Author: ArabianRecords.org

UAE: The United Nations Summit of Chiefs of Police (UNCOPS 2024) kicks off in UN HQ in New York, sponsored by the UAE

 The UAE, represented by the Ministry of Interior, participated in the United Nations Summit of Chiefs of Police (2024), as the sponsoring country of the summit, which was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, USA, on June 26 and 27, as part of its consistent approach and active participation. In strengthening global efforts to enhance security and stability for peoples, and to maintain peace in various regions of the world.

The summit is the largest gathering of ministers, police chiefs and senior representatives of regional police organizations in the world, and a regular event held every two years in the presence of police chiefs from member states to participate and hold bilateral talks, with the aim of promoting peace, security and international development for all, and raising levels of cooperation in the police and security field among member states. .

At the beginning of his speech, the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, expressed his thanks to the UAE for sponsoring the UNCOPS 2024 Summit, as the UAE has contributed to many activities related to the United Nations Police, including hosting a number of conferences to evaluate the performance of United Nations Police Chiefs over the past two years in Abu Dhabi, which has enhanced the country’s contribution and role in strengthening dialogues with international organizations and raising police competencies.

The UAE also hosted a number of training courses to raise the capabilities of United Nations police personnel, and courses to raise the leadership of the female component of the United Nations Police, in addition to accrediting an elite group of Ministry of Interior officers to be certified trainers in various positions with the United Nations Police.

The Ministry of Interior participated in a number of periodic field visits to United Nations peacekeeping missions, including: United Nations missions in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic.

The delegation of the Ministry of Interior delivered a state speech during the summit, stressing the keenness of the UAE Ministry of Interior with the vision and support of the wise leadership to continue cooperation with all countries of the world and international organizations and institutions, especially in the security and police fields with the aim of combating crime of all kinds. It also valued the strategic partnership with the United Nations Police and the efforts It is making efforts in the Global Initiative for Law Enforcement for Climate (I2LEC), where the UAE’s harmonious policy, the foundations of which were laid by the late founder of the state, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, played a decisive role in resolving many international and regional issues. The Emirati empowerment and construction process continued with the vision, support and follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him.”

The delegation stressed the Ministry of Interior’s continued participation in international and regional efforts to establish international security and stability, wishing success and success to the participants in the work of this summit, which will provide a decent life full of prosperity and well-being for all our peoples.

– Guardians of the Earth.

On the sidelines of the United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit (UNCOPS 2024), the International Law Enforcement Initiative for Climate (I2LEC) hosted a panel discussion entitled “Guardians of the Earth: Global Law Enforcement Strategies to Protect the Environment,” in the presence of representatives from the global law enforcement community, with the aim of enhancing awareness of the impact Increase the positive impact of policing on environmental crimes and climate change, showcase best practices and share valuable lessons learned to benefit the global law enforcement community, and promote international cooperation to develop global law enforcement strategies for environmental protection.

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

TANZANITE: 703-Carat Tanzanite Sets Guinness World Record -‘ Worlds Largest Cut Tanzanite’ , Carved by American Naomi Sarna

Carved by Naomi Sarna, the “L’Heure Bleu” is now the world’s largest cut tanzanite.

A 703-carat blue tanzanite carving by artist Naomi Sarna has set a Guinness World Record as the world’s largest cut tanzanite. 

The official weigh-in of the “L’Heure Bleu” took place on March 9 at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals in Hillsboro, Oregon. 

Gemstone experts, Jessie English of J.S. English Appraisals and Madeline Saunders of Oregon Estate Jewelry, were the official witnesses for the weighing, and Guinness World Records adjudicator Michael Empric verified and announced the results.  

Rice Museum Board President Gail Spann and Museum Director Kim Vagner were in attendance. 

