Latest news with #theUAE2031
Al Etihad
17 hours ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE to implement Midday Break from June 15 - September 15, marking its 21st year of implementation in 2025
3 June 2025 15:42 ABU DHABI (WAM)The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced the implementation of the Midday Break, prohibiting work under direct sunlight and in open-air spaces between 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm every day, from June 15 until September 15, in its 21st consecutive year, the Midday Break is rooted in a sustainability-centred approach that the UAE implements in line with its commitment to providing a safe working environment, as per international best practices, and occupational health and safety protects workers from injuries and illnesses caused by working in high temperatures during the summer Ali Al Nassi, Assistant Undersecretary for Inspection & Compliance at MoHRE said, 'The Midday Break has achieved a record compliance rate of more than 99% for several years in a row, in a clear indication of the firmly entrenched social and humanitarian values among the business community and private sector companies in the UAE. "This also highlights the high level of awareness regarding the need to protect human capital - the most valuable resource in any company - reflecting the commendable and people-centred nature of labour regulations and practices embraced in the UAE, especially with regards to occupational health and safety.'Al Nassi highlighted the Ministry's commitment to raising awareness among establishments and their workers about the importance of adhering to the provisions of the Midday Break through field visits by inspectors to workplaces and labour accommodations. This contributes to enhancing awareness of occupational health and safety requirements and protecting workers from heat-related her part, Dalal Alshehhi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Protection at MoHRE, said, 'The Midday Break has become a prime example of constructive partnerships between the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, the private sector, and the wider community, with many partners developing their own initiatives to support workers while the Midday Break is in effect,' Alshehhi added.'This reinforces the principle of social responsibility and ensures the success of our awareness strategies, further embedding humanitarian values in the UAE's work environment, which welcomes more than 200 nationalities to live, work, and invest, in line with the objectives of the 'We the UAE 2031' vision," Al Shehhi commended private sector establishments taking the initiative over recent years to provide fully equipped rest areas designed to ensure workers' utmost comfort during the daily Midday Break, and thus demonstrating the establishments' strong commitment to ensuring workers' wellbeing before they resume their daily duties after the urged all private sector establishments to adopt similar initiatives, which have a positive impact on workers' health and contribute to enhanced productivity. Break Requirements Under the terms of the Midday Break, companies are required to provide necessary supplies and arrangements, including shaded areas to protect workers from the sun during the break or while performing permitted must also ensure appropriate cooling equipment is available, such as fans, adequate quantities of drinking water, and hydration supplements like electrolytes as approved for use by local authorities, along with other amenities and first-aid supplies at the worksite. Exemptions The Midday Break regulations take into account the need for continuity in certain types of work that serve public interests. Exemptions apply to tasks that must continue uninterrupted for technical reasons, such as laying asphalt or pouring concrete when it is unfeasible to complete these activities after the exclusions include work required to address hazards or repair issues that impact the community, such as disruptions to water or electricity supply, traffic congestion, and malfunctions in basic exemption also covers activities that require a permit from a competent government authority due to their impact on public life and works to assess the level of compliance with the Midday Break requirements among companies, using its monitoring system throughout the duration of the the Ministry welcomes reports of harmful practices or violations flagged by members of the community through its call centre at 600590000, website, or smart warned that violating companies will be fined Dh5,000 for every worker per breach, up to a maximum of Dh50,000 if several workers were found to be in violation. The Ministry will also escalate its awareness campaigns and field visits, in coordination with its public and private sector partners, to educate workers and employers about the provisions of the Midday Break and the necessity to comply with regulations in that regard.
