Latest news with #AbdulrahmanAlOwais
Zawya
22-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
H.E. Al Owais delivers Arab Health Ministers' address at 78th World Health Assembly
Keeping up with global health developments and sharing successful practices Arab Health Ministers endorse Jeddah Declaration on Antimicrobial Resistance and Bahrain's pharmaceutical forum recommendations UAE's agreement with WHO to establish global logistics hub for emergency health response Arab Health Ministers convene to enhance coordination and improve health system performance Al Owais: The UAE is a regional and global leader, charting future-ready health strategies under the UAE Centennial 2071 vision Geneva, Switzerland: H.E. Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, delivered the unified address on behalf of the Council of Arab Ministers of Health at the 78th session of the World Health Assembly, in Geneva. Al Owais also led the UAE delegation participating in the global summit. The session was attended by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General and President of the assembly, alongside heads and members of delegations from WHO member states. The UAE's participation in the assembly follows the directives of its leadership to cement the country's leading role as a regional and global leader in healthcare. The UAE reiterated its commitment to supporting international efforts aimed at improving health services worldwide. Engagement in such international forums allows the UAE to keep up with global healthcare developments while exchanging expertise and best practices with nations across the world. This approach supports the country's ongoing efforts to develop the health system both locally and globally and strengthens the UAE's commitment to building a sustainable healthcare infrastructure that meets the needs of society and aligns with the nation's vision for the next 50 years. International health cooperation In his address, His Excellency extended his gratitude to the World Health Organisation (WHO) for its ongoing efforts to improve global health and advance the Sustainable Development Goals. He reaffirmed the Council of Arab Ministers of Health's support for international health cooperation and commended WHO regional offices for their role in assisting Arab nations in their journey towards building a healthier future. Turning to regional crises, Al Owais highlighted the pressing health challenges in Gaza, Sudan, Yemen, and the occupied Syrian Golan, emphasising the urgent need for international solidarity and concerted global action to address the humanitarian and health crises affecting these regions. During his speech, he praised the Jeddah Declaration on Antimicrobial Resistance, adopted during the 4th Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), and welcomed the outcomes of the Arab Forum for the Development of the Pharmaceutical and Vaccine Industry, hosted by Bahrain in May 2025. Regional and global leader MoHAP Minister stated that the UAE has become a regional and global leader in healthcare, setting a benchmark for readiness, adaptability, and future-focused governance as well as for responding swiftly to evolving challenges and shaping the future. He highlighted the UAE's success story in developing an integrated and sustainable health system, noting how the country has embraced digital technologies and forward-looking strategies to meet the world's highest standards, in line with the ambitious goals of the UAE Centennial Vision 2071. His Excellency noted that the UAE has made the health sector a top priority, laying out a clear vision for the future. By encouraging innovation and building up the sector's strengths, the country has strengthened its readiness to face new challenges. He highlighted that these dedicated efforts have resulted in an integrated healthcare system that lives up to the world's highest standards. Global emergency logistics centre Al Owais also addressed the UAE's partnership with the WHO to establish a global emergency logistics centre, designed to meet the growing need for rapid response to health emergencies around the world. He stressed that the UAE strongly believes that health is a fundamental right for everyone. On the sidelines of the session, Arab health ministers, joined by His Excellency Al Owais, held a meeting to discuss shared health challenges. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to continued Arab coordination in the health sector, strengthening collaboration to improve the performance of national health systems, expanding access to quality health services, and harnessing emerging technologies to promote the wellbeing of Arab communities.