“As the director of the Rice Museum of Rocks & Minerals board, and longtime supporter of this wonderful ‘gem’ in Hillsboro, I couldn’t have been more delighted that we hosted Naomi Sarna on her adventure with Guinness World Records that was enjoyed by many attendees. We are lucky to have such talent grace our museum’s doorstep,” said Spann.  Related stories will be right here … 

Several years ago, Sarna traveled to the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro—the only place in the world tanzanite is found—to select the rough from which to create the largest-ever carved tanzanite.

She was asked to create a carving for an international competition that would benefit the Maasai people, the tribe whose ancestral lands contain the tanzanite mines where a tribesman first discovered the gemstone over 50 years ago.

While in Tanzania, Sarna was presented with several tanzanite crystals and chose the piece that eventually became the L’Heure Bleu. 

In 2013, it won first place in the carving category of the American Gem Trade Association’s annual Spectrum Awards. 

The gemstone sits on a sterling silver base inspired by the winds of Tanzania’s Great Rift Valley.

Sarna is also involved in humanitarian work in Tanzania, which includes teaching Maasai women to make wire-wrap jewelry using tanzanite.

While in Tanzania, Sarna witnessed the effects of poverty and eye disease on the community. She plans to donate the profits from the eventual sale of the L’Heure Bleu to the Portland-based Casey Eye Institute to provide eyecare to the Maasai. 

In 2017, National Jeweler reported the asking price as $500,000.

“The Guinness World Records brings international recognition and attention to my tanzanite carving L’Heure Bleu. This recognition gives great strength to my promise to help the Maasai with their vision difficulties. This is the cornerstone for our future hopes to provide eye care to the Maasai in Tanzania,” said Sarna.

Dr. Andreas Lauer, chair of the Casey Eye Institute, attended the weighing ceremony. Simultaneously, doctors from the institute were arriving in Tanzania for a cataract conference.

“The Casey Eye Institute is in Naomi’s debt. In the future, patients, their families, and the Maasai community will feel her passion and love as they express it through their smiles and joy from improved vision,” said Lauer.

For information on purchasing the L’Heure Bleu, contact Sarna directly at 917-325-2455, or visit her website. 

source/content: nationaljeweler.com (headline edited)

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In a ceremony last month, Naomi Sarna’s carved 703-carat “L’Heure Bleu” set a Guinness World Record as the world’s largest cut tanzanite. Its sterling silver base is inspired by the winds of Tanzania’s Great Rift Valley.

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AMERICAN / TANZANIAN STONE

YEMEN: Prof. Najla Al-Sonboli : Heroine’s mission to save wartime Yemen’s children. Recognised as ‘Heroine for Health at the World Health Assembly’ meeting in 2018 Geneva

Heroine’s mission to save wartime Yemen’s children.

How can one focus and work without a salary? Or when bombs are exploding nearby? Or when you worry that your staff won’t make it home? Or that a cholera epidemic could compromise your hospital?

For the past six and a half years, LSTM alumna, Prof. Najla Al-Sonboli has dedicated her life to helping some of the most vulnerable victims of war-torn Yemen, the children. Every day she sees innocent children come through the doors of her hospital, victims of a war that has ravaged her home country.  “I see children suffering and dying right in front of my eyes, I needed to do something to help.”

While at LSTM, Prof. Al-Sonboli initially studied for a Masters in Tropical Paediatrics graduating in  1999. She then later went on to complete the Diploma in Tropical Child Health. Following that she completed her PhD in paediatric health at LSTM with supervision from Professor Luis Cuevas and research in her home country of Yemen.

Now a leading paediatrician and researcher, Prof. Al-Sonboli is the head of the Paediatric Department at Al-Sabeen Hospital for Maternity and Children in Yemen’s largest city of Sana’a.

“I love kids, I can’t bear the thought that anything could hurt them. So, I decided to study paediatrics and help children in Yemen. Because of war, they are dying from diseases, hunger and cross fire. They are suffering too much; many have lost their parents, and many are displaced and separated from their families and their homeland.” 

