Category: Business & Economy

PALESTINE : Sheikh Mohammed congratulates Dr Suad Amiry Winner of Great Arab Minds Award in Architecture and Design

Dr Suad Amiry recognised for decades of heritage conservation work.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Sunday congratulated the winner of the 2025 Great Arab Minds Award in the Architecture and Design category.

Sharing his congratulations on social media, Sheikh Mohammed said: “We congratulate the winner of the Great Arab Minds Award in the Architecture and Design category for 2025, Dr Suad Amiry from Palestine, founder of the Riwaq Centre for Architectural Conservation.”

He praised Dr Amiry for her pioneering efforts to preserve Palestinian architectural heritage, highlighting her work in restoring and reusing historic buildings in ways that strengthen urban identity.

Dr Amiry, who leads the Riwaq Centre, was recognised for her role in one of the largest architectural documentation projects in Palestine. The initiative produced a registry of more than 50,000 historic buildings and contributed to the revival of 50 historic centres.

Her projects have also created job opportunities and training for craftsmen working with traditional building materials, while actively involving local communities in restoring their villages.

Sheikh Mohammed extended his “heartfelt congratulations to Dr Suad Amiry for her well-deserved recognition and decades of dedication”. He also prayed for the protection of Palestine, saying: “May God protect Palestine and breathe new life into its historic villages and buildings, ensuring its heritage endures as long as the Arab memory lives on.”

Dr Amiry’s research has been widely recognised for its detailed documentation of traditional Palestinian homes, including stonework, flooring, decorative features and architectural layouts that reflect the richness of the region’s built heritage.

The Great Arab Minds Awards honour influential figures whose work has made a lasting impact on Arab culture, scholarship and society.

source/content: gulfnews.com (headline edited)

_________________

Dr Suad Amiry / @HHShkMohd/X

_______________

PALESTINE

ARAB Media Forum Opens in Beirut: Minister Morcos Honors Prominent Journalists

The Arab Media Forum kicked off in Beirut on Wednesday with an opening ceremony honoring a group of distinguished journalists and media figures. Minister of Information Dr. Paul Morcos and Secretary-General of the Arab Media Forum Madi Abdullah Al-Khamis presented the awards.

Honorees included Yolande Khoury, Rafic Khoury, Jacques Wakim, Nicolas Sabbagh, producer Sadiq Al-Sabah, Dr. Sami Kleib, Mounir Al-Hafi, Fares Yawakim, and Rose Farah Zamel (Warda), among others. 

The event also recognized MEA Chairman Mohammad El-Hout, research CEO Mohammad Ali, Voco Hotel GM Roy Yougharios, and Phoenicia Hotel Director Marie Choueiri.

Minister Paul Morcos himself was also honored for his role in reviving Lebanon’s media vision and strengthening Arab media cooperation.

source/content: nna-leb.gov.lb (headlines edited0

______________

________

ARAB

EGYPT : Dr. Yasmine Fouad Receives 2025 Nobel Sustainability Medal

Her tenure as Minister of Environment included a modern waste management system, the issuance of the region’s first sovereign green bond, work across protected areas, and nearly 20,000 green jobs.

The Nobel Sustainability Trust has selected Dr. Yasmine Fouad to receive the 2025 Nobel Sustainability Medal, an announcement that comes as she concludes her role as Egypt’s Minister of Environment and takes up the position of Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Over 26 years, Fouad’s work has moved across environmental policy, climate diplomacy, and sustainable development, from early research on ecological resilience to convening communities, scientists, and policymakers. That human-centred lens has taken her to countries facing climate impacts, meeting pastoralist communities navigating drought, women rebuilding livelihoods after environmental shocks, and youth calling for climate justice. In Egypt, her tenure as minister included a modern waste management system, the issuance of the region’s first sovereign green bond, work across protected areas, and nearly 20,000 green jobs. During COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, she put adaptation and resilience at the centre of negotiations, bringing the needs of vulnerable communities into the room. The medal reflects values present in her work — resilience, collaboration, and belief in people’s role in shaping their future — and places attention on the Arab region and Africa within the sustainability conversation. As climate pressures intensify — from water scarcity to land degradation and drought — Fouad often frames sustainability as a human agenda focused on dignity, safety, and livelihoods, with an eye on what future generations will inherit. In her acceptance message, she dedicated the medal “to the women who rebuild their communities, the young people who refuse to inherit despair, the workers who turn scarcity into innovation, and the families who choose hope every day.

source/content: cairoscene.com (headline edited)

____________

_________

EGYPT

TUNISIA : 10 Tunisian companies awarded for their innovation in the textile sector

Ten prizes, covering research, development, innovation, and entrepreneurship, were awarded to companies and young Tunisian entrepreneurs during the 2nd edition of the “TEX AWARDS” competition, held last Friday in Tunis at the initiative of the Tunisian Federation of Textiles and Clothing (FTTH).

