Dubai Government Communication Network Strengthens Strategic Collaboration
Dubai's General Network for Government Communication (GNGC) reaffirmed its commitment to unified, strategic messaging across the emirate's government entities during its quarterly meeting held at the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC).
Hosted at PCFC's newly inaugurated headquarters in Port Rashid, the meeting brought together key government communication leaders to strengthen collaboration and align efforts in promoting Dubai's global standing. Attendees included Sultan bin Sulayem, Chairman of PCFC; Nasser Al Neyadi, CEO of PCFC; and Sabah Salem Al Shamsi, Acting Assistant Secretary General for Government Communication and General Secretariat Affairs.
In his address, Sultan bin Sulayem highlighted the critical role of government communication in advancing the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). He underscored PCFC's dedication to driving innovation and sustainability in trade and logistics while supporting Dubai's positioning as a world-leading business hub.
Sabah Al Shamsi praised the choice of venue, noting Port Rashid's symbolic significance in Dubai's rise as a global trade center. He emphasized the need for integrated government communication to reflect Dubai's ambition and engage communities in shaping its future.
The session featured strategic presentations from various entities. PCFC's Hind Shaker outlined initiatives enhancing corporate identity and visibility, while Hessa Al Hashmi of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority unveiled a refreshed brand identity linking heritage with future growth. Fatima Alawi from Expo City Dubai detailed preparations for the Asia-Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors' Forum 2025 — the event's first appearance in the Middle East.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to cohesive messaging, integrated communication strategies, and impactful storytelling to elevate Dubai's narrative on the global stage.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
India's $2.4 trillion gold stash outshines global central banks
India's cultural and economic fascination with gold has turned the country into the world's largest private gold vault. Households, including religious institutions like temples, collectively hold an estimated 25,000 tonnes of gold, valued at approximately $2.4 trillion at current market prices, according to the World Gold Council (WGC). This massive stockpile equates to nearly 56 per cent of India's projected nominal GDP for FY26, underlining the metal's central role in the nation's financial ecosystem. A recent report by HSBC reveals that Indian household gold reserves have surpassed the combined official gold holdings of the world's top 10 central banks — including the US, Germany, Italy, France, Russia, China, Switzerland, Japan, Turkiye, and India itself. While these central banks hold strategic reserves as part of their monetary policy frameworks, Indian families have long embraced gold as a personal hedge against inflation, economic instability, and currency depreciation. India ranks second globally in annual gold consumption, just behind China, and consistently imports between 700 and 900 tonnes of gold each year. In 2023 alone, India imported over 800 tonnes of gold, significantly contributing to the country's current account deficit. Despite its negative impact on trade balances, gold continues to be seen as a safe, inflation-resistant store of value, especially in rural and semi-urban households where access to formal banking remains limited. 'As the world increasingly turns to gold amid geopolitical tensions and inflation fears, India's quiet gold hoarding may offer both a challenge and an opportunity — a symbol of trust in tradition and a vast untapped reserve in the global financial landscape,' JK Bhaskar, a Dubai-based precious metal analyst, said. Gold is also deeply embedded in Indian social and religious customs. From weddings and festivals to donations in temples and religious trusts, the demand for gold remains culturally robust. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), Shirdi Sai Baba temple, and Padmanabhaswamy Temple are among India's largest institutional gold holders, with combined assets running into several hundred tonnes. Much of this gold remains idle or locked in vaults, although various schemes have been introduced by the government to monetise these holdings. In recent years, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been steadily expanding its own gold reserves, in line with a global trend among central banks diversifying away from US dollar-denominated assets. RBI's gold reserves currently stand at around 820 tonnes, reflecting a 14 per cent increase over the past three years. Analysts see this as a prudent move to bolster financial stability amid global economic uncertainty and de-dollarisation trends. While successive Indian governments have attempted to reduce gold imports through higher duties and gold monetisation schemes, the metal remains deeply entrenched in household balance sheets. With gold prices hovering near all-time highs, many see the asset not just as jewellery or tradition, but as a strategic long-term investment.
