Day: June 23, 2024

DUBAI: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has started the study and design of Phase II of ITS Improvement and Expansion Project.

This phase aims to cover 100 percent of the emirate’s main roads and adopt the latest intelligent technologies and software, such as the Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS), expanding the use of advanced ITS technologies, and conducting a benchmarking study with leading cities in the field of transport.

This is In line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to expand the scope of the Intelligent Traffic Systems (ITS) and support Dubai’s efforts to become the smartest city in the world

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at RTA, said, ‘Phase II of the Intelligent Traffic Systems project will expand the coverage of the main road network from the current 60 percent to 100 percent by 2026. Accordingly, the length of the road network
covered by the system will extend from 480 km to 710 km.

This expansion will enhance road network management and traffic flow through better monitoring, faster response times to incidents, and providing instant information to the public about the condition of the road network via new Variable Message Signs (VMS) and smart applications to help distribute traffic effectively. The project enhances personal mobility by integrating modern and advanced technologies and self-driving transport solutions thanks to providing a comprehensive ITS infrastructure designed to meet current and future needs.’

Explaining the features and impact of the project, Al Tayer said, “The initial phase of the project included the addition of 116 traffic surveillance cameras, bringing the total to 311 cameras, the installation of 100 incident monitoring and vehicle counting devices, increasing the total to 227 devices, installing 112 Variable Message Signs (VMS) that relay real time information about road conditions, fitting 115 trave
l time and speed measurement devices, setting up 17 weather sensor stations, and constructing 660 km of electric power lines and a fibre optic network with a total length of 820 km.

The project has improved incident monitoring by 63 percent, reduced response times by 30 percent, enhanced traffic flow, increased traffic management efficiency, and reduced journey times by 20 percent through Variable Message Signs (VMS). These results were facilitated by using VMS, enhanced linkage and integration with the Enterprise Command and Control Centre and the Dubai Police General HQ.”

RTA manages traffic in the emirate through the Dubai Intelligent Traffic Systems Centre at Al Barsha, one of the largest and most sophisticated traffic control centres globally. The centre employs innovative technologies and traffic management systems to meet Dubai’s expansion and make it one of the world’s leading cities in ITS, alongside Singapore and Seoul.

The Dubai ITS Centre is a crucial hub for managing traffic in Dubai. It has a
n integrated technology platform which utilises artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things, advanced communication systems, and various monitoring devices to provide smart services and gather important information.

The centre oversees Dubai’s current and future road networks and maintains a 100 percent connection to the traffic lights control system. It also features an advanced traffic control system called “iTraffic,” enhanced by AI technologies and big data analysis tools to support decision-making.

The centre’s responsibilities include ensuring the smooth flow of traffic, managing incidents and emergencies, monitoring operational systems, and reporting malfunctions.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ROME: Italy’s Chief of Police and General Director of Public Security, Perfect Vittorio Pisani, welcomed Lieutenant General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, and his accompanying delegation to the Ministry of Interior in Rome.

The meeting , which was attended by Prefect Raffaele Grassi, Deputy Chief of Police and Central Director of Criminal Police; Prefect Annunziato Vardè, Director of Planning and coordination office of Police Forces; and Colonel Tariq Sultan Al Suwaidi, Director of the Wanted Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigation at Dubai Police, aimed to strengthen cooperation in policing, security, and combating organised crime.

Discussions focused on areas of mutual interest, including strategies to combat organised and transnational crime, drug trafficking, and money laundering using cryptocurrencies.

Lieutenant General Al Marri emphasised the UAE’s commitment to strengthening international relations and partnerships with security and police agenc
ies. He highlighted the directives of H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, to boost international partnerships to address organised and transnational crime and strengthen relations with Italian security and police authorities.

Meanwhile, Pisani expressed his appreciation for the bilateral relations and the efforts of the Dubai Police to enhance cooperation and integration in policing, security, and crime fighting.