Arabian Business
12-05-2025
- Health
- Arabian Business
UAE climbs human development rankings; life expectancy and education impress
The UAE has maintained its leading position among countries with 'very high human development' climbing 11 spots globally in the 2025 Human Development Index (HDI) report issued by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), compared to its 2021–2022 ranking. The UAE ranked 15th globally out of 193 countries covered by the report, outperforming nations including Canada, the United States, Japan, Australia, and Korea. It remains the only Arab country in the top 20 — a distinction reflecting its commitment to a comprehensive development vision that prioritises human wellbeing. Human development in the UAE The country's approach integrates healthcare, education, and quality of life, positioning it as a global model for sustainability and human capital development. The 2025 Human Development Report 'A matter of choice: people and possibilities in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI)', gave the UAE an HDI score of 0.94. According to the four main indicators: Life expectancy at birth in the UAE reached 82.9 years, aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 on 'Good Health and Well-being' Expected years of schooling stood at 15.6 Average years of schooling at 13, supporting SGD 4 on quality education. Gross national income per capita reached $71,142, contributing to SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, said the UAE's leading position reflects its sustained investment in a world-class healthcare system that promotes innovation and ensures high-quality services, aligned with the country's long-term vision for a healthy and sustainable future. Sara bint Yousef Al Amiri, Minister of Education, stressed that education has always been central to the UAE's development strategy. She highlighted the adoption of adaptive, forward-looking education policies designed to prepare future generations for competitiveness and innovation, particularly in fields such as artificial intelligence. Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, noted that the UAE's human-centric development model leverages healthcare, education, and innovation as pillars for a prosperous and inclusive future. She said the country's rise in the HDI rankings demonstrates proactive and future-ready policymaking that prioritizes human wellbeing alongside economic growth. The report underscored the growing impact of AI on human development, warning of widening gaps between high- and low-development countries and calling for flexible, human-focused strategies in healthcare, education, and living standards. It emphasised that human capital remains key in the digital age. The UAE also ranked third globally in net migration of AI-skilled professionals in 2023, based on LinkedIn data — underscoring its appeal as a global hub for AI talent. The report noted that high-income countries like the UAE are net beneficiaries of specialised talent, while lower-income nations face losses. It called for a cooperative digital economy where humans and AI work in tandem, with a focus on empowering people through knowledge and technology for inclusive and sustainable growth.
12-05-2025
- Health
UAE ranks 1st regionally, 15th globally in UN Human Development Index
The United Arab Emirates has maintained its leading position among countries with 'very high human development' climbing 11 spots globally in the 2025 Human Development Index (HDI) report issued by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), compared to its 2021–2022 ranking. The United Arab Emirates ranked 15th globally out of 193 countries covered by the report, outperforming nations including Canada, the United States, Japan, Australia, and Korea. It remains the only Arab country in the top 20 — a distinction reflecting its commitment to a comprehensive development vision that prioritises human wellbeing. The country's approach integrates healthcare, education, and quality of life, positioning it as a global model for sustainability and human capital development. The 2025 Human Development Report "A matter of choice: people and possibilities in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI)", gave the UAE an HDI score of 0.94. According to the four main indicators: life expectancy at birth in the UAE reached 82.9 years, aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 on 'Good Health and Well-being'; expected years of schooling stood at 15.6, and average years of schooling at 13, supporting SGD 4 on quality education. Gross national income per capita reached $71.142, contributing to SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth. Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, said the UAE's leading position reflects its sustained investment in a world-class healthcare system that promotes innovation and ensures high-quality services, aligned with the country's long-term vision for a healthy and sustainable future. Sara bint Yousef Al Amiri, Minister of Education, stressed that education has always been central to the UAE's development strategy. She highlighted the adoption of adaptive, forward-looking education policies designed to prepare future generations for competitiveness and innovation, particularly in fields such as artificial intelligence. Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, noted that the UAE's human-centric development model leverages healthcare, education, and innovation as pillars for a prosperous and inclusive future. She said the country's rise in the HDI rankings demonstrates proactive and future-ready policymaking that prioritizes human wellbeing alongside economic growth. The report underscored the growing impact of AI on human development, warning of widening gaps between high- and low-development countries and calling for flexible, human-focused strategies in healthcare, education, and living standards. It emphasised that human capital remains key in the digital age. The UAE also ranked third globally in net migration of AI-skilled professionals in 2023, based on LinkedIn data — underscoring its appeal as a global hub for AI talent. The report noted that high-income countries like the UAE are net beneficiaries of specialised talent, while lower-income nations face losses. It called for a cooperative digital economy where humans and AI work in tandem, with a focus on empowering people through knowledge and technology for inclusive and sustainable growth. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
