Latest news with #Franco-Emirati
Gulf Today
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
French honour for Hoor Al Qasimi
Hoor Al Qasimi, President and Director of Sharjah Art Foundation, on Tuesday received the insignia of Officier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters), conferred by Nicolas Niemtchinow, Ambassador of France to the UAE, during a ceremony at The Flying Saucer, Sharjah. Since 1957, this award has honoured individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts. The insignia of the Order of Arts and Letters is an expression of France's recognition of those who have actively worked to promote art and culture both in France and abroad. Al Qasimi remarked, 'It is with great honour that I receive this award granted by the Embassy of France in the UAE. The insignia of Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters is a wonderful reflection of the collaborations and cultural exchanges that have shaped my work, in Sharjah, the UAE and internationally. It reaffirms the importance of continuing to build cultural dialogue through the arts. I accept this recognition, not only for myself, but for all those who have supported, guided and inspired me throughout my journey.' Nicolas Niemtchinow, Ambassador from France to the UAE and Jean-Christophe Paris, Consul-General of France in Dubai, together with French Embassy staff Stéphanie Salha, Adviser for Cooperation and Cultural action of the Embassy of France in the UAE and the Director of the Institut Français in the UAE and Marie Lozon de Cantelmi, Cultural Attaché, were present for the official conferment of the award. Niemtchinow comented, 'It is a great honour to award Her Excellency Sheikha Hoor Al Qassimi the insignia of Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters today in Sharjah. This award is a recognition of Sheikha Hoor's remarkable contribution to strengthening cultural and artistic ties between France and Sharjah and, more generally, between France and the UAE. Sheikha Hoor's commitment to Franco-Emirati friendship is further exemplified by her role within the Alliance Française of Sharjah. I also commend the Sharjah Biennial, which has become a reference in the world of contemporary art. Her Excellency Sheikha Hoor has always worked to showcase French and Francophone artists in this Biennial.' Also in attendance were a number of distinguished guests, including Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Government Relations Department; Sheikha Nawar Al Qassimi, Vice President of Sharjah Art Foundation; Sheikha Noora Al Mualla, Director of Learning and Research at Sharjah Art Foundation; Sheikha Rad Alqasimi, Secretary General of the International French Association in Sharjah; Audrey Leseigneur, Director of Alliance Française Sharjah; and Mona El-Mousfy, Adviser to the Sharjah Architecture Triennial. Alongside her role at Sharjah Art Foundation, Al Qasimi also serves as President of the International Biennial Association; President of The Africa Institute, Sharjah; Director of the Sharjah Architecture Triennial; head of Sharjah's Global Studies University; and President of the Sharjah Creative Quarter. She is also the Artistic Director of the upcoming 6th Aichi Triennale (2025) and the 25th Biennale of Sydney (2026). WAM
Emirates 24/7
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Emirates 24/7
Hoor Al Qasimi recognised as Officer of Order of Arts, Letters by France
Hoor Al Qasimi, President and Director of Sharjah Art Foundation, today received the insignia of Officier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters), conferred by Nicolas Niemtchinow, Ambassador of France to the UAE, during a ceremony at The Flying Saucer, Sharjah. Since 1957, this award has honoured individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts. The insignia of the Order of Arts and Letters is an expression of France's recognition of those who have actively worked to promote art and culture both in France and abroad. Al Qasimi remarked, 'It is with great honour that I receive this award granted by the Embassy of France in the UAE. The insignia of Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters is a wonderful reflection of the collaborations and cultural exchanges that have shaped my work, in Sharjah, the UAE and internationally. It reaffirms the importance of continuing to build cultural dialogue through the arts. I accept this recognition, not only for myself, but for all those who have supported, guided and inspired me throughout my journey.' Nicolas Niemtchinow, Ambassador from France to the UAE and Jean-Christophe Paris, Consul-General of France in Dubai, together with French Embassy staff Stéphanie Salha, Advisor for Cooperation and Cultural action of the Embassy of France in the UAE and the Director of the Institut Français in the UAE and Marie Lozon de Cantelmi, Cultural Attaché, were present for the official conferment of the award. Niemtchinow comented, 'It is a great honor to award Her Excellency Sheikha Hoor Al Qassimi the insignia of Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters today in Sharjah. This award is a recognition of Sheikha Hoor's remarkable contribution to strengthening cultural and artistic ties between France and Sharjah and, more generally, between France and the UAE. Sheikha Hoor's commitment to Franco-Emirati friendship is further exemplified by her role within the Alliance Française of Sharjah. I also commend the Sharjah Biennial, which has become a reference in the world of contemporary art. Her Excellency Sheikha Hoor has always worked to showcase French and Francophone artists in this Biennial.' Also in attendance were a number of distinguished guests, including Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Government Relations Department; Sheikha Nawar Al Qassimi, Vice President of Sharjah Art Foundation; Sheikha Noora Al Mualla, Director of Learning and Research at Sharjah Art Foundation; Sheikha Rad Alqasimi, Secretary General of the International French Association in Sharjah; Audrey Leseigneur, Director of Alliance Française Sharjah; and Mona El-Mousfy, Advisor to the Sharjah Architecture Triennial. Alongside her role at Sharjah Art Foundation, Al Qasimi also serves as President of the International Biennial Association; President of The Africa Institute, Sharjah; Director of the Sharjah Architecture Triennial; head of Sharjah's Global Studies University; and President of the Sharjah Creative Quarter. She is also the Artistic Director of the upcoming 6th Aichi Triennale (2025) and the 25th Biennale of Sydney (2026). Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Sharjah 24