The exporting garment company Altutex Group won the award in the Digital Innovation category. The startup Green Nonwomen Visline, specialized in transforming textile waste into sustainable and eco-friendly solutions, received the “Influential Startup” award.

Meanwhile, Trading Logistic Service, a company specialized in textile platforms and packaging, received the “Distinguished Exporter” award.

Sartex – Société des Arts Textiles, specialized in producing finished denim products, was recognized in the “Sustainable Textile (Green Textile)” category.

The prize dedicated to research, development, and innovation was awarded to Vizmerald, a company specialized in creating connected electronic products and intelligent 3D graphic simulations. The Ksour Essef Textile Training Center was honored in the “Training” category.

Additionally, Walid El Ghoul and Abir Obeid were recognized in the “Young Leaders” category. In the “Pioneering Women” category, the award went to Salwa Zouari.

The ready-to-wear brand Kontact also received an award in the “Tunisian Brand” category. Finally, Mesjed Aïssa Confection (MACO) was honored in the “Influential Personalities” category.

During the ceremony, presided over by Minister of Industry, Mines, and Energy, Fatma Thabet Chiboub, a tribute was paid to the pioneers of the textile sector: Abdelaziz Dahmani, Béchir Saïdani, Anis Saïdani, and Helmi Kâali.

The TEX AWARDS competition aims to honor innovative companies and highlight success stories that can inspire young entrepreneurs and startups, thereby boosting creativity and innovation.

According to data from the Ministry of Industry, the textile and clothing sector includes 1,365 companies, employing more than 160,000 people. It also comprises 200 integrated companies with a global presence and fully oriented toward exports. Sector exports are expected to exceed 9 billion dinars by the end of the current year.

source/content: en.africanmanager.com (headline edited)

______________

_____________

TUNISIA

.

TUNISIAN Women Entrepreneurs Honored for Innovation and Impact at the 10th FET Awards

Tunisian Women Entrepreneurs Honored for Innovation and Impact at the 10th FET Awards

On February , 2025, the 10th edition of the Trophées de Femmes Entrepreneures de Tunisie (FET) honored nine outstanding Tunisian women entrepreneurs for their innovation, resilience, and the impact of their ventures. Organized by Managers magazine in collaboration with the Delegation of the European Union and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, the event brought together a distinguished audience, including ministers Asma Jabri (Family, Women, Children, and Seniors), Fatma Thabet Chiboub (Industry, Mines, and Energy), and Jihene Srioui (Financing and Partnerships, Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training).

In her opening speech, Sahar Mechri, Executive Director of Managers, emphasized that the FET Awards are more than a celebration, they are a validation of bold journeys and a source of inspiration for future generations of women leaders.

Spotlight on the 2025 Woman Entrepreneur of the Year

Malak Boukthir, founder of Ecofeed, was named Tunisian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 for her groundbreaking project that transforms crab waste into sustainable animal feed a powerful example of eco-innovation.

Other Honorees Included:

  • Teycyr Chtioui (Chkarty) – EU Inclusivity Award
  • Hadhami Rjiba (Relead) – UIB Tech Impact Award
  • Mejda Khaled (Agaruw) – BYD Sustainability Award
  • Sonia Amiri (Oléa Amiri) – CDC Agribusiness Award
  • Ibtihel Ben Hadj Mbarek (Herbalya Natural Care) – PGH Industrial Excellence Award
  • Asma Daoudi (Lihaf Home) – MAE Heritage Award
  • Imen Bakhti (La Seine) – Microcred Empowerment Award
  • Fatma Midani (Soul & Planet) – Meninx Marketplaces Award

Beyond Recognition: Support for Growth

Along with financial prizes from sponsors, the winners will benefit from a tailored mentorship program offered by the Club des Femmes Entrepreneures de Tunisie. Thanks to the support of the European Union Delegation, they will also receive personalized guidance through various EU-funded projects, including Adapt, Greenov’i, CQE (Qualitative Growth for Employment), Insadder, and Initiative Tunisie.

The FET Awards go beyond accolades, they celebrate a thriving community of women entrepreneurs driving Tunisia’s social and economic development. By highlighting their stories and successes, the event strengthens the spirit of sorority and underscores the transformative power of female entrepreneurship in Tunisia.

source/content: freiheit.org /Friedrich Naumann Foundation (headline edited)

______________

Tunisian Women Entrepreneurs Honored for Innovation and Impact at the 10th FET Awards

____________

TUNISIA

MAURITANIA : Sidi Ould Tah: Africa’s new ‘super banker’

Sidi Ould Tah is the first Mauritanian to become president of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and will need all his international experience to tackle the challenges facing the institution.

The 60-year-old economist was the last to declare his candidacy for the post and ran a whirlwind campaign during which he highlighted his 10 years as head of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).

