Tag Archives: environment
Call to address abuse of war victims
Call to address abuse of war victims (Wam) / 29 September 2013 Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Development and International Co-operation underscored that the UAE is playing an effective role globally in the field of protecting the rights of individuals and ensuring their dignity, particularly its strong support for the international issues related to sexual violence, suffered by victims of the armed conflicts in various spots in the world. On the sidelines of the 68th United Nations General Assembly, New York, Shaikha Lubna discussed with Zainab Hawa Bangura, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence Conflict, the importance of continuing the international efforts in this regard. They also discussed a number of international humanitarian issues, especially the increase of sexual abuse crimes during wars and armed conflicts, the tragedies witnessed by refugees and the importance of addressing them effectively through the partnership among all various sides. They also reviewed the UAE’s effective contributions in alleviating the suffering of the affected people in various parts worldwide. Shaikha Lubna also met with Alan Duncan, the UK’s Minister of State for International Development and discussed with him the latest developments in the humanitarian issues and the two countries’ contributions in alleviating their repercussions, particularly in Syria, Somalia and Yemen. They also agreed on the importance of continuing the joint efforts and building on the previous strong partnership channels for the sake of increasing their contributions in the developmental, relief and humanitarian aspects. Shaikha Lubna also met with Anthony Lake, Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef). During the meeting, they discussed ways to respond to the challenges of the Syrian crises and its results on the Syrian people, specially children and the need to secure protection for them. On his part, Anthony Lake hailed the UAE’s unique efforts in the fields of securing living conditions and educational services for the Syrian children through establishing the UAE-funded camp for Syrian refugees in Jordan. Continue reading
Khalifa orders aid as quake rattles Pak regions again
Khalifa orders aid as quake rattles Pak regions again (Wam, AFP) / 29 September 2013 The President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has directed emergency items such as food and medical aid be delivered to the earthquake stricken regions of Pakistan, after an earthquake left more than 500 dead. Thousands remain wounded — many without access to aid — since last week’s quake at 7.8 Richter Scale. The directive was followed up by General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Shaikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Red Crescent Authority, to ensure emergency assistance is provided to people affected. The RCA office in Pakistan is currently engaged in providing tents blankets, food and medical items to the victims of the earthquake. Meanwhile, a powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit southwest Pakistan on Saturday, killing at least 22 people in a region already devastated by a tremor which left more than 300 people dead this week, local officials said. “The death toll is increasing. Rescue workers have so far recovered 22 dead bodies,” Hari Fal, the top government official in Khuzdar town said, adding that more than 50 people have been wounded. Officials fear the toll in Saturday’s quake in Awaran, the poorest district in the southwest province of Balochistan, could still rise further. The new quake struck the remote district at a depth of 14km at 12.34pm according to the US Geological Survey. Continue reading
UAE, Mexico to sign treaty on protecting investments
UAE, Mexico to sign treaty on protecting investments (Wam) / 28 September 2013 Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan continued meeting with his counterparts from other countries taking part in the 68th session of the United Nations’ General Assembly. Shaikh Abdullah met Mexican Foreign Minister Jose Antonio Meade; Singaporean Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam; Kazakh counterpart Erlan Idrissov; South Korean minister Yun Byung-se; and Colombian minister Maria Angela Holguin. Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed, other GCC foreign ministers, US Secretary of State John Kerry and US Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel during the third ministerial meeting of the US-GCC Strategic Cooperation Forum in New York on Thursday. The two sides reached a consensus on ways to bolster stability and security throughout the Middle East and deepen the close relations. The GCC ministers condemned the horrific chemical weapons attack in Syrian on August 21. — Wam He discussed with them the UAE’s relations with their respective countries, ways to strengthen them and the regional and international issues. He and the Mexican minister agreed to sign an agreement to encourage protection of investments between the two countries. With Shanmugam, he discussed the positions of the two countries regarding the political issues of mutual interest, including the Syrian standoff, Palestinian issue and developments in Egypt. He and South Korean minister also discussed the ways to activate the strategic economic, investment, scientific and technological partnerships between the two countries, including the exchange of expertise in the areas of renewable energy, trade and medicine. The UAE Foreign Minister thanked Ambassador Nusseibeh, on behalf of the members of the mission, for their strenuous efforts to strengthen the role of the UAE in the UN. Shaikh Abdullah also held talks with the President of Mongolia, Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, at the UN. During the meeting, Shaikh Abdullah conveyed the regards of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to Elbegdorj and his wishes to the Mongolian leadership and people. On his part, President Elbegdorj asked Shaikh Abdullah to convey his regards to the UAE President. He stressed the interest of his country in strengthening the bilateral relations in all fields. Shaikh Abdullah visited the residence of the UAE Permanent Mission to the UN in New York. He was received by UAE Permanent Representative to the UN Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, members of the UAE diplomatic corps to the UN and the UAE delegation members and local staff at the mission. Continue reading
