Sharjah welcomes Korean delegation to boost cooperation in AI
During the visit, His Excellency Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director General of Sharjah Digital Department, welcomed the Korean delegation at a meeting held at the House of Wisdom. The meeting was attended by His Excellency Rashid Ali Al Ali, Director General of Sharjah Communications Technologies Authority, His Excellency Shin Donghyup, Consul of the Republic of Korea for Science and ICT in Dubai and Eng. Majid Almadhloum, Sharjah Digital Department Advisor.
The visiting delegation included Ok-hyun Kang, General Director of the Digital City Bureau at the Seoul Metropolitan Government; Jung Yoon Lee, External Relations Manager at the Digital Policy Division; Man Gi Kim, President of the Seoul AI Foundation (SAF); Seong Hwan Ju, Head of the AI Innovation & Business Division at SAF; and Boris J. Kim, Senior Manager of the Policy Cooperation Team at SAF.
During the meeting, both parties discussed opportunities for collaboration on joint AI-driven projects, exchanged expertise in smart city development, and explored standout initiatives and best practices from both parties in digital transformation and digital infrastructure.
His Excellency Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi underscored the significance of the visit as a key milestone in establishing strategic partnerships with one of the world's leading cities in digital transformation and artificial intelligence. He welcomed the opportunity to exchange insights, experiences, and expertise with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul AI Foundation, stating that such collaboration 'represents the most effective path toward achieving sustainable development that benefits our communities and aligns with our shared aspirations.' His Excellency expressed optimism that the visit would lay the groundwork for long-term collaboration between Sharjah and Seoul, opening the door to innovative projects and expanded opportunities in AI and smart city development.
For his part, Man Gi Kim highlighted Sharjah's importance as a strategic partner in advanced technology sectors, stating: 'We regard Sharjah as one of Seoul's key partner cities in the field of digital and AI-driven urban innovation, and that is why we have extended an official invitation to Sharjah Digital Department to participate in Smart Life Week 2025 in Seoul. We trust this occasion will further solidify and elevate the longstanding relationship between the Seoul AI Foundation and Sharjah Digital Department into a more strategic and action-oriented collaboration.'
Smart Life Week 2025 is recognised as one of Asia's premier innovation platforms and South Korea's leading technology events, underscoring the Korean delegation's acknowledgement of Sharjah's pioneering role in digital transformation.
Following the meeting, the organising team guided the delegation on a field tour of key urban development sites across the emirate, including University City and the Aljada project. The tour showcased Sharjah's advanced smart infrastructure and urban planning efforts, forming the backbone of its ongoing digital transformation journey.
The visit concluded at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), where the delegation explored cutting-edge research initiatives and smart labs driving innovation and entrepreneurship, most notably the SOI Lab, which focuses on artificial intelligence applications.
This strategic visit reaffirms Sharjah's commitment to fostering global partnerships and elevating its international leadership in digital transformation, aligning with its vision to build a sustainable, innovative digital city.
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Middle East Eye
2 days ago
- Middle East Eye
How Sudan and Libya's triangle border region became a hotbed of crime and war
On 12 June, Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary announced that it had taken control of the Sudanese portion of the triangle border region that straddles Sudan, Libya and Egypt. This mysterious, desert region has for a long time been hidden away from the eyes of the world, a lawless place where violence and smuggling - of gold, weapons, drugs and people - thrive. Open war now besets the triangle. This hot, dry land is a battlefield where governments, militias, and armed groups struggle, with the backing of foreign powers, for control. The statement released by the RSF, which has been at war with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) since April 2023, prompting 12 million people to flee their homes, gave a clue as to the value of this remote place. 'The importance of this victory stems from the strategic location of Almuthallath 'Triangle' area, which serves as a crucial economic and border crossing point between the three countries,' the RSF said. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters 'It functions as a vital hub for trade and transportation between North and East Africa. It is also rich in natural resources, including oil, gas, and minerals.' Prior to the RSF capture of the Sudanese component of the triangle, the journey from Sudan to Libya through it cost about 250,000 Sudanese pounds (around $100) and took close to a day. Before the RSF seized the area in June, bus drivers and smugglers openly advertised the trips. Now they do not. In Gaddafi's wake In March 2011, just months before Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was assassinated, Libya announced that it had gold reserves then worth more than $6bn. After the fall of the Libyan strongman and with instability across the region, including in Chad, the Central African Republic and Sudan's Darfur, which has witnessed fighting for most of the 21st century, a battle for control ensued. One artisanal gold miner, who spent a decade in the triangle region, described it as a place to make money, not to settle. The only loyalty found there, he said, was to money. 