12-05-2025
- Business
UAE Climbs to 15th in Global Human Development Rankings, Leading Arab World
The United Arab Emirates has surged 11 places to rank 15th globally in the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) 2025 Human Development Index (HDI), reaffirming its leadership among nations with very high human development. Out of 193 countries, the UAE outperformed major economies including Canada, the United States, Japan, and Australia. It remains the only Arab nation in the top 20, highlighting the country's long-term strategy focused on human wellbeing, innovation, and sustainability. The UAE achieved an HDI score of 0.94 in the 2025 report, which emphasized the importance of human potential in the age of artificial intelligence. Key indicators include a life expectancy of 82.9 years, 15.6 expected years of schooling, and a gross national income per capita of $71,142 — all contributing to the UAE's alignment with global Sustainable Development Goals. Health Minister Abdulrahman Al Owais attributed the achievement to sustained investments in high-quality, innovative healthcare. Education Minister Sara Al Amiri noted the country's future-focused policies designed to equip youth for an AI-driven world. Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, said the UAE's rise reflects a human-centric development model built on education, health, and innovation. The report also spotlighted the UAE's global position in attracting AI talent, ranking third worldwide in net migration of AI-skilled professionals in 2023. As the world adapts to rapid technological change, the UNDP stressed the need for inclusive strategies that empower people while integrating AI into daily life. The UAE's performance underscores its growing status as a model for balanced, forward-looking development in an increasingly digital world. News Source: Emirates News Agency
The National
29-04-2025
- Business
- The National
Abu Dhabi introduces facial recognition technology at hotel check-in desks
Abu Dhabi is to introduce facial recognition technology across its hotels to help reduce check-in times for guests and strengthen identification measures. The advanced system is now being piloted at a select number of hotels ahead of an initial roll-out at five-star properties in Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain Region, and Al Dhafra Region. A second phase of the strategy will target four-star hotels, with the biometric technology to then be gradually deployed at all hotels in the emirate. Authorities did not provide a time-frame for when the new facial recognition procedures will be fully introduced. The scheme, announced at the Arabian Travel Market event in Dubai, is being led by Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP). 'This initiative reflects our commitment to leveraging innovation to enhance the guest experience while maintaining the highest standards of safety and security for both guests and hospitality sector employees,' said Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, director general for tourism at DCT. 'By working closely with ICP and our hotel partners and national authorities, we are ensuring a seamless, safer and more connected journey for every visitor.' In April 2024, Abu Dhabi announced plans to invest more than $10 billion in infrastructure, as part of a new strategy to boost international visitor numbers and cultural activity. The Abu Dhabi Tourism Strategy 2030 aims to create 178,000 new jobs in the emirate, bringing the total number of jobs in the tourism and hospitality sectors to about 366,000 by the end of the decade. The UAE capital also aims to attract 39.3 million annual visitors as part of the master plan. This high-tech verification process will be used as proof of identification for both guests and hotel employees. The DCT is providing technical and training support to hotels to ensure the smooth operation of the programme, which aims to streamline both check-in and checkout procedures. The facial recognition system captures and analyses biometric data during guest check-in. The data is securely encrypted, retrieved from ICP and transmitted to a centralised database managed by DCT Abu Dhabi. Data will be gathered and used in accordance with the UAE's cybersecurity and data privacy regulations. This month, Abdulrahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention and Minister of State for FNC Affairs, outlined the work to harness biometrics – such as fingerprint and facial recognition technology – as an advanced identification measure for UAE residents, in support of a nationwide digital-first strategy. At the latest session of the Federal National Council, the minister set out the country's high-tech vision and steps being taken by the (ICP) to modernise identification procedures. The UAE has been taking steps to utilise new technology to bolster government efficiency and raise customer service standards. Biometric technology is widely used in airports in the Emirates. In July 2024, Abu Dhabi Airports announced details of a 'biometric smart travel' project to automate passenger registration at Zayed International Airport that will eliminate the need for travel documents and significantly cut processing time. Abu Dhabi Airports is partnering with the ICP to introduce the new system, Abu Dhabi Media office said. Data from the ICP will be used to automatically authenticate travellers with the help of biometric technology, eliminating the need for prior registration for departing passengers.