He further acknowledged Dubai Police’s tremendous efforts in tracking down and apprehending 13 international fugitives wanted on various charges by the Italian Judicial Investigation Authority, as well as the force’s instrumental role in securing a court order to freeze 50 million euros in illicit proceeds.

Source: Emirates News Agency

NEW YORK: The United Arab Emirates has signed an agreement with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to provide emergency food assistance to populations affected by the crisis in Sudan and South Sudan. This includes refugees, host communities, internally displaced people, and returnees impacted by the war.

The agreement, formalised between the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and WFP, was signed on the behalf of the UAE by Sultan Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister for International Development Affairs, and on the behalf of WFP by Matthew Nims, Director of Washington Office, and in the presence of Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, and Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General, at a special ceremony at the UAE Mission to the UN in New York.

17.7 million people in Sudan and 7.1 million in South Sudan facing acute food insecurity as a result of war in Sudan. To help alleviate this crisis, UAE has committed a total of US$25 million in aid: US$20 million for Sudan and
US$5 million for South Sudan.

Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme, said, ‘WFP welcomes all pledges towards our lifesaving food operations in Sudan. With this contribution, we will be able to assist vulnerable people who are at risk of sliding into famine.’

This contribution is part of UAE’s US$70 million commitment announced in April at the ‘International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and Neighbouring Countries’ to UN agencies and humanitarian organisations to alleviate the severe humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

Lana Zaki Nusseibeh stated, “With widespread hunger in Sudan and neighbouring countries, our partnership with WFP will assist those most vulnerable facing the devastating ramifications of this war. We cannot allow another famine to unfold in Sudan. The long-term impacts of famine, particularly on children, are incalculable. This is a call to action to halt famine in its tracks.”

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI: Since it was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award has seen a notable development in terms of the types of innovative projects, increased number of beneficiaries and participating countries, and expanded range of award categories.

With total prizes of US$1 million, the biennial award aims to encourage developing innovative solutions for the water scarcity problem around the world.

The award, which is supervised by the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE), and has gained the attention of institutions, research centres, and innovators, turning into a global platform for developing practical and sustainable solutions to the global water crisis using renewable energy.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Suqia UAE, said, ‘Thanks to the unlimited support by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global W
ater Award proved its significant role in supporting the UAE’s efforts to effectively contribute to providing solutions to the challenges the world is facing and helping less developed communities combat challenges and achieve the sustainable development. In addition to the Award, Suqia UAE, under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, works to reduce the suffering of less fortunate communities worldwide through developmental and humanitarian projects implemented by Suqia outside the UAE to provide clean water to underprivileged communities. Since its establishment in 2015, Suqia UAE’s projects have benefitted 14.9 million people worldwide.”

Similar to the previous cycles, the 4th cycle of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award has gained significant attention from companies, research centres, organisations, and innovators. Over the past 3 cycles of the award, 31 winners from 22 countries were rewarded for their innovative projects in water desalination and puri
fication using renewable energy sources including solar, wind, biomass, ocean, gradient salinity, and geothermal technologies.

A total of 11 winners from 8 countries were honoured in the third cycle of the award, which received participations from 56 countries worldwide. The second cycle awarded 10 winners from 8 countries, with participations from 39 countries. The first cycle honoured 10 winners from 8 countries with participations from 43 countries.

Expansion of the categories of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award:

In 2020, Suqia UAE expanded the range of the 3rd cycle of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award to include new technologies dedicated to producing, distributing, storing, monitoring, desalinating, and purifying water using renewable energy. This is a part of Suqia’s efforts to encourage more research centres and individuals to take part in the award and increase the number of people benefiting from sustainable and innovative solutions to face the issue of wa
ter scarcity around the world. Suqia also added the new ‘Innovative Crisis Solutions Award’ to the existing three categories.

Currently, the award comprises four main categories. The first category is the Innovative Projects Award, with two subcategories: Small Projects Award with prizes of US$240,000 distributed among the top three winners, and the Large Projects Awards with prizes totalling US$300,000 distributed among the top three winners.

