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Morocco has bolstered its global insurance standing with Bachir Baddou’s election, marking a significant step for African and Arab insurance sectors.
Bachir Baddou, Vice President of the Moroccan Federation of Insurance (FMA), has been elected Vice President of the Global Federation of Insurance Associations (GFIA) during its General Assembly in Cape Town on December 4, 2024. This marks a significant achievement for Morocco, as well as the African and Arab insurance sectors, in a global context.
Baddou, a member of the GFIA Executive Committee since 2016, has been recognized as the first Arab and African to hold a position in this key decision-making body. His election reflects growing recognition of Morocco’s contributions to the international insurance industry.
The GFIA, representing 89% of global insurance premiums through 42 member associations and one observer association from 68 countries, serves as the world’s foremost organization for insurers. It plays a crucial role in addressing shared challenges in the sector and engaging with international regulatory bodies.
The elections in Cape Town also saw the appointment of Stephen Frank of Canada as GFIA President. Other key members of the new leadership include Thea Utoft Høj Jensen from Insaurance Europe as Secretary-General, Toyonari Sasaki of Japan as Treasurer, Andrew Hall of Australia as Regional Representative, and Norma Alicia of Mexico as Head of Memberships.
Morocco’s active participation in the GFIA is part of broader efforts by the FMA to strengthen international cooperation and promote innovative approaches within the insurance sector. The federation’s work, led by its president Mohamed Hassan Bensalah, has contributed to the country’s growing influence in global insurance discussions.
The GFIA continues to address key issues affecting the industry, including regulatory frameworks, market accessibility, and global risk management strategies. Baddou’s election as vice president is expected to enhance Morocco’s role in these critical conversations, providing a platform to advocate for the perspectives of emerging markets and African economies.
This development showcase the increasing presence of Moroccan and African voices in global financial organizations as well as ongoing efforts to strengthen regional and international collaboration in the insurance sector.
The ‘Rig 1938’ tower made two entries in the Guinness Book of Records, as the world tallest water slide tower with a height of 76.309 meters; and the first tower of its kind to have 12 water slides.
General Manager and Chairman of Qetaifan Projects Company, Sheikh Nasser bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said in a press conference that the tower provides an exceptional experience that enhances Qatar’s position as a world class global tourist.
He added that the tower is not just an entertainment landmark, but a symbol that expresses Qatari culture and promotes creativity.
The tower, which is 85 meters high and includes 12 water slides, is an architectural masterpiece inspired by the history of oil and gas discovery in Qatar. It was designed according to the highest safety standards to be suitable for all age groups to enhance the visitor experience.
The tower is located in the heart of Meryal City, which extends over an area of 281 thousand square meters, and is one of the largest water parks in the region, with 36 innovative water games.
Meryal is part of Qetaifan Island North, which is an integrated tourism project extending over an area of 1.3 million square meters, and includes multiple facilities as well as residential, educational and health projects, making it a destination that combines authenticity and innovation.
Wafaa bint Saeed al Simriyah, a former talented basketball player, has become the first Omani woman to earn an international badge as a basketball court referee. She has been a certified basketball referee for several basketball tournaments.
The International Basketball Federation recently announced its roster of international referees for the term 2023-2025, and among the distinguished names is Wafaa bint Saeed al Simriyah from Oman. This is considered a historic achievement for Oman and marks her career as the first Omani female referee to receive this credential.
Wafaa had embarked on her basketball journey in 2012 with the Caledonian College of Engineering team, eventually joining the Omani national team and showcasing her skills in the 2019 Gulf Championship.
Representing the Ahli Sadab Club and the Petroleum Development Oman team in local tournaments, she said, “I chose basketball because it is one of the games I enjoyed playing the most since I was very young.”
Her list of accomplishments includes triumphs in various local championships, such as the Federation Championship, Basketball Trios Championship, Sultan University Championship, Corporate Championship, and internal championships of the Petroleum Development Oman Company. Notably, she has secured the top scorer award and best player award in many of the championships.
Transitioning to refereeing in 2019, Wafaa earned the International Refereeing Certificate for Backgammon Referees in 2020. Her journey into refereeing involved officiating in internal championships and leagues across different age categories.
Reflecting on this shift, she said, “As a player, my focus was on skill and tactics, but when I became involved in refereeing, I learned how to get a comprehensive grasp of all aspects of the game from a referee’s perspective.”
