
Dubai Humanitarian wins gold at Middle East and North Africa Stevie Awards
Dubai Humanitarian has won gold for 'Innovation in Technology' in the nonprofit category at the Middle East and North Africa Stevie Awards. The recognition honors Dubai Humanitarian's pioneering Humanitarian Logistics Databank, a digital platform transforming global aid coordination and delivery.
Developed to enhance emergency response efforts, the Humanitarian Logistics Databank is a first-of-its-kind platform that provides real-time visibility on lifesaving aid stockpiles across key humanitarian hubs, starting with Dubai, Italy, and Panama. Supported by customs authorities in each country, the platform streamlines aid operations, allowing response teams to quickly locate and mobilize critical supplies.
Giuseppe Saba, CEO and board member of Dubai Humanitarian, said: 'We are honored to receive this prestigious award, our second Stevie Award for the Humanitarian Logistics Databank. When we created this platform in 2017, our goal was to enhance the way aid is prepositioned, managed and deployed, enabling a faster, more coordinated response to crises worldwide. Humanitarian aid is often lifesaving, and as a proactive member and host of the humanitarian community, we must continuously evolve to meet the urgent needs of those we serve.'
The Middle East and North Africa Stevie Awards celebrate innovation and excellence across industries, recognizing organizations that drive meaningful change through groundbreaking initiatives. Dubai Humanitarian's achievement highlights the growing impact of digital transformation in the humanitarian sector, setting a new benchmark for efficiency and global collaboration.
Dubai Humanitarian, formerly known as the International Humanitarian City, is the largest humanitarian hub in the world. It was founded in 2003 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, to proactively support the efforts of the international humanitarian community.
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Arab News
19-04-2025
- Arab News
2010 - Burj Khalifa: The world's tallest tower
DUBAI: The day the Burj Khalifa officially opened, it stood as a sign of prosperity at a time when the world was on its knees, crippled financially by the worst recession of our lifetime. Dubai had just rung in the new year, waving a relieved farewell to a turbulent 2009, with this vast, new, 828-meter-tall building towering over the city, its roots held solid in the foundations of Dubai Mall, itself one of the biggest structures of its kind. Four days later, the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, on the anniversary of his accession, officially opened the world's tallest tower, originally named Burj Dubai and later renamed Burj Khalifa in honor of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose support helped complete it amid economic challenges. Those of us lucky enough to cover the story on Jan. 4, 2010, were given a sneak peek at the observation deck and a chance to take in the breathtaking views it offers, mist and haze permitting. We met executives from Emaar, the developers behind the tower, who spoke proudly of their achievement as the media formed a scrum around them. There was no mention of the impending name change at that point; they would not even reveal the closely guarded secret of the building's exact height. It was only later, during that evening's official opening ceremony and spectacular firework display, that these things were revealed. The front page of Arab News celebrated the opening of the Burj Khalifa, described by its developers as a 'vertical city.' Sheikh Mohammed had ordered construction of the building years earlier, when the global economy was in a much healthier state. It was clear even before the recession that Dubai needed to diversify its economy, moving away from a reliance on oil revenue, and the service and tourism industries seemed an obvious way forward. The previous holder of the record for world's tallest building was the Taipei 101, at 508 meters. It held the record for six years, from 2004 until 2010, but is now only the 11th-tallest. Sheikh Mohammed wanted an iconic symbol of Dubai that would be recognized around the world but he was not satisfied with just another skyscraper; simply building the world's tallest was not good enough, this one had to smash all existing records. In short, he was raising the bar. 'It started with a dream, and then a journey of seeing that dream every day getting built higher and higher,' Ahmad Al-Falasi, the executive director of Emaar, said of the project. The Burj Khalifa boasts the world's highest observation deck, with views of the world's largest choreographed fountain display. One side of the tower is fitted with the world's biggest lighting display. Inside are the highest apartments, restaurants and nightclub. Construction of the building, initially called Burj Dubai, begins. Still under construction, it surpasses Taipei 101 (509.2 m/1,671 ft) to become the tallest building in the world. The structure reaches 688 m (2,257 ft) and is confirmed as the tallest human-made structure ever built, surpassing the 646 m Warsaw Radio Mast, which stood from 1974 until its collapse in 1991. Dubai's housing crash threatens completion of project. Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum inaugurates the tower, announcing during the gala ceremony it has been renamed Burj Khalifa in honor of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, whose financial support helped ensure the project was completed. Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat officially certifies Burj Khalifa as world's tallest building. The Burj Khalifa hosts its first New Year's Eve fireworks display, establishing a tradition. When the tower was completed, its opening in 2010 was overshadowed by a financial crisis that began in 2007 and had taken a toll throughout the world, and Dubai was no exception. An Arab News editorial published the day after the official opening acknowledged the architectural achievements of the project but also reminded readers of the hardships being experienced everywhere, not least in Dubai. 