Hi Dubai
2 days ago
- Business
- Hi Dubai
UAE Launches Chief AI Officers Training Programme to Drive Tech Leadership
The UAE Government has launched an executive training programme for Chief AI Officers, marking a major step in strengthening the country's leadership in artificial intelligence and future technologies. Led by the Office of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, the initiative is run in partnership with the University of Birmingham in Dubai. The programme aims to equip AI leaders across federal entities with advanced knowledge and skills to drive smart transformation across sectors. Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence Omar Sultan Al Olama said the programme reflects the UAE's commitment to investing in talent and building a tech-driven future. 'Empowering leaders with the right tools and knowledge fuels national ambitions and enables innovation,' he said. The two-week training blends academic theory with hands-on learning. Participants explore the latest AI trends, governance frameworks, and real-world applications in areas such as healthcare, cybersecurity, energy, urban development, and entrepreneurship. The curriculum also covers ethics, regulations, machine learning, and generative AI. Chief AI Officers were nominated following a UAE Cabinet decision led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Selection was based on candidates' ability to lead AI integration within their organisations and align with national strategic goals. Delivered by global experts, the programme also encourages dialogue between UAE officials and international thought leaders, creating space for exchanging insights and best practices. This initiative supports the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031 and the broader 'We the UAE 2031' vision, reinforcing the country's position as a global hub for digital transformation and innovation. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Web Release
24-05-2025
- Business
- Web Release
Ministry of Economy participates in 4th ‘Make it in the Emirates' Forum to promote innovation and industrial sustainability
The Ministry of Economy participated in the fourth edition of the 'Make it in the Emirates' Forum, in the presence of H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade. Organized by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, the event took place recently at ADNEC Centre, Abu Dhabi, under the theme 'Advanced Industries. Accelerated.' The forum seeks to foster innovation, boost economic diversification and industrial sustainability, and position the UAE as a global destination for future industries, while also encouraging investors, innovators, and project developers to localize manufacturing. H.E. Dr. Al Zeyoudi emphasized that the UAE, under the directives of its wise leadership, continues to foster a favorable trade and investment environment to support national industrial products in line with international best practices. The country aims to enhance the global and regional competitiveness of its products by strengthening economic partnerships with key strategic markets via the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs). These agreements play a crucial role in opening up new export opportunities and expanding market access for national industrial products, supporting the national goal of increasing non-oil exports to AED 800 billion by 2030, in line with the 'We the UAE 2031' vision. His Excellency stated: 'The forum serves as a key national platform for advancing the UAE's industrial sector, promoting partnerships in future industries, and sharing expertise in industrial design and relevant advanced technologies. This enhances our nation's transition into a sustainable knowledge and innovation-based economy.' H.E. added that the Ministry's participation reflects its commitment to supporting the national efforts aimed at creating an advanced industrial ecosystem and promoting sustainable growth. It also enables national industrial capabilities that contribute to developing high-quality local products capable of competing in global markets. Furthermore, the Ministry's participation in the forum aligns with its goal to enhance the benefits of its 'Green Intellectual Property' initiative that integrates intellectual property into sustainability, green energy, and clean energy sectors. At its forum pavilion, the Ministry showcased its projects and initiatives related to intellectual property, innovation, and industrial sustainability, underscoring its support for entrepreneurs and startups seeking to expand into advanced industrial markets from the UAE, as well as the various opportunities it offers in this regard. The Ministry's participation also contributed to enhancing engagement with private sector companies operating in industrial sectors locally and internationally, encouraging them to grow their businesses and product lines within the UAE market by leveraging the country's enabling business environment.
