Latest news with #SARAALZAABI
Al Etihad
8 hours ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
How Abu Dhabi's Family Care Authority helps human trafficking survivors start anew
31 July 2025 00:50 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)With the nation's firm commitment to combatting human trafficking, Abu Dhabi's Family Care Authority (FCA) steps up to the challenge of protecting the victims and helping survivors rebuild their as a member of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, actively participates in the UAE's unified response to such 'grave violation of human rights', as the UN put World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, observed on July 30, FCA spoke to Aletihad on how the UAE brings together various sectors — law enforcement, protection entities, and service providers — in its fight against human Al Ameemi, Director General of FCA, said the authority has been supporting efforts to advance early intervention and strengthen protection services for the July, collaborative efforts led to the establishment of the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). By streamlining the process of identifying, referring, and supporting human trafficking victims, the NRM enables 'timely and effective coordination among agencies and institutions'.Prevention begins with law enforcement entities identifying the victims, Al Ameemi said. Once referred, FCA steps in to deliver a comprehensive suite of services — including safe shelter, medical and psychological care, legal support, as well as social reintegration.'By working through the NRM and in close coordination with all relevant stakeholders, Family Care Authority helps ensure that victims receive the necessary protection and care,' Al Ameemi protecting victims, the authority implements a 'systemic integration' approach.'Integration marks a major step in unifying care under one umbrella ... By consolidating shelter services, abuse prevention, and anti-trafficking operations, Family Care Authority can deliver more effective, centralised, and trauma-informed care,' Al Ameemi unified approach boosts FCA's global engagement and service quality while reinforcing the UAE's leadership in family welfare. Full Rehabilitation JourneyWhile FCA is well prepared to provide emergency assistance to victims, it goes the extra mile by helping survivors get back on their feet. 'Under the Family Care Authority, survivors are supported through a full rehabilitation journey,' Al Ameemi said. 'This includes mental health and social support, vocational training, legal guidance, and reintegration into their communities or voluntary relocation with partner support such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).'The UAE's support services for trafficking victims are accessible to everyone — regardless of nationality, age, gender, or background."The Family Care Authority provides comprehensive assistance including protection, rehabilitation, and prevention services to every victim of human trafficking. These services are designed to ensure that all victims receive equitable care and support without discrimination.' Dial 800 SAVE to report human trafficking, abuseTo advance early intervention, FCA runs a campaign called 'United Against Human Trafficking', through which it raises public awareness and promotes the national reporting hotline 800 SAVE (800-7283). 'Established in 2011, the hotline operates 24/7, ensuring continuous accessibility for victims and concerned individuals. Anyone suspecting human trafficking or abuse should immediately call the national hotline at 800-SAVE (800-7283),' Al Ameemi hotline ensures reports are swiftly processed and referred to authorities for immediate action. 'Behind each call is a trained team that activates a survivor-centred case management system, covering referral, emergency care, mental health support, legal guidance, and long-term reintegration planning.' Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
From solar rooftops to carbon capture: UAE powers Net Zero future through innovation and a clear strategy, say experts
30 July 2025 00:49 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI) With the UAE sprinting towards Net Zero, innovation, policy and public engagement are driving the nation closer to a low-carbon future, experts across industries have told Aletihad . A detailed, nationwide action plan has been set for the UAE to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 – and power has been identified as one of the six sectors at the heart of the provider Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE), which serves the Northern Emirates, empowers its communities to actively participate in the energy Distributed Solar System (DSS) initiative – in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure – enables residents, businesses, and agricultural entities to become 'prosumers'. Through the EtihadWE's rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems, its prosumers are able to generate clean solar energy and contribute some surplus back to the grid. 'This approach delivers tangible environmental benefits. While the full impact on carbon emissions is subject to ongoing measurement, the early adoption rates, positive feedback, and growing number of certified installations are highly encouraging,' Eng. Yousif Ahmed Al Ali, CEO of EtihadWE, told Aletihad . 'This initiative directly contributes to the UAE's ambitious clean energy targets and underscores our commitment to a sustainable future, one rooftop at a time.'Leveraging advanced technologies, the utility provider has also deployed nearly 500,000 smart meters, covering more than half of its network. Full coverage is expected by 2026. These meters provide real-time data that supports leak detection, accurate demand forecasting, and AI-driven predictive maintenance.'Ultimately, this technological leap translates directly into reduced waste, improved service reliability, and a more responsive utility for our customers,' Al Ali terms of water management, EtihadWE has taken a unique path by relying entirely on reverse osmosis (RO) desalination.'Our NAQA'A plant, one of the world's largest RO facilities, stands as a testament to this commitment – delivering large-scale water production with a significantly lower carbon footprint, and reinforcing EtihadWE's role in advancing both water and energy security,' said Al integration of clean energy into existing infrastructure is central to EtihadWE's low-carbon strategy, the CEO added. Beyond Clean EnergyThe country, led by Abu Dhabi, has built a solid reputation as a key player in industrial decarbonisation 'because it pairs state-level ambition with tangible delivery', said Timothy Hurst, Group Managing Director and Energy and Industrials Lead for EMEA at Burson. 