

He warned of the deepening humanitarian catastrophe facing Gaza as Israel prevents “adequate” aid from reaching the enclave and obstructing the work of UN organisations, especially UNRWA.

Safadi stressed that the risk of the war expanding regionally is “real and increasing” as Israel continues its aggression and escalates its illegal measures in the occupied West Bank, which undermines the chances of achieving peace.

He added that the failure to stop the war on Gaza and to impleme
nt international law “reflects negatively on everyone and the status and reputation of Western countries in the region.”

He added that there is no alternative to ending the occupation and fulfilling the rights of the Palestinian people and their right to freedom and a sovereign state with occupied Jerusalem as its capital on the lines of June 4, 1967.

Safadi discussed with the two delegations the Jordanian efforts to stop the war, bring humanitarian aid into Gaza and launch a real and effective movement to implement the two-state solution.

Source: Jordan News Agency

ABU DHABI: The AVPN Global Conference 2024 opens in Abu Dhabi tomorrow, welcoming more than 1,500 investors, philanthropists, researchers, policymakers, and other impact professionals who seek to unite on critical social and environmental challenges over three knowledge-packed days.

The Conference, the flagship event of AVPN, Asia’s largest network of social investors, journeys to different locations every year, bringing together the region’s social investing ecosystem to learn, connect, and unite in action for Asia.

This year’s Conference takes place in Abu Dhabi from 23rd to 25th April 2024, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council.

It represents the most inclusive Conference to date, spanning from the GCC to the eastern reaches of Australia and New Zealand, bridging North, South, East, and West Asia and leveraging the UAE’s unique ability to unite diverse partners in the pursuit of shared good.

Confer
ence highlights

The Global Conference includes more than 70 plenaries and breakout sessions, including live impact showcases, highlighting key social impact areas such as climate solutions, scaling health resilience, youth and women empowerment, and technology-driven impact. Additionally, Day 2 is dedicated to impact investing, underscoring the region’s growing emphasis on amplifying impact through targeted funding.

Highlighted features of the three-day agenda include 3 key sessions. The first, ‘Why We Give: Values, Beliefs, and Motivations that Drive Impact’ (23 April), highlights how beliefs can inspire transformative giving practices across diverse communities, and the role of values-aligned giving in addressing Asia’s most pressing social issues. ‘Forging the Impact Investing Ecosystem and Navigating Emerging Trends’ (24 April) provides first-hand accounts from leading investors on building adaptive and resilient social investing strategies to deepen the impact. Meanwhile, ‘Rapid Response Philanthropy:
Accelerated Giving in Times of Crisis’ (25 April) recognises the need for strategic fund allocation to ensure needs are met in times of crisis. The session will highlight strategies for crisis-driven philanthropy, emphasising enhanced responsiveness, coordination, and impact.

Sultan Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Development and International Organisations Affairs and member of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council, said, ‘This year’s AVPN’s conference is the first to be held in the Middle East, bringing together diverse stakeholders to mobilise capital, partnerships, and momentum towards social impact across Asia. Its debut in Abu Dhabi reflects the UAE’s legacy and leadership in global development and the country’s unique ability to convene and unite diverse partners in the pursuit of shared prosperity. The UAE has a rich history and culture of giving, rooted in the example of our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose lifelong commitment
to helping those in need shaped the values of our nation – and has served to ensure Emiratis past and present understand their responsibilities as global citizens. Over the coming days, we look forward to dynamic conversations together as we explore opportunities to collaborate, innovate, and forge new alliances in support of humanitarian response as well as sustainable and inclusive development to ensure that no one is left behind.’

Naina Subberwal Batra, CEO of AVPN, said, “Hosting the AVPN Global Conference in Abu Dhabi comes at a crucial moment for the whole of Asia, a region currently navigating through transformative economic shifts with sustainability at their core. This transformation, while ambitious, must also be measured in societal terms. Achieving the targets set by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) demands a significant ramp-up in investments. With a financing gap of US$1.5 trillion urgently needing to be bridged, social investors must collaborate on multiple fronts to ad
dress our region’s socio-environmental challenges swiftly, efficiently, and fairly. The AVPN Global Conference continues to serve as a leading platform for facilitating and accelerating these efforts, and we are encouraged to see numerous stakeholders joining our shared mission towards meaningful social impact.”

Host partners such as the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, Reaching the Last Mile, Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, Burjeel Holdings, and Alef Education have also lent their support to the Conference, representing the community and enhancing the region’s collaborative efforts. In addition, core partners lending their support and commitment to advancing social impact at the Conference include Emirates Red Crescent and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; while lead partners include The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, Johnson and Johnson Foundation, Visa Worldwide Pte Ltd, Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an, the Institute of P
hilanthropy, Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, and First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB).

Source: Emirates News Agency

Madaba: His Majesty King Abdullah II on Monday said Jordan has always proven its ability to succeed and move forward with the persistence of Jordanians.

According to a royal court statement, during a meeting with figures and representatives from Madaba, attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, His Majesty said Madaba is a symbol of coexistence and generosity, reflecting an exemplary model of diversity in Jordan.

The historical and religious heritage of Madaba is a motivator to seek new achievements, especially in advancing the tourism sector, the King said at the meeting, held at Mount Nebo as part of outreach visits to the governorates on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee, stressing the importance of benefiting from opportunities in the governorate.

His Majesty commended development efforts in Madaba across all sectors, especially agriculture, noting the educational institutions that Madaba boasts, which are a source of pride for all Jordanians.

Speaking at the meeting, Madaba Governor Nayef Hid
ayat highlighted the development and achievements witnessed by the governorate, under the King’s leadership, which also reflected on all Jordanians.

Expressing best wishes to His Majesty on the Silver Jubilee, the governor added that Jordan’s resilience and prosperity is the result of all Jordanians coming together around their leadership and nation, praising Jordan’s support for Arab countries.

Upon arrival at Mount Nebo, the King was welcomed by a folk performance by a band affiliated with the Madaba Forum Society to Revive Heritage, and a poetry recital.

Prior to the meeting, His Majesty, accompanied by Her Majesty, visited Madaba Visitors Centre, which highlights the historical, geographical, and religious significance of Madaba throughout the ages.

During a tour of the facility, the King listened to a briefing by Tourism Minister Makram Queisi on the religious, cultural, and heritage-related elements in Madaba that attract tourists.

His Majesty also viewed the King’s Way portrait, which is the world
‘s largest mosaic mural.

During the meeting, His Majesty bestowed the Silver Jubilee Medal on individuals and institutions in Madaba, in recognition of their contributions to serving Jordan, especially the local community in the governorate.

Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, and Adviser to His Majesty for Tribal Affairs Kneiaan Bluwi attended the meeting.

Source: Jordan News Agency