In the face of war and grave personal risk, Prof. Al-Sonboli and her team work tirelessly providing essential and much needed medical care to thousands of children, whilst organising staff to provide voluntary services with minimal resources and coping with new challenges her paediatric department faces.  “Every day brings new challenges. We are facing the spread of many epidemics and diseases such as measles, cholera and severe malnutrition.”

 “We are admitting cases even on the floor, on chairs, inside their cars with IV stands to prevent them from getting shocked. It is a real disaster”.

“At times we have had to work under fire. Parts of our hospital have been  destroyed, and once, one of the rockets hit inside the hospital. This meant our medical staff couldn’t come to work.”

After years of brutal conflict, many of the doctors and nurses are tired. For years, staff have received no salary, many being left without enough money to feed their families. “Some of my colleagues are struggling to buy food for their own children.  When this happens, we all come together and make sure we can support them by collecting small amounts of money to help them”.

For some time now staff at LSTM and the broader Liverpool community have been raising vital funds to support colleagues to provide essential medical care to save children’s lives in an incredibly difficult situation. This has since seen the formation of the ‘Liverpool Friendship Group’ which has  supported six voluntary nurses, two doctors and extended the Paediatric Intensive Care unit (PICU) and Emergency services for children, bought equipment and developed a new cardiopulmonary resuscitation point.

“The toughest challenges that I faced are to work without salary, if it wasn’t for the generosity of LSTM alumni, staff and the Liverpool community, we don’t know what we would do”

Outside from her day-to-day work, Prof. Al-Sonboli remains a close research partner of LSTM and together with Dr Nasher-Al-Aghbari (another LSTM alumnus); Profs Cuevas and Theobald have held awards from TB REACH on strategies to enhance case findings amongst vulnerable groups.

When asked for the best advice she has ever received, she said “To be a good leader, you have to lead by example – you have to become a symbol”. Prof. Al-Sonboli is a living example of true leadership. Her work and determination have inspired her hospital staff to persevere when things become ugly and simultaneously inspired the international community to recognise her achievements.

“For me, I had the chance to fly out of Yemen as many did but I preferred to stay and help my people. I thought “if I run away and I am the head of the department, then who will stay? No one will come to work.” So, I decided to go to my hospital under fire and to try to encourage my colleagues to come, too.” 

In 2018, Prof. Al-Sonboli was recognised as a Heroine for Health at the World Health Assembly meeting in Geneva, for her tireless work in her home country of Yemen.

Nominated for the award by LSTM’s Professor Sally Theobald, Prof Al-Sonboli was recognised by Women in Global Health in association with GE, who celebrated the contribution of nine Heroines for Health, presenting each with an award for leadership in their communities. Unable to leave Yemen, Professor Theobald accepted the award on her behalf.

“Sadly, war and fragility are not going away. We need to recognise, honour and learn from Najla and all the heroes and heroines that work alongside her, in continuing their efforts to bring hope and save lives. This award reflects the respect and support from the global health community for all that they do.”

When interviewed for her Heroine of Health Award, Prof. Al-Sonboli credits her strong relationship with LSTM for keeping the hospital running, including providing much needed funds to rebuild destroyed wards and to treat increasing numbers of patients.

source/content: lstmed.ac.uk (LSTM) (headline edited)

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Prof. Najla Al-Sonboli Credit: UNICEF

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YEMEN

DUBAI, U.A.E: DP World completes a $400 million expansion of the Port of Callao, Peru

DP World announced today the completion of a $400 million expansion project at the Port of Callao in the Republic of Peru, to enhance the container handling capacity of the port’s southern terminal by 80%.

The Bicentennial Pier expansion project focused on increasing the length of the berth from 650 meters to 1,050 metres, making Callao one of the few ports in South America capable of accommodating three ships, or two mega ships, at the same time.

