
UAE President, Austrian Chancellor say Iran-Israel ceasefire key to regional security
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has expressed hope that the Iran-Israel ceasefire would serve as a step towards renewed regional security during a call with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker.
The two leaders reaffirmed that diplomacy remains the only viable path to resolving the current crisis and safeguarding long-term peace and stability in the region.
Sheikh Mohamed and Stocker also explored opportunities to strengthen UAE-Austria relations within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) between the two countries, in a manner that supports mutual growth and prosperity for the two nations.
The Emirati-Austrian relationship, which spans five decades, continues to deepen under the CSP established in 2021. The partnership aims to enhance cooperation across key sectors, including political, diplomatic, security, economic and technological fields.
This follows a recent phone call between Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Austria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, during which they discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations.
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Gulf Business
15 minutes ago
- Gulf Business
Gulf Business panel: What's next for IPOs, investments and generational wealth in UAE?
Image credit: Supplied/Gulf Business The Gulf Business panel, held on June 25, 2025, head at the Metropolitan Hotel Dubai, brought together an exceptional lineup of industry leaders to delve into some of the most pressing topics shaping the future of finance and investment in the region. Read- The event explored a range of key themes, from the growing popularity of residence-by-investment programs — commonly referred to as 'golden visas' — to the evolving outlook for UAE initial public offerings (IPOs) in 2025 and beyond. Another critical focus was the impact of the world's largest generational wealth transfer, and how it is expected to reshape investment strategies not only in the UAE but across global markets. Each panel session was thoughtfully curated, featuring insights from leading voices in investment, banking, and business setup. Among the standout speakers were: Damian Hitchen , CEO of Saxo Bank MENA Muhammed Hassan , capital markets Leader at PwC Yasmine Omari , head of wealth planning at Bank of Singapore George Hojeige , group CEO of Virtugroup Yogesh Khairajani , global market strategist at Century Financial Their collective expertise offered attendees a comprehensive understanding of emerging financial trends and actionable strategies for navigating the evolving economic landscape. As global and regional dynamics continue to shift, the Gulf Business panel reaffirmed the UAE's position as a strategic hub for investment innovation and long-term growth planning. 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Khaleej Times
17 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Iran to hold funerals on Saturday for top commanders, scientists killed in Israel war
Iran will hold state funerals on Saturday for senior military commanders and top scientists killed during the country's 12-day war with Israel, official media said. "The national funeral ceremony for... commanders and scientists martyred in the Zionist regime's aggression will be held on Saturday from 8:00 am (0430 GMT)" in Tehran, state news agency IRNA reported on Wednesday, a day after a ceasefire took hold. IRNA also reported that Hossein Salami, the Revolutionary Guards chief killed by Israel on the war's first day, will be laid to rest on Thursday in central Iran. Israel on June 13 launched a major bombardment campaign targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites and killing top officials including Salami, who was close to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Residential areas have also been hit in the fighting, with the health ministry in Tehran reporting at least 610 civilians killed and more than 4,700 wounded. Iran's retaliatory attacks on Israel have killed 28 people, according to official figures.


Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
"Emirates Environmental Group" supports the Circular Economy through a leading dialogue on waste valorisation
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Representing the Proposition, The Millennium School, Dubai argued that, 'Waste valorisation enables resource efficiency, reduces landfill dependence and is central to closing the loop in a circular economy.' Speaking for the Opposition, JSS International School, Dubai countered, 'Waste valorisation alone is insufficient; without systemic change in consumption, design and infrastructure, circularity cannot be fully achieved and realised.' This engaging youth segment reflects EEG's strong commitment to environmental education and to nurturing the next generation of sustainability champions. While the expert panel discussion brought together a stellar lineup of natinal and regional sustainability thought leaders and innovators, including Mr. Tim Clarke, CEO of Warsan Waste Management Company; Ms. Ceylan Üren, Co-Founder & Chief Development Officer of The Waste Lab; Dr. Udayan Banerjee, Advisor to the CEO of Cleanco Waste Treatment LLC; Prof. Mohammednoor Al Tarawneh from UAE University; Ms. Muna Al Nahdi, Director of Sustainability & Consultancy at FARNEK; Eng. Ahmed Moosa Alkhajeh, Head of Waste Project Design and Implementation Section - Waste Strategy and Projects Department, Dubai Municipality; and Dr. Daker AlRabaya, CEO of Waste Processing & Recycling Business at BEEAH Group. The session delivered a breadth of ideas, with dynamic, back-and-forth exchanges that elevated the discussion beyond expectations. Speakers shared sector-specific updates, highlighted key challenges, and explored the potential for cross-sector collaboration—captivating the audience and sparking significant interest. They addressed not only the complex issues surrounding waste management but also constructively challenged and supported one another's viewpoints, contributing to a dialogue that was open, inclusive, and free from bias. A robust audience Q&A segment followed, with questions coming from attendees of all backgrounds, including engaged high school students. If not for time constraints, the discussion could have continued well beyond the allotted hour, as each speaker had more to contribute. The discussion witnessed attendance from private sector, government agencies, schools, media, VIPs and foreign dignitaries. 'The conversation during the panel discussion was a vital step towards mobilising actionable solutions to ensure that waste is no longer seen as a burden, but as a valuable resource that drives innovation, economic opportunity, and environmental resilience,' said Mrs. Habiba Al Mar'ashi, Co-Founder & Chairperson of EEG who moderated the session. She added: 'Bringing together voices from industry, government, academia and youth created a collaborative platform to accelerate the region's transition to a truly circular economy.' Throughout the session, participants explored the environmental, economic and social impacts of waste valorisation, the development of cutting-edge technologies such as the Warsan Waste-to-Energy facility, and Dubai's bold vision to achieve zero landfill by 2030. The dialogue underscored the UAE's role as a regional pioneer in embedding circular economy principles into national sustainability frameworks. Key themes that emerged during the discussion included the importance of public-private partnerships in accelerating the shift from waste to resource; the growing relevance of innovative reuse, recycling and upcycling models; and the central role of policy, behavioural change and education in enabling circularity. Experts also stressed the need for robust metrics, system design, and investment in innovation ecosystems to scale up impact and achieve long-term sustainability goals. Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal #9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Goal #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, Goal #12: Responsible Consumption and Production, Goal #13: Climate Action, and Goal #17: Partnerships for the Goals, this panel reaffirmed the urgent need for integrated, inclusive and forward-thinking approaches to address global environmental challenges and unlock a regenerative, circular future for the UAE and beyond. This impactful forum was made possible through the generous support of McDonald's UAE and Accenture, who served as the Main Sponsors—demonstrating their long-standing commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable innovation. Farnek contributed as the Support Contributor, reinforcing their leadership in environmental solutions. The event also benefited from the hospitality of Al Khoory Hotel, who provided catering services, and was enriched by the ongoing collaboration with EEG's Panel Discussions Partner, the Arabia CSR Network. Additional support came from prominent organisations including the Emirates Green Building Council, the Clean Energy Business Council, and the Swiss Business Council, showcasing a unified drive toward cross-sector environmental impact. Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) is a professional working group established in 1991 in the United Arab Emirates. It is devoted to protecting the environment through the means of education, action programmes and community involvement. EEG is actively encouraged and supported by concerned local and federal government agencies. It is the 1st environmental NGO in the world to be ISO 14001 certified and the only organisation of its kind in the UAE with accredited status to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). EEG is a member of the UN Global Compact, the Global Urban Development (GUD) and the Global Investors for Sustainable Alliance (GISD). It is also a member of the One Planet Network under the programme of Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) and its Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Committee (MAC) and Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML), EEG is a full Member (voting) of World Packaging Organisation (WPO).