'Both the RSF and the SAF have sought to control the lucrative and essential illicit fuel trade from southern Libya' - Chatham House report From 2012, gold mining flourished in the area, with thousands of small-time miners from across the Sahel region going to the triangle to do business. At the same time, other illegal trades were thriving, including the smuggling of stolen goods like cars and drugs, as well as the trafficking of people to Europe from African countries through the Mediterranean. For Suliman Baldo, an expert on Sudan and the economic and political dynamics of the region, the economy of the triangle region must be seen as part of a Sahel economy that depends on the militarisation and extraction of gold and other metals. 'Two serious factors have intersected with the above to create the current chaos in the triangle area, one is the fall of Gaddafi and the second is the Sudanese war that badly affected Darfur, Chad and other regional countries,' Baldo, who is the executive director of the Sudan Transparency and Policy Tracker, told Middle East Eye. A Chatham House report titled 'Gold and the war in Sudan' found smuggling via Libya, conversely, has reflected the relatively stable - if criminal - political, economic and security conditions established by eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar's Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF). This stands in contrast to the situation in Sudan. 'Both the RSF and the SAF have sought to control the lucrative and essential illicit fuel trade from southern Libya, which has scaled up dramatically since 2022 as a result of elite capture of Libya's oil sector,' the report said. 'Demand and the cost of fuel increased during the war in Sudan as a result of scarcity. The LAAF and its local Subul al-Salam allies likely supplied the RSF with fuel before the war and shortly after it began, as part of regular trading and security assistance, and at the same time, small amounts of gold from al-Muthaleth were smuggled via Libya,' it said. Subul al-Salam, a Libyan militia allied to Haftar, was part of the RSF's recent success in the triangle. Opportunity for the RSF The Sudanese army, RSF, Libyan and Chadian armed groups have exchanged control of the triangle region ever since Gaddafi's fall. Military sources said the SAF's presence in the region was weak and that it depended on the RSF, which was formed from the government-backed Janjaweed militias that terrorised Darfur and brought into the Sudanese state under Omar al-Bashir in 2013, from 2016 onwards in the wild northwestern desert. Having previously been part of the same military, the SAF and RSF went to war and shifted their alliances in the region, with the army joining with rebels from Darfur and the RSF working separately with Haftar. 'The RSF profited the most from the triangle as they extracted gold from the region and got involved in other trades there' - Sudanese researcher 'Darfur rebel movements, namely the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and Sudan Liberation movement (SLM), have had a presence in southern Libya since the regime of Gaddafi and after the eruption of the war in Sudan, the RSF got a foothold in southern Libya and created a wide network of interests with Libyan armed groups, including human trafficking, the smuggling of weapons, fuel and other criminal activities,' Islam Alhaj, a Libyan political analyst, told MEE. The RSF flourished in the desert, rewarded by Bashir's government and the European Union (EU), which was interested in stopping the flow of refugees and migrants from Africa through the region to the Mediterranean. Military sources and miners living in the triangle told MEE that the RSF opened three military bases at Chevrolet, Albarly and Alshasy in the same area. Here, they claimed to be stopping human trafficking and the flow of people north to Europe. 'The RSF profited the most from the triangle as they extracted gold from the region and got involved in other trades there,' one Sudanese researcher said. War in Sudan At the beginning of Sudan's war in April 2023, the army took control of Chevrolet and the other RSF bases in the triangle region as the paramilitary withdrew fighters to focus on capturing the capital Khartoum. 'During this period, Darfur groups engaged in widespread gold mining and trade in weapons, fuel and other logistics, which led to confrontations between these forces and the Libyan militias in southern Libya,' a military source and a miner in the region said. Though it had withdrawn from the triangle, the RSF maintained a presence there through its alliance with Libyan militias connected to Haftar, who were able to facilitate the flow of weapons from the UAE, the miners told MEE. UAE and Haftar behind RSF capture of Sudan's triangle border region Read More » Ismail Hassan, a miner in the region, said that after the Darfur rebel groups joined the SAF in November 2023, the cooperation they had previously had with the RSF ended. There were many confrontations between the SAF-allied Joint Forces and the RSF as the former sought to cut supplies coming in from Libya and the two sides fought for control. The Joint Forces were able to cut some of the RSF's supplies coming into Darfur, while the paramilitary began its siege of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, over 15 months ago. The city is the last army-controlled area in the vast western region of Sudan. 