Latest news with #FourSeasonsHotel
Toronto Star
2 days ago
- Health
- Toronto Star
CANFAR event raises $320,000 to help end HIV
On April 30, the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR) hosted its 13th annual 'Can You Do Lunch?' fundraiser at the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto. More than 400 of the city's most passionate philanthropists and community leaders gathered in support of CANFAR's mission to end HIV in Canada. This year's event was the most successful to date, raising more than $320,000 for vital programming, including the distribution of HIV self-test and rapid kits for underserved and at-risk communities.
CairoScene
4 days ago
- Health
- CairoScene
Region's First Summit on Tobacco Harm Reduction to Be Held in Riyadh
The TNFS 2025 summit in Riyadh brings together over 100 experts to discuss tobacco-related public health strategies The Middle East's first high-level summit on tobacco harm reduction will soon be held in Riyadh, with TNFS 2025 taking place on May 29th at the Four Seasons Hotel – Kingdom Centre. The event coincides with World No Tobacco Day and is intended to advance dialogue around public health approaches to tobacco use. Organised by Badael Company, a Public Investment Fund (PIF) subsidiary, in partnership with the Quality-of-Life Program and Smart Health as the scientific advisor, the summit brings together more than 100 specialists from Saudi Arabia, the UK, Sweden, and other countries. Discussions will centre on smoking prevalence, regulatory frameworks, and strategies for reducing tobacco-related harm. The summit is expected to conclude with the signing of cooperation agreements between participating institutions and the introduction of a regional charter on tobacco harm reduction. Key topics on the agenda include public perception of nicotine products, the development of science-based preventive policies, and examples of international regulatory practices that could be adapted to local contexts. The event also aims to highlight the role of collaboration between public and private sectors in improving public health outcomes across the region.
Daily Tribune
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Gulf Diplomacy Key to Progress in US-Iran Negotiations, Says Pascual
TDT | Manama 'Understanding and Navigating the World (Dis)Order' was more than just the title of Carlos Pascual's keynote speech at the Middle East Petroleum & Gas Conference (MPGC) at the Four Seasons Hotel, it was a candid call to prepare for a new era shaped by global fractures, economic volatility, and energy insecurity. Pascual, Senior Vice President for Geopolitics and International Affairs at S&P Global, Cuban-American diplomat and the former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico and Ukraine, addressed an elite gathering of energy leaders, policy-makers, and strategists, laying out a stark but pragmatic vision of a world in flux, one where energy dynamics and geopolitical fault lines are no longer separate conversations, but deeply intertwined. From the Gulf to Ukraine In a series of engaging sideline discussions and his keynote address, Pascual stressed that energy markets cannot be viewed in isolation from global geopolitics. He warned of eroding U.S. credibility and the weakening of long-standing international alliances, citing this trend as a key force behind growing global polarization. The world, he said, is now increasingly shaped by transactional diplomacy and short-term victories rather than enduring multilateral solutions. On the ongoing conflict in Gaza and heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, Pascual pointed to the growing unpredictability and the need for long-term strategic thinking, warning that any solution rooted only in short-term gains would likely fail to produce lasting peace. Addressing the war in Ukraine, Pascual — who previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine — was blunt: 'There's no viable peace on the horizon.' He criticized the tendency to rush negotiations without first addressing fundamental concerns like security guarantees and post-war reconstruction. Strategic Patience Amid Shifting Alliances Turning his gaze back to the Gulf, Pascual explored the role of Saudi Arabia in shaping regional stability. While there are signs of economic optimism and diplomacy, he questioned whether these can evolve into lasting peace frameworks. On the Iran–U.S. nuclear negotiations, Pascual remained cautiously skeptical. "Nobody wants war — not Iran, not the U.S., not the Gulf countries. But a quick deal is unlikely," he said. He emphasized that the Gulf states' involvement and their willingness to engage Iran could shape the eventual outcome.
Daily Tribune
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Call for Balanced Energy Strategy: Bahrain Eyes SMRs and Offshore Wind as Part of Energy Diversification
TDT | Manama Mark Thomas, Group Chief Executive Officer of Bapco Energies, opened the 32nd Middle East Petroleum & Gas Conference (MPGC 2025) with a compelling keynote address, emphasizing the need for pragmatic, long-term planning in an era of 'unprecedented uncertainty.' Speaking at the Four Seasons Hotel in Manama, under the presence of H.E. Dr. Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, Thomas welcomed delegates to what he described as "the region's most enduring forum for energy dialogue," hosted by Bapco Energies in partnership with S&P Global Commodity Insights. 'People often say we live in uncertain times. But more than that, we live in unprecedented uncertainty,' Thomas remarked, setting the tone for a two-day conference focused on balancing traditional and renewable energy pathways in the Middle East.
Daily Tribune
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Tribune
"What's Fueling the Future?" Energy Experts Map Out the Region's Next Frontier
TDT | Manama Industry leaders gathered at the Middle East Petroleum and Gas Conference (MPGC 2025), held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Bahrain, to exchange insights on the evolving energy landscape, focusing on the theme 'Navigating the Energy Frontier: A Middle Eastern Perspective.' Opening the discussion, Alexander Van Veldhoven, Group Chief Strategy Officer at Bapco Energies, highlighted the pressing challenges in energy efficiency and infrastructure. 'Energy efficiency is crucial—but the practical concern right now is comparative pricing and land availability,' Van Veldhoven said. 'One solution could be sourcing land in Saudi Arabia to begin interconnection projects.' He also expressed skepticism about labeling gas as a transitional fuel, noting that hydrogen, while promising, becomes prohibitively expensive when it comes to transportation. 'For hydrogen to be viable, we must focus on affordable transport and supporting infrastructure,' he added. Joining the panel was Musaab Al-Mulla, Vice President of Market Analysis & Sustainability at Aramco, who emphasized the strategic importance of energy in economic transitions, particularly in emerging regions. 'Energy is at the heart of economic transformation,' Al-Mulla stated. He pointed to disparities in energy transitions across continents, particularly between India and Africa, as a sign of the complex path ahead. 'Our 2025 target is for renewables to make up 50% of our energy mix,' he revealed. 'By 2030, we plan to further scale up gas usage to meet growing demand.' The discussion reflected the Middle East's critical role in balancing traditional energy exports with ambitious sustainability targets, underscoring the importance of regional cooperation, strategic planning, and investment in technology and infrastructure. MPGC 2025 continues to serve as a key platform for dialogue between policymakers, energy executives, and industry analysts, as the region works toward a more resilient and diversified energy future.