He claimed to have transformed it from an institution “unknown to rating agencies” to one of the highest-rated development organisations in Africa.

“I have demonstrated my transformative leadership style that has elevated the bank to the level of a leading player in the African development landscape,” he said in his application statement to the AfDB.

A discreet man who speaks sparingly, his style will be a clear contrast with his flamboyant predecessor, Nigeria’s Akinwumi Adesina.

Tah’s programme is based on four main points: strengthening regional financial institutions; asserting Africa’s financial independence in global markets; leveraging demographic dynamics as a development tool; and building resilient infrastructure to climate change.

His entourage is touting his ability to replicate his successes at the BADEA at a larger institution like the AfDB, which has $318 billion in capital.

“The AfDB has to abandon traditional bureaucratic models for a more fluid approach based on results,” he said.

– African legitimacy –

Tah, who was Mauritania’s economy minister from 2008 to 2015, is calling for a “break with the approaches of the past”, in a world where the “challenges and opportunities of Africa have taken a new dimension”.

The new AfDB president speaks French, English, Arabic and Wolof, which is spoken in several west African countries.

He managed the impressive feat of rallying diplomatically diverse supporters behind his candidacy, from Sahel countries such as Mali to France.

His score of more than 72 percent among African voters gives him continental legitimacy. His entourage claimed before the vote he had support from the very first round from all African regions.

US President Donald Trump’s administration has vowed to suspend $500 million in aid to the AfDB, but Tah has argued other financial backers such as Gulf countries could step in.

On environmental questions, he intends to promote Africa’s natural resources to move towards a “viable energy transition, reconciling economic and environmental imperatives”.

“Even though Africa is a minimal contributor to global CO2 emissions, it bears the full brunt of the effects of climate change,” he said.

“It is therefore imperative to integrate sustainable practices and to harness renewable energy in development projects.”

Tah holds a master’s degree in economics from the University of Nouakchott in his native Mauritania and a doctorate from the University of Nice in France.

source/content: digitaljournal.com / Pierre Donadieu (headline edited)

_____________

Sidi Ould Tah is the first Mauritanian to serve as African Development Bank president – Copyright AFP/File SAUL LOEB

__________________

MAURITANIA

SYRIA : Maysaa Sabrine becomes first woman appointed as Syria’s Central Bank governor

Syria’s new administration announced on Monday the appointment of Maysaa Sabrine as the governor of the Central Bank of Syria, making her the first woman to hold this position in the bank’s history.

Prior to her new role, Sabrin held several prominent positions within the Central Bank, including First Deputy Governor and Supervising Director. She also served as the Head of the Office Supervision Department.

In addition to her roles within the Central Bank, Sabrin has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Damascus Securities Exchange since 2018, representing the Central Bank.

Sabrine holds a master’s degree in accounting.

Her appointment comes amid calls for the inclusion of Syrian women in the new Syrian government.

Earlier this month, Aisha al-Dibas was appointed as the head of the Office for Women’s Affairs, becoming the first woman to hold an official position in the new Syrian administration.

source/content: english.alarabiya.net / AlArabiya English (headline edited)

________________

Maysaa Sabrine. (File photo)

__________

SYRIA

EGYPTIAN Islamic scholar and geologist Zaghloul El-Naggar dies aged 92

Egyptian Islamic scholar and geologist Zaghloul El-Naggar, a leading figure in the field of scientific interpretation of the Qur’an, has died at the age of 92.

El-Naggar passed away in Amman, Jordan, after a battle with illness, according to statements released on his official social media accounts on Sunday.

His funeral prayer will be held on Monday at Abu Aisha Mosque in Amman, followed by burial at Umm Al-Qutain Cemetery.

Born on 17 November 1933 in the village of Mashal in Egypt’s Gharbia Governorate, El-Naggar showed an early passion for science.

He graduated with honours in geology from Cairo University in 1955, earning the Mustafa Baraka Award in Earth Sciences. He obtained a PhD from the University of Wales in 1963 and became a full professor in 1972.

El-Naggar’s career spanned decades of teaching and research at universities in Egypt, the UK, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Yemen, Jordan, and the United States.

He chaired the geology department at Qatar University, taught at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, and served as a visiting professor at UCLA.

He also directed Al-Ahqaf University in Yemen and later taught at the World Islamic Sciences and Education University in Jordan.

He became one of the Arab world’s most recognised voices on the relationship between science and faith, authoring numerous books and delivering hundreds of lectures on what came to be known as the “scientific miracles of the Qur’an and Sunnah”.

His popular TV programme Ayat Bayyinat (“Clear Verses”) aired across Arab channels, exploring Quranic descriptions of natural phenomena.