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Hoor Al Qasimi recognised as Officer of Order of Arts, Letters
Since 1957, this award has honoured individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts. The insignia of the Order of Arts and Letters is an expression of France's recognition of those who have actively worked to promote art and culture both in France and abroad. Al Qasimi remarked, 'It is with great honour that I receive this award granted by the Embassy of France in the UAE. The insignia of Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters is a wonderful reflection of the collaborations and cultural exchanges that have shaped my work, in Sharjah, the UAE and internationally. It reaffirms the importance of continuing to build cultural dialogue through the arts. I accept this recognition, not only for myself, but for all those who have supported, guided and inspired me throughout my journey.' His Excellency Nicolas Niemtchinow, Ambassador from France to the UAE and Jean-Christophe Paris, Consul General of France in Dubai, together with French Embassy staff Stéphanie Salha, Advisor for Cooperation and Cultural action of the Embassy of France in the UAE and the Director of the Institut Français in the UAE and Marie Lozon de Cantelmi, Cultural Attaché, were present for the official conferment of the award. Niemtchinow comented, 'It is a great honor to award Her Excellency Sheikha Hoor Al Qassimi the insignia of Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters today in Sharjah. This award is a recognition of Sheikha Hoor's remarkable contribution to strengthening cultural and artistic ties between France and Sharjah and, more generally, between France and the UAE. Sheikha Hoor's commitment to Franco-Emirati friendship is further exemplified by her role within the Alliance Française of Sharjah. I also commend the Sharjah Biennial, which has become a reference in the world of contemporary art. Her Excellency Sheikha Hoor has always worked to showcase French and Francophone artists in this Biennial.' Also in attendance were a number of distinguished guests, including His Excellency Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Government Relations Department; Her Excellency Sheikha Nawar Al Qassimi, Vice President of Sharjah Art Foundation; Her Excellency Sheikha Noora Al Mualla, Director of Learning and Research at Sharjah Art Foundation; Her Excellency Sheikha Rad Alqasimi, Secretary General of the International French Association in Sharjah; Audrey Leseigneur, Director of Alliance Française Sharjah; and Mona El-Mousfy, Advisor to the Sharjah Architecture Triennial. Alongside her role at Sharjah Art Foundation, Al Qasimi also serves as President of the International Biennial Association; President of The Africa Institute, Sharjah; Director of the Sharjah Architecture Triennial; head of Sharjah's Global Studies University; and President of the Sharjah Creative Quarter. She is also the Artistic Director of the upcoming 6th Aichi Triennale (2025) and the 25th Biennale of Sydney (2026). About Sharjah Art Foundation Sharjah Art Foundation is an advocate, catalyst and producer of contemporary art within the Emirate of Sharjah and the surrounding region, in dialogue with the international arts community. The Foundation advances an experimental and wide-ranging programmatic model that supports the production and presentation of contemporary art, preserves and celebrates the distinct culture of the region and encourages a shared understanding of the transformational role of art. The Foundation's core initiatives include the long-running Sharjah Biennial, featuring contemporary artists from around the world; the annual March Meeting, a convening of international arts professionals and artists; grants and residencies for artists, curators and cultural producers; ambitious and experimental commissions and a range of travelling exhibitions and scholarly publications. Established in 2009 to expand programmes beyond the Sharjah Biennial, which launched in 1993, the Foundation is a critical resource for artists and cultural organisations in the Gulf and a conduit for local, regional and international developments in contemporary art. The Foundation's deep commitment to developing and sustaining the cultural life and heritage of Sharjah is reflected through year-round exhibitions, performances, screenings and educational programmes in the city of Sharjah and across the Emirate, often hosted in historic buildings that have been repurposed as cultural and community centres. A growing collection reflects the Foundation's support of contemporary artists in the realisation of new work and its recognition of the contributions made by pioneering modern artists from the region and around the world. Sharjah Art Foundation is a legally independent public body established by Emiri Decree and supported by government funding, grants from national and international nonprofits and cultural organisations, corporate sponsors and individual patrons. Hoor Al Qasimi serves as President and Director. All exhibitions are free and open to the public. About Sharjah Sharjah is the third largest of the seven United Arab Emirates and the only one bridging the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Reflecting the deep commitment to the arts, architectural preservation and cultural education embraced by its ruler, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Sharjah is home to more than 20 museums and has long been known as the cultural hub of the United Arab Emirates. In 1998, it was named UNESCO's 'Arab Capital of Culture' and has been designated the UNESCO 'World Book Capital' for the year 2019.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