'Burj Khalifa is a reminder of the vision which has driven the quite remarkable real estate development in the emirate (of Dubai),' it said. 'So at a time of profound pessimism and sky-high debt around the world, the sky-high Burj Khalifa, as it is called now, is a mighty finger pointing upward toward better and altogether more prosperous times.' The creation of the world's tallest tower naturally required great attention to detail, including details that ultimately save lives. For example, the building is actually a series of interwoven towers that end at different levels, meaning no single surface runs all the way from the ground to the top. The shape this creates prevents strong winds from causing vortexes that could cause the building to sway too much. The external glass was designed to reflect more than 70 percent of the sun's heat; without it, temperatures inside would be deadly during the summer. A 'faraday cage' style structure created for the exterior of the tower acts as a massive lightning conductor to prevent damage from electrical storms. And two vast chiller systems outside the tower pump cooled water into its air-conditioning systems. The structure features an escape network, including a lift that can travel 138 floors in less than a minute (the greatest distance traveled by any single lift in the world) within a shaft encased in fire-resistant concrete; effectively the Burj Khalifa's 'lifeboat' in case of emergency. There is also a series of safe refuges at intervals throughout the building, also encased in fire-resistant concrete and supplied with fresh air that can be delivered at high enough pressure to deflect smoke in the event of a fire. The design was so advanced and ambitious that the architects and engineers even had to rethink how to deal with the messy business of sewage. A straight drop down a pipe from the top would not work; waste created by the flush of a toilet at the top of the tower would have reached speeds of up to 160 kph by the time it arrived at the foot of the building. Therefore waste drops just a few floors at a time through a series of sound-proofed pipes and pumps, while super-pressured pumps send fresh water to a series of water tanks throughout the building. The Burj Khalifa was a first, in many respects, and will always mark the moment when architecture changed forever, though it seems likely to lose its world record a few years from now when Saudi Arabia's 1,000-meter-tall Kingdom Tower is completed.


Arab News
10-04-2025
- Arab News
UAE and India strengthen ties with 8 new cooperation agreements
MUMBAI: The UAE and India signed eight Memorandums of Understanding on Thursday across a broad range of sectors including infrastructure, healthcare, higher education, logistics and maritime services. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Dubai's crown prince and UAE defense minister, and Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal witnessed the signing at an event organized by Dubai Chambers in Mumbai. Sheikh Hamdan, who is on his first official visit to India, said the two nations were 'bound by a deep-rooted friendship and a shared dedication to shaping the future through innovation, opportunity, and sustainable growth.' He added they 'continue to build on a strong foundation of trust and collaboration,' guided by the vision of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. 'These MoUs broaden and deepen our strategic partnership in line with our mutual commitment to creating resilient economies, empowering communities, and advancing knowledge, technology and human development. Together, we are advancing a model of international cooperation that delivers real impact and long-term benefits for the people of our two countries,' said Sheikh Hamdan. Dubai Chambers signed three MoUs with leading Indian business bodies — the Confederation of Indian Industry, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and the Indian Merchants' Chamber — to support mutual market expansion, facilitate networking and promote participation in trade missions and exhibitions. The agreements aim to boost information-sharing and enhance bilateral trade. DP World signed two MoUs — one with Rail India Technical and Economic Service to develop advanced, tech-enabled supply chains and multimodal logistics infrastructure through the UAE-India Virtual Trade Corridor, and another between Drydocks World and Cochin Shipyard to jointly develop ship repair clusters in Kochi and Vadinar. In the education sector, Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad to establish a new campus in Dubai. The facility will initially open in Dubai International Academic City, with plans for a permanent campus by 2029. Healthcare collaboration was also a major focus. Dubai Health and key business figures from both countries signed an MoU to establish the UAE-India Friendship Hospital in Dubai, a philanthropic project offering inclusive healthcare services. Additionally, Dubai Medical University and the All India Institute of Medical Science signed a cooperation agreement to facilitate joint research, academic exchange and collaboration in digital health and artificial intelligence applications in medicine. Sheikh Hamdan said the continued growth in trade, investment and cooperation between the UAE and India highlighted the 'strategic depth of the relationship' and the 'vast potential' of their collaboration. He added: 'We look forward to accelerating progress in sectors that matter most for our collective future, building on the strong momentum we have achieved through frameworks like the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and the Bilateral Investment Treaty.'