On the other hand, the project increased the handling capacity from 1.5 million TEUs (twenty-foot containers) to 2.7 million TEUs annually, and the container yard was also expanded to reach a total area of ​​40 hectares.

According to DP World, the Callao Port expansion project comes within the framework of ambitions to expand in Latin America, which were announced last month.

His Excellency Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World Group, said: “We are proud to contribute to a more sustainable future for Peru and for global trade.”

He added: “This investment confirms our firm commitment to supporting economic growth in the region and strengthening Callao’s leading logistics position, as a commercial center that sets new standards for sustainable port operations in South America.”

For his part, Carlos Merino, CEO of DP World in Peru and Ecuador, said that the completion of the Bicentennial Pier expansion project represents a turning point for the economy in Peru, which considers the port of Callao its economic center, through which more than 90 passengers are handled. % of the goods transported by containers in the country, and 60% of those goods are transported through the southern terminal.

In addition to expanding the quay and container handling capabilities, the project also adds state-of-the-art electrical powered equipment to the southern terminal at Callao Port. Including 15 cranes and 20 internal transport vehicles, making it the first port terminal in the world to have an equipment fleet of this size.

Merino added: “With the introduction of the latest electrically powered equipment and the application of sustainable practices, we are paving the way for a more efficient and sustainable future of global trade.”

To promote the transition towards sustainable energy in Peru, the southern terminal in the port of Callao now has the first electric vehicle charging station in Latin America with a capacity of 2 megawatts, to support DP World’s fleet of electric internal transportation vehicles, and contribute to reducing more than 2,000 tons of emissions. carbon dioxide annually.

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)

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DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

MOROCCAN Writer Abdelfattah Kilito Wins 2024 Grand Francophonie Prize

Kilito has won several accolades, with his most recent being the International Prize of King Faisal for Arabic Language and Literature in 2023.

The renowned Moroccan writer Abdelfattah Kilito has been awarded the 2024 Grand Prix de la Francophonie by the French Academy.

Since its establishment in 1986, the Grand Prix of the French Academy has been dedicated to acknowledging Francophone individuals whose impactful efforts, whether locally or globally, have greatly supported the maintenance and propagation of the French language.

The French Academy revealed its roster of 2024 honorees on Thursday evening, recognizing 67 individuals across diverse domains such as literature, poetry, criticism, philosophy, history, cinema, theater, and French music.

Born in 1945, Kilito is a professor emeritus in the French department at Mohammed V University in Rabat. He has also taught in Paris, Princeton, and Harvard. 

He has authored numerous works in both Arabic and French, in addition to publishing studies and research in Moroccan and Arab journals and scientific reviews.

Kilito has been recognized with numerous accolades, most notably the 2023 International Prize of King Faisal for Arabic Language and Literature.

Among his other awards, Kilito has received the Great Moroccan Award in 1989, the Atlas Award in 1996, the French Academy Award in 1996, and the Sultan Al Owais Prize for Criticism and Literature Studies in 2006.

The Grand Prix represents a pinnacle of achievement in celebrating Kilito’s profound influence on the French language and culture, both in his homeland and on a global scale. 

As his scholarly contributions and literary talent continue to resonate globally, this latest award is another resounding acknowledgement of Kilito’s enduring legacy and his dedication to advancing intercultural dialogue within the global francophone community. 

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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MOROCCO

SAUDI ARABIA assumes Presidency of ‘Arab League Educational, Cultural & Scientific Organisation (ALESCO) until 2026

Saudi Arabia has assumed the presidency of the Executive Council of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization until 2026.

The official announcement was made on Friday during the 27th session of the ALECSO, which was held in Jeddah under the presidency of Saudi Arabia. During the session, Iraq handed over the presidency to the Kingdom.

In a speech delivered on behalf of Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Education and Chairman of the Saudi National Committee for Education, Culture and Science Yousef Al-Benyan welcomed the ministers and heads of national committees for education and science participating in the session.