In 2020, Wafaa began officiating in internal championships and leagues across various age categories. She also took part in external camps in Kuwait and Qatar, which included matches.
Omani referees are currently recognised as elite, actively contributing to the refereeing of major continental competitions. With pride, she noted, “Our referees participate in refereeing the largest continental competitions.”
Recently awarded the international badge for the 2023-2025 session, she said it served as a motivation to intensify her efforts in this field. Her goal is to be fully prepared for any external assignment, emphasising, “I want to represent Oman optimally. I hope that obtaining this badge will motivate my fellow players to also engage in refereeing some day.”
To Omani female athletes, she offered valuable advice, saying, “Continue your efforts, develop your skills, set tough goals, and aim high. It requires a lot of effort and patience but you will reach your goals with dedication and hard work.”
Wafaa was, however, skeptical about the prospects of Oman hosting world championships, due to logistic constraints. Nevertheless, she said, “I hope to see Omani women’s basketball teams on the podium in coming years. We are capable of that.”
The Arab League announced today the launch of the Arab Common Electricity Market, in a step aimed at achieving regional integration in the field of electrical energy.
This was announced during the 15th session of the Arab Ministerial Council for Electricity, which was held in the New Administrative Capital of Egypt.
The meeting was attended by electricity and energy ministers and delegations from 22 Arab countries. During the meeting, two agreements were signed: the “General Agreement,” which defines the goals of the market and mechanisms for its development, and the “Market Agreement,” which sets the institutional and commercial framework for the market, including governance of operations and cooperation between member states.
The agreements were signed by the UAE, Kuwait, Palestine, Syria, Egypt,Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Libya, Sudan, Yemen, Morocco, and Jordan.
The goal of this market is to enhance the stability of electricity supplies, reduce costs, support investments in renewable energy, establish the position of Arab countries as major exporters of clean energy globally, improve electricity consumption efficiency, and expand developmental projects, thereby strengthening the national energy strategies of the member states.
Monumental mural recreates a historical photograph of the founding fathers.
Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office, in collaboration with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), has officially unveiled the Zayed and Rashid Mural, the world’s largest mosaic art installation in Hatta, which pays tribute to the memory of the UAE’s founding fathers, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. The launch forms part of the #ZayedAndRashid campaign, which celebrates key national occasions from Flag Day on 3 November to the 53rd Eid Al Etihad on 2 December.
The monumental 2,198.7 square metre mural on the slope of the Hatta Dam Water Falls, recreates a historical photograph of the founding fathers dating back to the time of the foundation of the UAE. The mosaic replaces a mural on the Hatta Dam Water Falls that also honoured the legacy of the UAE’s leaders. The mural has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest mosaic artwork.
The awe-inspiring artwork forms part of the latest edition of the Dubai Street Museum, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, in 2016, to highlight Dubai’s unique cultural identity, history, values and aspirations by creating distinctive public artworks across the emirate.
The project, part of the latest edition of the Dubai Street Museum, is aligned with Brand Dubai’s aim to create public artworks that not only tell the UAE’s remarkable story in powerful ways but also introduce iconic images that transform the community and visitors’ experience of key destinations. By working with both local and international artists, we seek to launch projects that enrich public spaces through art and creativity.”
The public art project was led by the Russian artist Sergey Korbasov, with the support of over 100 local and international artisans hailing from around the globe. They worked for over four months to handcraft the mosaic using 1.2 million individual pieces, each measuring 5 x 5 cm, in a remarkable demonstration of artistic excellence.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Hajar mountains, the mosaic incorporates natural materials from the Hatta region, including rocks and soil, ensuring the artwork resonates with the local environment and heritage.
The waterfall cascading along the slope of the Hatta Dam adds another element of natural beauty to the installation. Crafted with innovative techniques, the mosaic’s colour scheme is inspired by the traditional attire of the founding fathers, imbuing the artwork with both historical and emotional depth.
Saudi Arabia has officially launched the Jeddah Food Cluster, a major project aimed at transforming the city into a global business hub with an investment target of SR20 billion ($5.3 billion).
Spanning 11 million sq. meters, the cluster is now recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest food park in the world by area. The development is expected to create over 43,000 jobs, driving both local and national economic growth.
The opening ceremony, held on Nov. 24, was led by Prince Saud bin Mishal, deputy governor of Makkah, under the patronage of Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, governor of the Makkah region. It was attended by high-ranking officials, including Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef.