'The tension has been transferred to the triangle area and clashes have erupted between the Joint Forces and the Libyan militias that allied with Haftar and provided the support to the RSF, including the opening of the camps inside the Libyan territories,' Hassan said. In one ambush operation, Joint Forces arrested Colombian mercenaries who came to fight with the RSF, with the support of the UAE, in Darfur. What next? Sources on both sides of the Sudanese war see this as a crucial moment, with fighting raging across the strategically vital Kordofan region and the army plotting an invasion of Darfur, which is almost entirely held by the RSF. A Libyan source said that the battle for the triangle region would also intensify, as external actors, including the UAE, seek to secure control of the area for their preferred force. Egypt hosts secret talks between Sudan's Burhan and Libya's Haftar in bid to mend ties, sources say Read More » 'The battle to control the desert is expected to increase in the coming times as the two sides are massing troops and preparing for a massive round of war,' the source, who cannot be named for security reasons, said. 'These are porous borders, and for decades, there has been instability across this region related to the movement of irregular forces. I do not see this changing as long as both Sudan and Libya remain divided and contested spaces,' Cameron Hudson, a former US diplomat and expert on the region, said. 'I think it's impossible to separate the financial and the political reasons for the conflict. They both drive each other.' Alhaj, the Libyan analyst, pointed to the impact the triangle has on the whole region. 'The triangle region would threaten the security in Libya and Sudan and the Sahel region at large,' he said.
Arabian Post
3 days ago
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DHL Express and Cathay Group sign new sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) deal to drive production and uptake in Asia
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(L to R): Samuel Lee, General Manager for Central Asia Hub, DHL Express; Wai Kheong Loh, Vice President of Commercial – Hong Kong & Macau, DHL Express; Peter Bardens, Senior Vice President for Network Operations and Aviation – Asia Pacific, DHL Express; Tom Owen, Director Cargo, Cathay Group; Clarence Tai, Chief Operating Officer, Air Hong Kong; Grace Cheung, General Manager, Sustainability, Cathay Group 'This partnership marks the first SAF uplift on Air Hong Kong flights, a key milestone for Cathay as we continue to expand the SAF usage across our global network. SAF remains a core pillar of our strategy to address our carbon emissions, and collaboration is essential to scaling its use. We are excited to be working with like-minded partners like DHL Express to make SAF more accessible and scalable, particularly in Asia,' said Tom Owen, Director Cargo, Cathay. 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Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 400,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as 'The logistics company for the world'. DHL is part of DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 84.2 billion euros in 2024. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050. On the Internet: Follow us at: About the Cathay Group Cathay is a leading premium travel lifestyle brand based in Hong Kong, offering products and services across four lines of business – Cathay Pacific, Cathay Cargo, HK Express and Lifestyle. Flights are provided by Cathay Pacific, the home airline of Hong Kong and a founding member of the oneworld global alliance. The Cathay Group also includes cargo division Cathay Cargo, low-cost carrier HK Express and various other subsidiaries. Cathay is a member of the Swire Group and is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKSE). For more information, please visit About Air Hong Kong Air Hong Kong is an express all-cargo carrier, principally operating express cargo services for DHL Express. The airline offers scheduled and charter services to 17 destinations in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Australia. Air Hong Kong was established in 1986 as Hong Kong's first all-cargo airline. 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Zawya
3 days ago
- Zawya
DHL Express and Cathay Group sign new sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) deal to drive production and uptake in Asia
DHL Express purchases 2,400 metric tons of SAF from Cathay Group to be used on flights operated by Air Hong Kong, an express all-cargo carrier and wholly owned subsidiary of Cathay. The SAF will be used on Air Hong Kong flights departing from Seoul Incheon, Tokyo Narita and Singapore Changi airports. The new agreement underscores both parties' commitment to lower-carbon air logistics and driving the production and use of SAF for the air cargo sector. HONG KONG SAR/SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 13 August 2025 - DHL Express and the Cathay Group have entered into a new sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) partnership that reinforces their shared commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the air cargo industry. Under the agreement, Cathay will supply DHL Express with 2,400 metric tons of SAF for international flights departing from three airports in Asia namely Seoul Incheon International Airport, Tokyo Narita International Airport, and Singapore Changi Airport. These flights are operated by Air Hong Kong, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Cathay Group, which principally operates express cargo