Al-Benyan stressed the Kingdom’s humanitarian and fraternal support for the Gaza Strip within the framework of Arab cooperation and solidarity.

He affirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for Khalid Anan, the only Egyptian and Arab candidate for the position of director-general of the organization.

Al-Benyan concluded the speech by praising the efforts of Arab countries in supporting ALECSO, and building bridges of communication to achieve common regional goals.

Saudi Deputy Minister of Education Mohammed Al-Sudairi confirmed that holding the ALECSO meetings in Jeddah coincides with an increase in the role of Saudi national institutions to support the work of the organization.

He added that the number of Saudi initiatives exceeded 45, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s interest and belief in the importance of working with international organizations and its regional environment.

Iraqi Minister of Education Ibrahim Al-Jabouri, head of the 26th session, pointed out achievements made in the previous session, and various programs aimed at building bridges of cooperation between Arab culture and the rest of the world.

Director General of ALECSO Mohammed Ould Omar thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for hosting the event in Jeddah.

He presented the most prominent programs, initiatives, and projects implemented by the organization between the 26th and 27th sessions with international organizations, such as UNESCO, the work of the Arab Summit in Algeria, the Francophone Summit, the 13th Conference of Arab Ministers of Education in Rabat, and the International Conference on Adult Education, also held in Morocco.

At the end of the 27th session, ministers and heads of the Arab delegations agreed on the importance of supporting the Palestinian cause, condemning and denouncing the displacement that the Palestinian people, as well as the destruction of Palestinian antiquities.

They also addressed the importance of supporting culture, education, innovation, and science in the Arab world. 

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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SAUDI ARABIA / ARAB SCIENCE

SUDANESE-EGYPTIAN Marwa Zein, A Multi-identity Film Director, Scriptwriter, & Film Producer

Get to know this brilliant Arab woman !

Born in Saudi Arabia and the daughter of a Sudanese father and Egyptian mother, Marwa Zein is a woman that truly embodies multiple identities, and for many it is this that perhaps shines through the most in her work. Even when it comes to her roles, that diversity and multiplicity are frontline and center. An award-winning director, scriptwriter, film producer, women’s rights activist, and founder of ORE Production, a Khartoum-based film production company, Zein is inspiring in every way.

Before setting off on a journey to become a filmmaker, Zein enrolled in Cairo University as a chemical engineering student to please her parents. While studying, she worked and saved up to have the means to leave her degree behind three years later, instead study cinema at the Academy of Arts in Cairo, Egypt in 2005. In 2009, she graduated with honors and moved to Germany to continue her film studies. Her graduation project, “A game,” was an official selection of more dozens of international festivals across the globe and was translated into five languages.

From her inspiring start into the world of film and her academic achievements, Zein moved on to bigger goals, nabbing awards for her short film “One Week, Two Days,” which premiered at the 2016 Dubai International Film Festival. In 2019, she was selected as one of the seven young filmmakers from across to attend the Cannes Film Festival 2019 by the International Emerging Film Talent Association (IEFTA).

Perhaps her most renowned recent work is “Khartoum Offside,” which was awarded Best Documentary for 2019 at the 15th Africa Movie Academy Awards AMAA 2019. The documentary tells the story of women footballers whose dream it is to play for Sudan at a Women’s World Cup hosted by their home country, revealing the challenging social, economic, and political situations they face and inspiring audiences with their tale.

Speaking to Women and Hollywood in 2019, Zein had some inspiring words of advice for other female filmmakers, saying, “There’s no competition. Everyone is unique, and we can’t tell the same story even we have the same idea. You are special, different, and inspiring, and you lead the way for the people coming after you.”

“Take care of your mental, physical, and financial situations. It’s a very challenging and demanding business, so don’t lose your soul in the process. Stay true to who you are, and you will reach the horizon,” she continued.

source/content: abouther.com (headline edited)

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SUDAN / EGYPT