'The UAE is not waiting for future breakthroughs, but using every lever today to build a credible clean energy platform,' said Hurst, who has supported clients for communications at COP28 and other global investments in clean energy and AI, carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) is another technology that bolsters efforts to 'reduce emissions from energy-intensive and hard-to-abate industries without slowing growth', he Dhabi is home to one of MENA region's largest CCUS projects. Sustainable energy solutions provider Everllance supplies critical technologies to this CCUS initiative, while providing support across ADNOC's oil, gas, and maritime operations. 'We expect to see a rapid expansion of CCUS projects. For example, ADNOC is targeting to capture 10 million tonnes CO₂ per year by 2030,' Gaby Hanna, Senior Vice President and Head of Region MEA at Everllence, told Aletihad . 'If this vision is realised, the UAE will take regional leadership of CCUS.' Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- General
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority revives ‘mekhrafa' tradition through weaving workshops for UAE youth
29 July 2025 01:10 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)Young Emirati boys and girls have learnt the cherished tradition of weaving 'mekhrafa' in a special month-long programme organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority (ADHA) for the Nabdh Al Falah community hub. The 'mekhrafa' is a traditional Emirati basket handcrafted and woven from palm fronds. It is used to collect, carry, and present dates primarily during the harvest season. For the month of July, ADHA organised workshops that pass down this distinctive basket-weaving tradition from the seniors who know it by heart to the curious youth. ADHA's "Al Mekhrafa" programme for Nabdh Al Falah featured a line-up of engaging activities, from classic games to art sessions. Among the highlights are live demonstrations and hands-on workshops for palm frond weaving – walking participants through the making of 'mekhrafa'.At the studio, young visitors from 6 to 9 years old can explore palm-related heritage through art sessions. The programme revolves around the palm tree not only as a cultural treasure for Emirati society but as a source of daily sustenance. The remaining workshops will take place on July 29 and arts and crafts, there are educational lectures on palm farming, its environmental importance, and the date varieties found in the UAE. Family-friendly competitions are held, too. Nabdh Al Falah regularly holds programmes that bring the community together in activities designed to preserve Emirati heritage and strengthen national identity. Run by the Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi, the programmes are held in line with the goals of the Year of Community. The move comes as part of the leadership's vision to strengthen social cohesion, tighten bonds between generations, and create a sense of shared responsibility in the community. The ADHA's "Mekhrafa" programme was held in collaboration with DCD.
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE leads in sustainable investment allocation as green finance momentum builds
27 July 2025 22:39 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)Reflecting the UAE's leadership in green finance, investors in the country allocate an average of 27% of their portfolios to sustainable investments — the highest among eight global markets surveyed in a new report. This share is expected to rise to 36%, underscoring a growing shift toward impact-driven figures were based on Standard Chartered's latest Sustainable Banking Report 2025, drawn on the insights of 1,600 high-net-worth investors across eight markets, including the UAE, Hong Kong, Mainland China, India, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore. UAE investors' heightened interest in sustainability 'can also be seen through our conversations, especially with our ultra-high-net worth clients', said Bongiwe Gangeni, Head of Wealth and Retail Banking for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Standard Chartered.'We are seeing this momentum translating into actions, with many investors shifting capital to sustainable investments — a trend that is likely to continue,' Gangeni said in the report. Majority of high-net-worth investors in the country (85%) have expressed interest in sustainable investing, and 86% in transition investments, according to the survey. Across the globe, results show that interest in transition investing (87%) now surpasses that in sustainable investing (83%). The report defines transition investing as putting capital into companies — especially those in high-emission or hard-to-abate sectors such as shipping, agriculture, and steel — that are actively working to reduce their carbon footprint. This strategy not only facilitates the shift toward a low-carbon economy but also presents opportunities for sustainable long-term growth and returns.'Investors are primarily drawn to transition investments due to the potential for positive social and environmental impact (55%), followed by the prospect of improved financial returns (53%) and reflecting personal values (53%),' the report said, citing UAE data. Among the eco-themes that have captured the interest of UAE investors are green hydrogen (51%), carbon markets (48%), and carbon capture and storage (47%), it added. The sharper focus on green investments reflects the country's broader leadership in sustainable UAE has emerged among the leading countries in the global energy transition — targeting Net Zero by 2050 and aiming to reduce emissions by 47% from 2019 levels by 2035. Its financial sector has committed to mobilising $272 billion in sustainable finance by initiatives like the UAE Sustainable Finance Working Group — tasked with developing a unified taxonomy of sustainable activities — are set to provide greater clarity and structure for companies, banks, and investors alike. 'These developments are expected to further drive awareness and interest in the transition journey,' Gangeni said.