services for DHL Express. Continuing through 2025, the partnership is expected to reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 7,190 metric tons —equivalent to the emissions of over 100 flights from Hong Kong to Singapore with an Airbus 330 freighter. "Sustainable aviation fuel currently accounts for less than 1% of the total global jet fuel consumption, yet air transport is one of our biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Our decision to expand our SAF usage in Asia with Cathay is another important step that we have taken to drive momentum in SAF production and demand," said Peter Bardens, Senior Vice President for Network Operations and Aviation – Asia Pacific, DHL Express. "DHL Express is at the forefront of SAF adoption, and we look forward to seeing more partners and customers join us on this journey to build a more robust SAF ecosystem in Asia. Our continued investment in this area aligns with DHL Group's Strategy 2030, which recognizes 'green logistics of choice' as one of the four bottom lines." This SAF deal builds on the long-standing partnership between DHL Express and the Cathay Group, including through Air Hong Kong. For more than two decades, Air Hong Kong has played a vital role in DHL Express's Asia Pacific network. This latest collaboration builds on that strong foundation and paves the way for deeper cooperation in advancing SAF. "This partnership marks the first SAF uplift on Air Hong Kong flights, a key milestone for Cathay as we continue to expand the SAF usage across our global network. SAF remains a core pillar of our strategy to address our carbon emissions, and collaboration is essential to scaling its use. We are excited to be working with like-minded partners like DHL Express to make SAF more accessible and scalable, particularly in Asia," said Tom Owen, Director Cargo, Cathay. This collaboration makes DHL Express the latest strategic partner of Cathay's Corporate SAF Program, an initiative launched in 2022 to support corporate partners in addressing greenhouse gas emissions from business travel and airfreight through the use of SAF. In 2024, the Corporate SAF Program enabled the use of over 6,000 metric tons of SAF, with a record 16 partners participating, including HSBC, AIA and Standard Chartered. Cathay has been steadily expanding its SAF efforts across the region. Earlier in 2025, the Group entered into an agreement with Sinopec to uplift SAF produced in the Chinese Mainland at Hong Kong International Airport, marking the first such export by Sinopec to Hong Kong. Additionally, Cathay has partnered with SK Energy to secure SAF supply in South Korea from 2025 to 2027. Apart from working closely with suppliers, the Group also co-initiated the Hong Kong Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition (HKSAFC) to collectively drive policy development and adoption of SAF locally. These initiatives reflect Cathay's mission to expand the use of SAF within its network and foster a regional SAF ecosystem. Investments in SAF are therefore critical to ensuring its availability on a long-term and predictable basis. DHL Express has also been a frontrunner in scaling SAF uptake globally, securing long-term SAF agreements with multiple partners, including Neste, bp, and World Energy. Earlier this year, DHL Express also partnered with Cosmo Oil Marketing to use SAF produced in Japan for flights departing the country. Most recently, DHL Express completed an agreement with Neste that comprises 7,400 metric tons of SAF for international flights departing from Singapore Changi Airport, further demonstrating the company's proactive approach to driving SAF demand and supply across the region. These efforts will also enhance DHL's understanding of how to transport these alternative fuels, as it is a segment under its Strategy 2030's key growth sector, "New Energy." DHL Group is developing end-to-end logistics solutions for eight segments: wind, solar, electric vehicle (EV) and batteries, battery and energy storage systems, EV charging, grid, alternative fuel and hydrogen. Hashtag: #DHL The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. DHL – The logistics company for the world DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 400,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as "The logistics company for the world". DHL is part of DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 84.2 billion euros in 2024. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050. On the Internet: Follow us at: About the Cathay Group Cathay is a leading premium travel lifestyle brand based in Hong Kong, offering products and services across four lines of business – Cathay Pacific, Cathay Cargo, HK Express and Lifestyle. Flights are provided by Cathay Pacific, the home airline of Hong Kong and a founding member of the one world global alliance. The Cathay Group also includes cargo division Cathay Cargo, low-cost carrier HK Express and various other subsidiaries. Cathay is a member of the Swire Group and is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKSE). For more information, please visit About Air Hong Kong Air Hong Kong is an express all-cargo carrier, principally operating express cargo services for DHL Express. The airline offers scheduled and charter services to 17 destinations in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Australia. Air Hong Kong was established in 1986 as Hong Kong's first all-cargo airline. Today, the carrier operates an all-Airbus A330F freighter fleet comprising 4 A330-200F and 10 A330-300P2F aircraft. Air Hong Kong is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cathay Pacific Airways Limited. DHL