Gulf Insider
03-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
UAE Named Best Country for Entrepreneurs in 2025
The UAE has been named the best place in the world for entrepreneurs as foreign ownership rules, government support and finance options make it easier than ever to launch a business in the country. The UAE has ranked first globally for the fourth consecutive year in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report 2024/2025. The report also ranked the UAE as the best place for entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises among 56 economies assessed this year. The UAE secured the top position among high-income countries in 11 out of 13 key indicators based on expert assessments of institutional frameworks supporting the entrepreneurial environment. The areas in which the UAE excelled globally included: Entrepreneurial finance Ease of access to funding Government policies supporting entrepreneurship Government policies on taxes and bureaucracy Government entrepreneurship programmes Entrepreneurship education at school level and post-school level Research and development transfer Commercial and professional infrastructure Ease of market entry in terms of regulatory burdens Social and cultural norms related to entrepreneurship Alia bint Abdullah Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, said the achievement reflects the results of the UAE's forward-looking vision, supported by the guidance of its wise leadership, to build an integrated entrepreneurship and SME ecosystem. She added that the UAE's continued recognition as the top environment for entrepreneurship and the leading destination for startups globally for the fourth year in a row represents the country's regional and international progress. She noted that this accomplishment demonstrates the UAE's commitment to providing an attractive and impactful entrepreneurship climate aligned with global best practices, enabling startups to grow in advanced and digital economic sectors, and offering financing initiatives and solutions that support the country's positioning as a global hub for the new economy by the next decade, in line with the objectives of the 'We the UAE 2031' vision. The report highlighted that the UAE's entrepreneurial environment continues to flourish and advance globally, supported by business-friendly policies, distinguished government initiatives and a competitive investment climate. One of the key contributing factors to this success was the UAE's investment of $8.7bn to boost innovation and the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises as part of the Projects of the 50 initiative. The report also cited the allowance of 100 per cent foreign ownership of companies and the consistent increase in foreign direct investment, which reached record levels in 2023. It further pointed out that the entrepreneurial culture in the UAE is marked by high awareness and ambition among the population. Approximately 67 per cent of adults know an entrepreneur or believe they have the necessary skills to start a business. Meanwhile, 70 per cent of Emiratis see strong opportunities to launch a business locally, 78 per cent of new entrepreneurs prioritise social and environmental impact over profit, and 75 per cent of early-stage entrepreneurs plan to expand their teams and employ at least six people in the next five years. Furthermore, 80 per cent intend to integrate digital technology into their business operations, 78 per cent are motivated to generate high income or wealth, and 55 per cent of entrepreneurs serve customers outside the United Arab Emirates, strengthening the country's position as a global centre for business and investment. The UAE was also ranked first globally in the same report under the GEM's National Entrepreneurship Context Index (NECI), which assesses each country's supportive environment for entrepreneurship based on scores derived from national experts' evaluations. This supports the United Arab Emirates vision to reach one million SMEs by 2031. Also read: UAE Slashes Bureaucracy for Higher Education Institutions
Gulf Today
27-03-2025
- Health
- Gulf Today
UAE Health Council discusses projects
The UAE Health Council has discussed proposed plans for the future of healthcare in the country, emphasising its commitment to launching strategic and innovative projects that not only enhance healthcare delivery, but also improve service quality, and build a more integrated and sustainable sector. During a meeting chaired by Awad Saghir Al Ketbi, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority, on behalf of Abdulrahman Bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, the council reviewed the UAE's recent achievements in healthcare. Also present were senior representatives from both public and private health sectors. The council stressed that it is committed to implementing the directives of the country's wise leadership to achieve the goals of the 'We the UAE 2031' vision as well as the objectives of the Year of Community. 'We will continue to support community-focused health initiatives and strategic projects that would promote wellness and encourage healthy lifestyles, thereby contributing to a healthier, more cohesive, and sustainable society,' the council said. Council members reaffirmed that such strategic projects are part of the UAE's ongoing efforts to develop a flexible, future-ready health system that meets global standards, strengthens sustainability, boosts the country's global competitiveness, and enhances the overall quality of life for its people. During the meeting, the Council discussed a series of innovative health initiatives, including the health cloud project, and the unified licensing project for health professionals across the country. The meeting also reviewed the latest developments related to establishment of the Emirates Council for Accreditation of Healthcare Entities and the ongoing efforts to create a national centre dedicated to epidemic prevention. Additionally, the Council was briefed on the latest updates regarding the health professionals' journey tracking platform, which now includes a fully completed scholarship platform infrastructure. Efforts are currently underway to integrate and establish direct connections with the relevant authorities. In parallel, the Council discussed efforts to develop regulatory standards for regulating artificial intelligence in the healthcare sector to ensure that AI technologies are deployed in a safe, ethical, and effective manner-while aligning with international best practices. WAM