France and UAE partner on 1GW AI data centre
The government of France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed on a joint framework agreement for a new 1GW AI data centre. The project represents investments between $30bn and $50bn, reported Reuters. The deal has been reached during a meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and his Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. The framework agreement outlines investments from a consortium of Franco-Emirati entities, with the objective of establishing a 1GW AI campus in France. A formal announcement regarding the first tranche of investment is scheduled for the Choose France 2025 Summit. As part of the agreement, the countries seek to enhance cooperation in AI, focusing on joint projects and investments aimed at strengthening the AI value chain. This includes funding for AI-driven initiatives in both France and the UAE, as well as the procurement of advanced semiconductor chips, development of data centres, and talent cultivation. Additionally, the agreement provides for the creation of virtual data embassies, which will support sovereign AI and cloud infrastructure advancements in both nations. Meanwhile, the French government reportedly confirmed that it has identified 35 locations suitable for hosting AI data centres. In April 2024, the UAE's Technology Innovation Institute introduced next generation of its Falcon AI models which is said to outperform Meta's Llama 3 model. Falcon 2 11B and 2 11B VLM were released as open source, making their code accessible to developers globally with unrestricted access. Falcon 2 11B VLM features visual-to-language capabilities. This allows analysing images and generate captions to describe the contents of an image. "France and UAE partner on 1GW AI data centre" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Khaleej Times
07-02-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE, France to build 1-gigawatt AI data centre: What we know about this mega tech project
In a big move into the global future of artificial intelligence (AI), the UAE is collaborating with France to develop a 1GW AI data centre. The UAE will invest billions of euros into the mega 'campus' that is set to become the largest such AI facility in Europe, the French presidency said on Thursday. The announcement comes soon after President Sheikh Mohamed arrived in Paris for a state visit. The establishment of the centre was part of a larger AI agreement signed between the Emirati leader and French President Emmanuel Macron. "The two leaders expressed their desire to create a strategic partnership in the field of AI and committed to exploring collaborations on projects and investments supporting the development of the AI value chain," a joint Franco-Emirati statement said. AI data centres are slated to stock data and provide the enormous energy required for the new technology. The UAE-France agreement was inked as global experts began debating the threats and promise of AI at a gathering in Paris on Thursday and Friday, ahead of a summit of world leaders on the fast-moving technology. Here's what we know about this artificial intelligence investment: How much will it cost? The centre will be the core of a new AI "campus" and will have up to a gigawatt of capacity, "which represents investments of 30 to 50 billion euros", the French presidency said in a statement. What will the investments include? The two governments said the investments would be in both French and Emirati AI. It will include: The acquisition of cutting-edge chips Data centres Talent development The establishment of virtual data embassies to enable the establishment of sovereign AI and cloud infrastructures in both countries. Where will the major AI data centre be built? Based on the UAE Government's statement on state-run news agency WAM, the '1GW AI Campus' will be built in France. The French government earlier on Thursday said it had located 35 sites to host AI data centres. An announcement on the first investments will be made at the Choose France summit later this year. What does this project mean for the UAE and France? Considering the scope of activities and the size of infrastructure laid out in the UAE-France agreement, this collaboration highlights the "strength and dynamism" of the relationship between the two countries. The two leaders agreed to closely monitor the development of these AI cooperation projects. The goal is to explore collaborations on projects and investments that support the development of the AI value chain. What we know about the upcoming AI summit in France The February 10-11 summit aims to put France and Europe on the AI map as they try to rival the US and China, which have taken a lead on the energy-intensive technology. Thousands are expected at the Paris event, which aims to find common ground on a technology that has upset many business sectors in less than two years -- as well as to keep France and Europe on the map as credible contenders in the AI race. (With inputs from Reuters, AFP, WAM)