The inauguration of the cluster aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to strengthen food security, achieve self-sufficiency, develop food value chains, and establish the Kingdom as a regional hub for attracting both domestic and international investment in the food sector.
Located in Jeddah’s Second and Third Industrial Cities, the Jeddah Food Cluster is part of a larger industrial network in the Makkah region, which also includes industrial cities in Makkah and Taif. This region, which spans more than 50 million sq. meters, hosts over 2,000 industrial facilities specializing in sectors such as food production, pharmaceuticals, metals, and chemicals. The new food cluster is designed to enhance industrial productivity through cutting-edge infrastructure and strategic investments in key enablers.
Currently, the cluster houses 124 operational factories with investments totaling SR4.4 billion. These factories are estimated to produce around 4 million tonnes of goods annually across 10 industrial sectors and provide jobs for over 7,000 workers.
It also features 76 ready-to-use factories that comply with Saudi Food and Drug Authority standards. Additionally, the cluster has built a central laboratory to improve food quality and safety, as well as over 134,000 sq. meters of shared cold and dry storage facilities. By concentrating suppliers in one location, the cluster aims to create a sustainable, efficient supply chain.
The economic impact of the Jeddah Food Cluster is expected to be substantial, with national exports projected to increase by SR8 billion. The development is also anticipated to create thousands of job opportunities, particularly in the industrial and logistics sectors, and contribute approximately SR7 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP over the next decade. This aligns with the broader objectives of Saudi Arabia’s National Industrial Strategy and the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program, which aim to foster economic diversification and sustainable growth.
At the ceremony, MODON, the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, announced that the Jeddah Food Cluster had achieved a significant milestone, receiving recognition from a global organization. Prince Saud also toured an exhibition showcasing the involvement of private companies and government entities in the food supply chain. This was followed by the presentation of the global recognition certificate.
Several memorandums of understanding and agreements were signed during the event. These partnerships, which include collaborations with Umm Al-Qura University, the National Academy for Industry, and Halal Products Development Co., focus on developing specialized training programs, improving food safety, and promoting quality control within the food industry.
Alkhorayef, in his speech, emphasized that the Jeddah Food Cluster represents more than just an industrial project—it is a key element in the Kingdom’s broader strategy for sustainable economic growth.
“Through this cluster, we aim to leverage the ministry’s capabilities to serve Jeddah, the Kingdom’s economic hub, and a prime investment destination,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of connecting manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers to boost innovation and competitiveness, as well as to create new job opportunities, particularly for Saudi youth.
On the sidelines of the event, a panel discussion titled “The Future of Global Food Supply Chain Resilience for Innovation and Sustainability” was held, featuring industry leaders such as Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Badr, CEO of Almarai, Betty Ka, director of supply chain and delivery at the UN World Food Program, and Fabio Maia de Oliveira, general investment director at JBS Saudi Arabia. The panel explored strategies for building resilient and sustainable global food supply chains.
The launch of the Jeddah Food Cluster marks a significant step in Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to diversify its economy and strengthen its position as a global leader in the food industry.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef attends the ceremony to launch Jeddah Food Cluster. SPA
The 12th World Urban Forum (WUF), hosted in Cairo from November 4 to 8, achieved record-breaking levels of attendance and participation, as confirmed by UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN-Habitat Ana Claudia Rusbach.
She extended her gratitude to Egypt for the forum’s unprecedented success, highlighting Cairo’s contributions to making this year’s forum the most well-attended in its history.
During the closing-day press conference, Rusbach underscored the significance of the turnout, affirming that this year’s forum exceeded all previous benchmarks. Joining her at the conference were prominent Egyptian officials, including Egypt’s Minister of Local Development Dr. Manal Awad, Minister of Housing Eng. Sherif El-Sherbini, and Cairo’s Governor Dr. Ibrahim Saber.
Rusbach highlighted the value of collaboration between governments and local communities, particularly in addressing critical housing and climate challenges. She emphasized that adequate housing is a fundamental human right and underlined the importance of collective action in managing climate change’s impacts.
The forum spotlighted housing and urban development challenges, with discussions focusing on sustainable solutions, affordable housing access, and resilience in the face of climate threats. The event underscored the role of cities in advancing human rights and fostering community-driven solutions through international cooperation.
Amin Chiakha, an 18-year-old forward from FC Copenhagen, has officially announced his change of sporting nationality and is now eligible to represent the Algerian national football team, as revealed in a post on his Instagram account.