El-Naggar was a member of the International Commission on Scientific Signs in the Qur’an and Sunnah and was honoured several times for his contributions to promoting scientific understanding within an Islamic framework.

source/content: newarab.com (headline edited)

______________

El-Naggar passed away in Amman, Jordan, after a battle with illness [Al-Araby Al-Jadeed]

__________

EGYPT

IRAQ-KURDISTAN : First Gene/Seed Bank in Kurdistan Region to Preserve Iraq’s Agricultural Heritage

Under the auspices of H.E. Mr. Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Iraq marked a major step toward safeguarding its agricultural heritage and enhancing its food security with the laying of the foundation stone for the first-ever Gene/Seed Bank in the Region.

The facility, located in Hawari Shar Park in Sulaymaniyah, is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Federal and Regional Governments as part of the  “Restoration and Strengthening the Resilience of Agri-Food Systems in Iraq” project. The facility will enable the preservation of plant genetic diversity, enhance food security, and build resilience against climate change.

The event was inaugurated by H.E. Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Mr. Qubad Talabani; H.E. Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Ms. Begard Talabani; the Governor of Sulaymaniyah, Dr. Haval Abubakir; the Mayor of Sulaymaniyah, Ms. Leyla Omar Ali; the FAO Representative in Iraq, Mr. Salah El Hajj Hassan; along with a number of senior representatives from  academic and agricultural institutions.

H.E. Mr Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister, emphasised the importance of this initiative, saying: ‘The gene bank is an investment for the future; it protects our past and secures our future.’

The Gene/Seed bank is a strategic facility for conserving Iraq’s rich plant genetic diversity, which includes over 3,500 plant species originating from the ancient civilizations that once flourished in Iraq—the cradle of civilization. These species hold scientific, historical, and human value across the region and globally. The facility will enable the conservation of rare plant genetic resources, including wild varieties of grains, vegetables, and indigenous crops. It will also strengthen Iraq’s capacity to conserve seeds and make use of valuable genetic traits—such as drought tolerance—from wild species to support the development of more climate-resilient crops.

In her remarks, H.E. Minister Begard Talabani stated: “This initiative represents a strategic milestone in the journey of developing the agricultural sector by protecting plant diversity and supporting scientific research. It will enable farmers to benefit from our historical plant heritage and will allow us to preserve our agricultural legacy for future generations.”

FAO Representative in Iraq, Mr. Salah El Hajj Hassan, expressed his sincere appreciation to FAO’s national partners in the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government for their close collaboration and support. He also acknowledged and thanked the European Union for funding this initiative under the scope of the  “Restoration and Strengthening the Resilience of Agri-Food Systems in Iraq,” project,  which also reflects the follow-up to the recommendations resulting from  the FAO Director-General visit to Iraq and his meetings with senior officials. He added that this facility represents a center for scientific innovation in research and resilience-building. It enables the preservation of Iraq’s historical, environmental and agricultural heritage, ensures that future generations can benefit from it, and stands as a testament to FAO’s commitment to transforming Iraq’s agricultural legacy into a powerful tool for sustainable development.”

The gene bank will house modern storage vaults, laboratories, research and training facilities, and seed data documentation and conservation areas. Future expansion is anticipated to include a field gene bank, a tissue culture laboratory, and a cryobank.

The initiative directly contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger and SDG 13: Climate Action, by investing in biodiversity conservation and climate-resilient agriculture.

source/content: fao.org – FAO of the UN (headline edited)

______________

______________________

IRAQ / KURDISTAN

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES University registers a patent for an innovative graphite compound extracted from date syrup

The United Arab Emirates University announced that it has obtained a new patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office in the field of environmental science and renewable energy, which is the invention of a carbon nitride graphite compound supported by date syrup.

This patent represents an important step in the development of photocatalytic technologies for converting water into hydrogen using light, which represents a significant advance in sustainable energy technology.

The innovative compound, developed by a team of researchers at the United Arab Emirates University, including PhD student Malath Sulaiman, under the supervision of Dr. Mohammed Taher, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, uses date syrup as an aid to accelerate the photocatalytic process. The compound is manufactured by mixing carbon nitride graphite with date syrup at high temperatures, which improves the efficiency of converting water into hydrogen.

Dr. Mohammed Taher, the project’s principal investigator, explained: “We are proud of this invention, which reflects the United Arab Emirates University’s commitment to innovation in the field of renewable energy. By combining date syrup with carbon nitride graphite, we were able to develop an effective material that can greatly enhance the photocatalytic process, helping to address the challenges of climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.”

This discovery is the result of ongoing efforts by researchers at the United Arab Emirates University, who are working on developing innovative solutions to environmental and energy challenges. Initial studies have confirmed that the new compound is capable of generating hydrogen with high efficiency, opening up new and wide-ranging applications in the field of clean energy and green hydrogen production, and represents a promising step towards enhancing the UAE’s position in the renewable energy sector globally. 

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)

_____________

__________________________________

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)