Tag Archives: opinion
General Shaikh Mohammed opens World Future Energy Summit
General Shaikh Mohammed opens World Future Energy Summit 20 January 2014 As the centrepiece of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, WFES 2014 expects to receive 30,000 attendees from over 172 countries. General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, attended the official opening ceremony of the 7th edition of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre (ADNEC), as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The summit runs from January 20-22, 2014 and is held under the theme: “Powering the Future of Energy Innovation”, saw the participation of a number of heads of states and governments, representatives of international organisations, international companies and experts. The World Future Energy Conference (WFES), which is the largest summit of energy experts, will share the best international practices, unveil new products and discuss sustainable solutions to tackle present and future energy challenges. As the centrepiece of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, WFES 2014 expects to receive 30,000 attendees from over 172 countries, up from the 152 countries that participated last year. Since its inception in 2008, WFES has grown to become the leading discussion platform for renewable energy, clean technology and sustainability, and it is now considered the pre-eminent international event for government and industry decision makers to find viable, sustainable solutions to the world’s growing energy challenges. Hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, WFES 2014 is the centerpiece of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the largest ever gathering on sustainability in the Middle East. The event comprises a world-class conference that offers an unparalleled forum for political, business and intellectual debate and a large-scale exhibition which facilitates networking and transactions between manufacturers, suppliers and customers across both the public and private sectors. Global decision and opinion makers include UAE Minister of Energy Suhail bin Mohamed Faraj Fares Al Mazrouei; Rachel Kyte, vice-president for sustainable development at the World Bank; and Maria van der Hoeven, executive director of the International Energy Agency. Around 125 speakers will address delegates during the conference programme, on topics such as waste-to-energy, natural gas and the evolving energy mix, energy efficiency, and renewable technology innovation. Other high-level speakers at the event include Marie-Jose Nadeau, president of the World Energy Council; Saif Al Sayari, executive officer of energy solutions, Taqa; Santiago Seage, CEO of Abengoa Solar; and Kazuo Furukawa, chairman of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation. More than 900 exhibiting companies will take part in WFES, International Water Summit, and the inaugural EcoWASTE, with more than 200 new products to be unveiled at the three shows. New and expanded exhibition features at WFES this year include the Project and Finance Village, showcasing over 20 renewable energy projects from the region and beyond. For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
RAK Airways suspends services
RAK Airways suspends services Abdul Basit / 1 January 2014 Airline is looking at new options to start operations again with big plans. RAK Airways has suspended operations for its restructuring process, and will be in the air again in a better way, according to the airline’s director of communications. “The airline suspended operations for re-growth and restructuring. We need to move forward and will use this time to re-evaluate and also see what are the best options for RAK Airways’ future,” Elizabeth Percy told Khaleej Times over the phone. “There are options for new investors and we are just looking at new options to start operations again with big plans,” she emphasised. The airline is likely to make another announcement next month regarding the future road-map, aviation sources said. Earlier in the day, the airline announced the suspension of all operations, until further notice, from January 1 (Wednesday). None of the passengers will be affected with the decision, as the airline did not book any flight for 2014, Percy said. On Tuesday the airline operated its last two flights — Doha and Peshawar — before suspending operations. “The decision for suspending operations was taken following increased pressures on the carrier’s performance due to continuous market conditions, increased operating costs and the impact of the regional political instability on the overall aviation industry,” the airline said in a statement. RAK Airways, which re-launched in 2010 with a new livery and under new management, was operating flights from RAK International Airport to Doha, Peshawar, Islamabad, Lahore, Jeddah, Riyadh, Calicut and Kathmandu. ‘‘The board of directors took the decision today to suspend the operations until further notice. We believe this decision is in the best interest of the airline and its shareholders. We will take this time to re-evaluate the best options available for RAK Airways’ future as well as those that fit the industry requirements of the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah,” the statement said. Percy, who is also director of corporate communications for the RAK Department of Civil Aviation and RAK Airport, said that the airport operations will continue as usual for cargo, charter and other services. Responding to a question, she said that the affected employees of the airline would be compensated under the UAE Labour Law. In October, 2013 RAK Airways celebrated its third anniversary. — abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Fifa U-17 World Cup gala starts in UAE
Fifa U-17 World Cup gala starts in UAE James Jose / 17 October 2013 Hosts hope for a victory against Honduras; Brazil meet Slovakia first in Fifa U-17 World Cup. ABU DHABI — Back in August, Shaikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Chairman for the General Authority of Youth and Sports had said that the tournament is a celebration of future stars. As a ball will be kicked in anger, over the next three weeks, 504 young guns will be hoping to show the world that they are the future. The Fifa Under-17 World Cup kicks-off at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. After the Opening Ceremony is done, it will be the perfect opportunity for the next generation of UAE football to give a glimpse that they are following in the footsteps of their more illustrious seniors. Shaikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan is also the Chairman of the Higher Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the tournament. The UAE are competing in the tournament for the first time and take on Honduras in a Group A fixture. But there is no lack of confidence. UAE captain Humaid Salmeen reckoned that they could all the way. That is the attitude that the UAE are going with. “We are looking to win the tournament. At the Under-17 level, there is nothing different between the teams,” Humaid Salmeen, said on the eve of the match. “All teams are the same. The only difference is how the players deal with the pressure. As young players, we are not used to the media and the big stadiums. But to be a successful player, you have to prepare yourself well and pass all the difficulties. We will try our best to achieve our ambitions,” he added. The UAE play the second game of the night after three-time winners Brazil meet Slovakia. The UAE’s meeting with Brazil on Sunday is the one that the fans have been waiting for. But the UAE coach Rashid Amir cautioned that they are not looking too far ahead. He said that getting a win against Honduras will be the key. Honduras will be making their third appearance in the competition but haven’t won a game so far or even earned a point. But Amir is treating it the same way as he would treat a game against Brazil. “The most difficult game in any tournament is the first match. Achieving results is going to be hard throughout the whole tournament. But Honduras have been training for this match for a long time. Everybody is talking about the Brazil vs UAE game, but the match against Honduras is the most difficult,” Amir said. Amir said that the squad have prepared well and are battle ready. “The squad has been preparing for more than a year. During that time, they have been training very hard. We had a good training camp and some tough friendly games in Spain. I think we have reached the level that we wanted. The squad is ready to give their best,” he said. The squad began their preparations 15 months ago in Turkey. The UAE left for Turkey in July 2012 before travelling to Saudi Arabia and Spain. They returned to the UAE in January 2013 and trained at home till July before travelling to Turkey again. They left for Malaysia before returing to the UAE in September. The UAE were back on the road again and were in Marbella, Spain from September to October, for their final stint.The UAE played a few friendly games against World Cup opponents from other groups and returned home unbeaten. They played Argentina, defending champions Mexico, Ivory Coast and Panama, whom they blanked 4-0. “Our results indicate that the team is on the right track as far our preparations for the World Cup finals are concerned. We have to maintain this standard and always show a fighting spirit on the pitch. That is how we will win at this tournament,” said Amir. The UAE will be without midfieler Ali Ghuloum, who picked up a knee injury during the friendly against Panama. Ghuloum will have to undergo a surgery. He was replaced by Omar Jumah. Meanwhile, in the opening fixture of the competition and of the night, heavyweights Brazil will be looking to lay the platform for a fourth title when they meet debutants Slovakia. Slovakia are playing as an independent nation for the first time. Brazil’s Gabriel will be the one to watch. The striker signed a contract with one of Brazil’s top clubs Santos, last month. KICK-OFFS (Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi): Brazil vs Slovakia, 5 p.m UAE vs Honduras, 8 p.m Continue reading