Arab News
09-04-2025
- Arab News
India broadens cooperation with Dubai as emirate's crown prince visits
NEW DELHI: Indian authorities and businesses have expanded cooperation with Dubai during the emirate's crown prince's two-day state trip to India. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday for his first official visit, during which he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and members of his Cabinet. From the capital, he traveled to Mumbai for the Dubai-India Business Forum co-organized by the Dubai Chambers, the Confederation of Indian Industry, and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. 'Delighted that his first official visit to India coincides with the 100th anniversary year of the visit of his grandfather His Highness Sheikh Saeed to India,' Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal told the forum's participants. 'We witnessed the signing of MoUs focusing on future-ready supply chains and modernizing India's maritime infrastructure … I underlined our deep cultural, economic, and trade ties that have further strengthened in the last decade with high-level engagements between our leadership that (go) beyond the realm of diplomacy.' India's economic ties with the UAE, including Dubai, have grown rapidly since the 2022 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement came into power, eliminating trade barriers, lowering tariffs, and easing business operations. In 2024, the UAE ranked as India's third-largest global trade partner, following China and the US, with imports valued at $60.1 billion and exports at $37.8 billion. In Dubai in particular, India has emerged as a top investor. Last year alone, India's foreign direct investment into Dubai surged to over $3 billion. The most populous of the UAE's seven emirates, Dubai is also home to the majority of India's 4.3 million diaspora. 'Indian investors form a key part of Dubai's business landscape, with 72,651 active Indian companies registered as members of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce by the end of March 2025,' Mohammed Ali Rashed Lootah, CEO of Dubai Chambers, said during the Mumbai forum. 'Dubai holds a strategic position for Indian companies as a preferred investment destination due to its unique competitive advantages.' Venues for cooperation with the emirate were further explored during the business forum in Mumbai, which saw dozens of Dubai business leaders arriving during Sheikh Hamdan's visit and in which a new agreement between the Dubai Chambers and CII was signed. 'The forum focused on enhancing strategic economic opportunities between the two markets and was attended by more than 200 businesses from both sides. During the forum, many avenues were explored to enhance trade and investment opportunities (and) identify new opportunities to launch new joint ventures and strategic partnerships,' Manish Mohan, CII regional director-international, told Arab News. 'The MoU between CII and Dubai Chambers is significant in trying to see how we can improve and expand business between the Emirate of Dubai and India.' On the sidelines of Sheikh Hamdan's visit, India and Dubai also agreed to establish in Dubai the first overseas campuses of the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad and of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. 'This follows the inauguration of the first-ever campus of the IIT in the Middle East in Abu Dhabi last year,' the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement, adding that it also 'positions Dubai and the UAE as a key regional and global destination for eminent Indian educational institutions.' The new 100-bed India-UAE Friendship Hospital will also be established in Dubai to provide affordable healthcare to Indian workers. 'It is also a recognition of the contribution of millions of Indians for the development and growth of Dubai,' the ministry said. 'These initiatives will benefit the 4.3 million-strong Indian diaspora living in the UAE and around 9 million Indian diaspora in the Gulf region.'