Latest Updates of Egypt !
DUBAI: H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, issued Executive Council Decision No. 40 of 2024 appointing Ahmed Hassan Saleh Hassan Mahboub as the CEO of the Corporate Administrative Support Services Sector at the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai (RTA).
The decision is effective from the date of issuance and will be published in the Official Gazette.
Source: Emirates News Agency
GENEVA: The UN agency tackling crime and drug abuse (UNODC) released its annual World Drug Report on Wednesday warning that there are now nearly 300 million users globally, alongside an increase in trafficking.
The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, or World Drug Day, is commemorated every year on June 26 and aims to increase action in achieving a drug-free world.
This year’s campaign recognises that ‘effective drug policies must be rooted in science, research, full respect for human rights, compassion, and a deep understanding of the social, economic, and health implications of drug use’.
Ghada Waly, Executive Director of UNODC, said that providing evidence-based treatment and support to all those affected by drug use is needed, ‘while targeting the illicit drug market and investing much more in prevention.’
In the decade to 2022, the number of people using illicit drugs increased to 292 million, the UNODC report says.
It noted that most users worldwide consume cannabis – 228
million people – while 60 million people worldwide consume opioids, 30 million people use amphetamines, 23 million use cocaine and 20 million take ecstasy.
Further, UNODC found that there was an increase in overdose deaths following the emergence of nitazenes – a group of synthetic opioids potentially more dangerous than fentanyl – in several high-income countries.
UNODC calls for governments, organisations and communities to collaborate on establishing evidence-based plans that will fight against drug trafficking and organised crime.
The agency also hopes communities will assist in ‘fostering resilience against drug use and promoting community-led solutions.”
Source: Emirates News Agency
NEW YORK: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged ‘leveraging the power and resilience of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to accelerate sustainable development and eradicate poverty in times of multiple crises.’
In his message on MSMEs day, which is commemorated on 27th June every year, Guterres emphasised that MSMEs are central to economies around the world.
‘Today, we recognise their vital contributions in creating jobs, driving economic growth, and empowering women, youth and marginalised communities.’
This year’s theme focuses on the role of these enterprises in eradicating poverty and achieving the Sustainable Developing Goals (SDGs), he pointed out. In times of crises – from cost-of living to climate change to debt distress – micro, small and medium-sized enterprises have demonstrated remarkable resilience, the UN chief stressed.
‘Yet many continue to face limited access to finance, technology, markets and supply chains. These enterprises require policies, support structure
s and investments that promote their growth and formalization – and, in turn, help communities prosper, uplift the most vulnerable, and pave the way for more sustainable and just livelihoods.’
‘As we celebrate Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day,’ the Secretary-General urged, ‘let us reaffirm our commitment to strengthen our support to these entities, accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and leave no one behind.’
Source: Emirates News Agency
SHARJAH: Kalimat Group and Reggio Children-Italy have solidified their partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaboration marks a milestone after six years of successful cooperation, setting the stage for enhanced educational initiatives and mutual growth for the betterment of children in their respective regions and beyond.
Reggio Children promotes, values, and defends the wealth of knowledge developed over more than 65 years by the infant-toddler centres and preschools of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia, a city in northern Italy. This experience is known as the “Reggio Emilia Approach”.
The MoU outlines Kalimat Group’s commitment to organise seminars, exhibitions, and ateliers (workshops) in collaboration with the educational centre based in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Furthermore, the agreement includes the translation, publication, or distribution of at least five Reggio Children publications, all under the support of the Italian institution.
By publishing quality material and c
reating highly effective learning experiences, Kalimat Group and Reggio Children aim to empower children and educators to reach their full potential.
This agreement is another benchmark between the entities from Sharjah and Italy’s long-standing partnership and aligns with the vision of Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Founder and CEO of the Kalimat Group, who has been instrumental in fostering numerous joint projects, research initiatives, and educational programmes to enrich the learning experiences of children and educators.
The “Horouf Reggio Conference” held in Sharjah in 2018 serves as a prime example of their fruitful collaboration. Organised by Horouf, a subsidiary of Kalimat Group, in collaboration with Reggio Children, the conference brought together teachers and education experts, highlighting the ‘Reggio Emilia Approach’ to education, which emphasises children’s mental development through language and self-expression.
Source: Emirates News Agency
DUBAI: In its fourth meeting of the 2023/2024 academic year, the Board of Trustees of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU), chaired by Mattar Al Tayer, endorsed the University’s strategic plan for 2024-2026.
The comprehensive plan, approved by the board members, is centered around five key pillars: enhancing institutional design and efficiency, enriching student experiences, expanding the range of programmes and courses, reinforcing institutional identity, and building strategic partnerships.
The plan includes 29 initiatives and three transformational programmes, including the establishment of three new colleges in cooperation with local and international partners, formation of an academic partnership with an international university, and the establishment of technical partnerships with leading global companies.
The approach is informed by global studies and trends, which indicate that advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing systems will drive significant global advancemen
ts in the coming years, catalysing substantial changes across diverse sectors.
During the meeting, the Board discussed the University’s budget plan for 2025 and 2026, as well as its development initiatives. These include efforts to grow revenues, develop the brand, improve marketing, and adopt new work methods that enhance the University’s position and competitiveness while keeping pace with future trends. The independent auditor’s report for the year ending in December 2023 was also reviewed.
Mattar Al Tayer underscored the Board of Trustees’ commitment to advancing specialised educational and research programmes, fostering creativity and innovation within the educational system, and reinforcing the University’s standing among leading institutions for smart education and innovation globally.
He further emphasised the strategic expansion of the University’s footprint in the fields of technology and artificial intelligence, which is considered to be pivotal for digital transformation going forward. These te
chnologies are crucial for enhancing efficiency, performance, and the speed of task completion, while also bolstering decision-making processes and enriching customer experiences.
Source: Emirates News Agency
ABU DHABI: The General Administration of Abu Dhabi Customs and the National Rehabilitation Centre organised a dialogue session on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which falls on 26th June each year.
The session was held with the participation of Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, Abu Dhabi Police GHQ represented by the Anti-Narcotics Directorate, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, and Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation.
The session, which was organised at the headquarters of the National Rehabilitation Centre, was entitled ‘Towards Sustainable Prevention: Efforts and Achievements’ where three major topics were addressed. The first topic covered “Preventive and Therapeutic Programmes in the UAE: Legislation and Policies,” the second addressed “The Roles of All Entities and Society in Preventing the Risk of Addiction,” and the third discussed “Sustainable Prevention: Future Directions and Plans.”
The session highlighted successful initiatives in combating n
arcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and promoting addiction prevention. Participants also exchanged ideas and discussed ways to improve current procedures and develop future strategies and plans, aiming to adopt best practices in this field to support the country’s efforts against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
Key points emphasised during the session included strengthening cooperation among governmental, federal, local, and private entities to ensure national security and the safety of citizens and residents.
They also stressed the need to intensify awareness efforts about the dangers of drug abuse and its numerous social, health, security, and economic impacts, and to develop awareness and prevention skills to combat it.
Source: Emirates News Agency