“I was born in Denmark to a Danish mother and an Algerian father—two incredible individuals who have enriched my life with the best of both cultures and have always supported me in everything I do. I feel both Danish and Algerian and could never choose between the two,” he wrote.
He continued, “I had the honor of representing Denmark at the youth national team level, a tremendous privilege where I gave my all every time I wore the Danish jersey. However, I have felt immense support and love from the Algerian people. The Algerian Football Federation has presented a serious and ambitious project that aligns perfectly with my vision for the future of my football career. After careful consideration of all aspects, I have decided to represent the Algerian national team moving forward.”
Finally, Amin Chiakha conveyed a message to the Algerian supporters: “I want to send a humble than you to the Danish FA (DBU). My Danish team mates and national team coaches for everything. I really enjoyed every moment, thank you…At the same time, I assure the Algerian people and fans that I will always strive to defend our colors, and I am grateful for the warm welcome I have received,” he concluded.
Egyptian architectural historian May El-Ibrashy is among the winners of the 2022 Prince Claus Impacts awards for her contribution and innovation in her community.
The Prince Claus Fund has announced on Tuesday the six recipients of the first 2022 Prince Claus Impact Awards.
The new award honours individuals whose work in art and culture engages their communities in innovative, positive ways while addressing issues of urgent contemporary relevance.
El-Ibrashy is an architect whose work centres on community engagement through heritage conservation, rehabilitation, preservation, and re-signification. She is the founder of the Megawra Built Environment Collective, a twinship between an architectural firm and an NGO.
Through her work she has managed to create a real difference for the often-marginalised communities living in Cairo’s historic centre and has created an important counter narrative to the current government’s focus on urban expansion and renewal, creating a new sense of hope and pride for the communities she works with.
Focusing on Al-Khalifa District in Sayeda Zeinab, Al-Hattaba district by the citadel, and Al-Imam Al-Shafii district, El-Ibrashy’s participatory conservation initiative is an inspiring successful community dialogue that has been going on for 10 years. The impact of the dialogue still resonates in the communities of Al Khalifa District, Al-Hattaba and Al-Imam Al-Shafii.
The other five recipients are:
Ailton Alves Lacerda Krenak (Brazil), an indigenous leader, environmentalist, and philosopher.
Alain Gomis (Senegal), a Senegalese-French film director and screenwriter.
Hassan Darsi (Morocco), a visual artist whose work promotes critical thinking about public spaces and citizenship.
Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara (Cuba), an artist and human rights defender.
María Medrano (Argentina) is a writer, poet and editor.
The Awards Ceremony shall take place in the Royal Palace Amsterdam on the 7th of December.
Palestinian documentary Vibrations from Gaza won the Best Short Film award at the 68th BFI London Film Festival (9 to 20 October 2024).
The 76-minute-long Vibrations from Gaza was among 10 films competing in London’s festival.
While announcing the winning film, the festival’s Short Film Competition jury praised the film saying: “We were astonished by the calibre of films in this competition and struggled to only award one film. Our winner is a film that uses sound to send reverberations through our bodies and souls,” reads the press release.
Vibrations from Gaza offers a glimpse into the lives of deaf children in the besieged and occupied Gaza Strip. Through the voices of children who have grown up under the relentless blockade and repeated Israeli aggression, it vividly conveys how they experience the bombings, destruction, and drone buzz overhead.
The short documentary — which is one of the last documentaries to come out of Gaza before the Israeli war’s eruption last year — features children Amani Iz Eldin, Musa and Mustafa Samour, and Isra Abuasr.
The film previously held its world premiere at the Palestine Cinema Days Film Festival in its home country before screening at numerous festivals and winning several awards, including Best Short at the Iran International Film Festival and the Azur Phoenix Award for Short Films at the Middle East and South Africa Film Festival.
Rehab Nazzal is a one-woman show in this film, serving as its director, producer, and writer.
Nazzal is a Palestinian-born multidisciplinary artist and educator based in Montreal, Canada and Bethlehem, Palestine.
Her work deals with the effects of settler and colonial violence on people, on land, and other non-human life in Palestine.
Nazzal’s photography, videos, sound, and installations have been exhibited and screened in Palestine, Canada, and internationally.
She has created multiple short videos, blurring the boundaries between documentary and video art, including Dima, A Night at Home, Canada Park, Bodies in Motion, Mourning, and Bil’in.