The second category is the Innovative Research and Development Award, with two subcategories: the National Institutions Award granting US$200,000 distributed among the top three winners, and the International Institutions Award granting US$200,000 distributed among the top three winners.

The third category is the Innovative Individual Award, with two subcategories: the Youth Award offering US$20,000 for one winner, the Distinguished Researcher Award offering US$20,000 for one winner.

The fourth category is the Innovative Crisis Solutions Award granting US$20,000 for
one winner.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI: The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has won two awards at the GovMedia Conference and Awards hosted in Singapore in June, bagging the ‘Digital Initiative of the Year’ award for the Ramadan Heroes initiative and the ‘Campaign of the Year’ award for the Dubai Calligraphy Biennale, both in the Culture and the Arts category.

These reflect the significant impact of Dubai Culture’s initiatives and their ability to reach all segments of society, and the Authority’s commitment to integrating innovation with heritage, thereby enhancing its role in enriching the cultural movement in Dubai.

Through its Ramadan Heroes initiative, a first-of-its-kind virtual local charitable project launched in 2020, in collaboration with strategic partners, Dubai Culture introduced an innovative model of humanitarian work.

The initiative invited community members to contribute by purchasing iftar meals or providing Ramadan boxes filled with food supplies. It continues the Authority’s mission of spreading tole
rance within the community, inspiring philanthropists, and supporting underprivileged families. Additionally, the success of the promotional campaign for the first-ever Dubai Calligraphy Biennale reflected efforts to transform public spaces into immersive calligraphic experiences to enrich visitors’ understanding of this art form.

Hala Badri, Director-General of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, highlighted the importance of these awards in showcasing the Authority’s efforts to stimulate Dubai’s cultural movement. She said, ‘Dubai Culture remains committed to its societal and cultural responsibilities, and to enhancing the quality of life in Dubai while demonstrating the values of Emirati community benevolence and humanity. Additionally, we aim to elevate the emirate’s unique environment and demonstrate its vast capabilities in attracting creatives and talented individuals. Winning these awards is a testament to Dubai Culture’s record-breaking initiatives and a reflection of its excellence on the local s
tage. The Authority’s dedication to improving its performance and achieving milestones is unwavering, and fostering a culture of innovation remains a top priority.’

Shaima Rashid Al Suwaidi, Director of the Marketing and Corporate Communication Department at Dubai Culture, indicated that these accolades reflect the importance of the projects implemented by the Authority. She said, ‘These awards show the significance of the projects Dubai Culture implements. Through its various initiatives and programmes, the Authority seeks to embody the essence of its cultural mission and its role in activating the local creative movement, alongside its commitment to cultural and societal responsibilities. The Dubai Calligraphy Biennale has firmly positioned Dubai on the global map and exhibited our dedication to preserving the art of calligraphy. Meanwhile, the Ramadan Heroes initiative has made a noticeable difference in the community by emphasising values of giving and tolerance, in alignment with Dubai’s aspirations and
vision to be a global hub for humanitarian work.’

Al Suwaidi expressed the Authority’s pride in winning these awards, which in turn improve its record and reflect its reputation locally.

The GovMedia conference is an annual event highlighting distinguished government projects and initiatives in Asia that contribute to improving the well-being of the region’s population.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI: The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) forecasts tomorrow’s weather to be clear to partly cloudy at times.

Low clouds will appear on the eastern coast in the morning, with a chance of rainy convective clouds formation in the east, which may be accompanied by rain.

In its daily statement, NCM said that winds will be light to moderate in speed, occasionally becoming active during the day.

The centre added that the winds would be light to moderate, and active at times during the day. The wind would be from the Southeast to Northeast at 10 to 25 km/h, reaching up to 40 km/h.

The sea will be slight in the Arabian Gulf and in the Oman Sea.

Source: Emirates News Agency