Al Etihad
6 days ago
- Science
- Al Etihad
Liwa Date Festival 2025: Preserving the date palm through heritage and technological innovation
25 July 2025 00:51 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)Anchored in heritage and essential to survival, the date palm sits at the intersection of the UAE's identity and its vision for food this year's Liwa Date Festival 2025, the Date Palm Development Research Unit (DPDRU), part of the Khalifa Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (KCGEB), reaffirmed its vital role in safeguarding this national treasure through innovation. Speaking to Aletihad , Maryam Al Menhali, Laboratory Specialist at the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory in Al Ain, outlined the cultural, environmental, and scientific weight of the centre's work. 'The participation of the Date Palm Development Research Unit, part of the Khalifa Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in the Liwa Date Festival clearly reflects the centre's mission to preserve the cultural and strategic value of the palm tree by linking heritage with innovation,' she said.'Palm trees have not only been an agricultural crop; they have also been a pillar of Emirati identity and have played a pivotal role in food and environmental stability for centuries.'Al Menhali believes that the date festival is not merely a symbolic event, it is an active platform for community outreach and knowledge exchange.'We affirm our commitment to developing biological propagation techniques and improving local varieties through advanced scientific research, including safe genetic modification, genome analysis and micropropagation,' she added.'This aligns with the UAE's vision of achieving sustainable food security and enhancing agricultural sovereignty through advanced biological solutions, without compromising the cultural heritage represented by the palm tree.'The centre uses a combination of biotechnologies to enhance date palm productivity and resilience, with a focus on disease resistance and climate adaptation.'We rely on six key technologies,' Al Menhali include tissue culture for disease-free propagation, genome sequencing to identify stress-resilient genes, CRISPR gene editing, transcriptomics and proteomics for molecular understanding, microbiome engineering for soil-plant health, and high-throughput phenotyping to evaluate performance across environmental comprehensive approach ensures that while the trees' cultural significance is honoured, they are also equipped to face the challenges of changing climate and food security Menhali also outlined how KCGEB integrates artificial intelligence, data analytics and precision agriculture to improve cultivation.'We use machine learning to detect early signs of disease from drone and satellite imagery, allowing us to intervene before visible symptoms appear. Smart IoT sensors track soil health, while predictive algorithms optimise irrigation schedules. Farmers also receive real-time advice via smart applications linked to our cloud systems,' she technologies enable proactive decision-making, helping farmers reduce water use, prevent crop loss, and boost palm health; marking a shift from traditional to data-driven efforts extend beyond productivity. Al Menhali highlighted the centre's national seed bank and genetic mapping initiatives.'We are sequencing the entire genomes of local and wild date palm varieties using advanced genomics. These maps inform our breeding programmes and help reduce genetic bottlenecks. We also store seeds in tightly controlled environments to preserve biodiversity,' she centre conducts field surveys to locate and document rare Emirati date varieties, and preserves them both genetically and culturally.'This is not just science, it is a national investment in our agricultural and environmental future,' Al Menhali centre is leading efforts to promote water-saving and environmentally-friendly farming.'We develop varieties that are drought- and salinity-tolerant, use smart irrigation systems to reduce water waste, and recycle treated water safely,' Al Menhali noted.'We also replace chemical fertilisers with biofertilisers and promote organic and conservation agriculture.'These include integrated agricultural systems that combine farming with solar power and waste recycling, establishing model farms as examples for national dissemination.'Our goal is to shift agriculture in the UAE from a consumer model to a sustainable, regenerative one.'Through its initiatives, the centre places strong emphasis on education and knowledge sharing, aiming to inspire the next generation of Emirati agricultural innovators.'We run workshops and create apps that deliver best practices to farmers while engaging youth in environmental agriculture. Cultural heritage must evolve, and part of that evolution is empowering people with knowledge.' In summary, Al Menhali said the mission is clear: protect the past, innovate for the future, and cultivate a sustainable legacy for generations to come.