Zawya
4 hours ago
- Zawya
The Saudi Arabia pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka achieves 1 million visitors
A significant milestone was reached on May 14, 2025, with the Pavilion recording 17,969 visitors in a single day. Irth Restaurant and Café welcomed 58,135 guests with over 45,000 cups of coffee served. The Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is open daily from 09:00 – 21:00, inside the West Gate in the Connecting Zone (C14-01). Osaka, Japan — The Saudi Arabia Pavilion has celebrated a historic milestone by welcoming over one million visitors at Expo 2025 Osaka. Since opening on April 13, 2025, the Saudi Arabia Pavilion has hosted 1,137 events, with 1,021 held inside the Pavilion and 116 within the Expo 2025 Osaka venue. The Saudi Arabia Pavilion, the second largest after the host country, Japan, is designed by Foster + Partners to showcase Saudi Arabia's rich heritage and culture and demonstrate the country's goals of fostering sustainable and empowered societies. Made from lightweight Saudi stone, the Pavilion design creates a spatial experience that echoes the exploration of towns and cities throughout the country, reflecting the country's deep-rooted cultural heritage. Providing a multi-sensory experience that showcases Saudi Arabia's transformative journey under Vision 2030, the Pavilion shares the Kingdom's commitment to enhancing the quality of life through innovation and technological modernisation. The Pavilion has also been recognized for its innovation, style and impact at the 2025 New York Architectural Design Awards by winning Gold under the 'Cultural Architecture - Interactive and Experiential Spaces' category. Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Japan and Commissioner General of the Saudi Arabia Pavilion, 'We are honored to mark this significant milestone and the Saudi Arabia Pavilion's success in reaching 1 million visitors, which underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to showing its transformation under Vision 2030 and inviting the world to experience its heritage and foster cultural exchange. As we move towards reaching the next million, the Pavilion remains committed to inspiring visitors to learn about Saudi Arabia's achievements, and we look forward to deepening impact and welcoming the world. Our participation in Expo 2025 Osaka embodies our strong relationship with Japan, marking 70 years of diplomatic relations this year. As we journey towards Expo 2030 in Riyadh, we will leave a legacy here in Osaka. Expo 2030 Riyadh will be a testament to Saudi Arabia's transformation as a global destination – and we are eager to welcome the world to Saudi Arabia.' Featuring over 700 events through the Expo program, ranging from live performances, dances and traditional shows, visitors to the Saudi Arabia Pavilion can experience a wide range of Saudi culture, heritage and art through programs. These include Ahlan Wa Sahlan, We Are Saudi Arabia, The Botanist Augmented Reality experience, and musical and artistic performances at the Cultural Studios and signature events celebrating Saudi Arabia's most important milestones, including Saudi National Day on September 23. In addition, the Saudi Arabia Pavilion offers an exciting visitor journey across seven immersive rooms and galleries, from The Evolving Cities, Sustainable Seas, Unlimited Human Potential, and The Pinnacle of Innovation, where every visitor can see up close the Kingdom's global impact. The full program of events for the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is available on the official website: Media Contact: Email: Media@ Website & Social Media Handles: Instagram: @ksaexpo2025 X: @KSAExpo2025_ YouTube: @KSAExpo2025 LinkedIn: Saudi Arabia at Expo Facebook: KSA Expo 2025 TikTok: @ksaexpo LINE: KSA 大阪万博2025 Website:
Khaleej Times
5 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE emerges as global leader amid rising geopolitical tensions, says expert
As global power dynamics evolve in unpredictable ways, the UAE is emerging as a model of resilience and opportunity in a rapidly transforming international environment. Experts in the UAE highlighted the country's 'nimble approach' to global disruption — fuelled by investment in knowledge, climate solutions, and cross-border partnerships — is positioning the UAE as a pivotal player in an era marked by volatility and competition. Amid escalating conflict and mounting tensions in the Middle East, Trevor McFarlane, Founder and CEO of Emerging Markets Intelligence & Research (EMIR), said, 'President Trump comes to power in this second term and he recognises that we are in this multi-unstable, multi-polar period… you have a geopolitical, geo-economic, technological, environmental, even from a sociological perspective, you have a 'volcano world'.' He made the statement while speaking at the 'News9 Global Summit UAE' on Thursday, June 19. McFarlane added, 'And this completely changes the chapter of where we're in (one that challenges conventional assumptions about stability).' Strategic alliances drive UAE's global relevance However, he reiterated that rather than retreating in the face of such uncertainty, the UAE is leaning into its global role with a future-ready strategy focused on innovation, sustainability, and smart diplomacy. The country's expanding partnership with India — one of the world's fastest-growing economies — is just one example of how it's turning disruption into opportunity. 'You have two countries, India and the UAE… there is a remarkable opportunity as a result of this… and you have a country like the UAE, which is admirably nimble,' McFarlane added. He emphasised that future global leadership will be shaped not only by geopolitical strength but also by advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and decarbonisation. Meanwhile, as McFarlane emphasised on the UAE's global agility in the face of sweeping disruptions, another expert had similarly pointed out how this approach was mirrored in the country's evolving geopolitical alliances. Kristian Patrick Alexander, Lead Researcher at Rabdan Academy, in an earlier interview with Khaleej Times underlined the UAE's emphasis on regional cooperation and stability through practical, forward-thinking agreements. 'Trump prioritised (in his first term as President) bolstering ties with key allies like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, seeking to counterbalance Iranian influence in the region through a combination of sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and arms deals. His administration's hallmark achievement — the Abraham Accords — focused on fostering economic and security cooperation between Israel and several Arab nations, marking a shift toward a Middle East strategy rooted in coalition-building against common adversaries.' 'The UAE's commitment to innovation and security fits Trump's pragmatic approach, which values partnerships with nations willing to bolster regional stability and economic development,' he added. Specialists also noted that as the international system confronts increasing complexity, the UAE's blend of strategic foresight, innovation-driven policies, and global partnerships offers a roadmap for how nations can thrive — even in the most uncertain of times. From launching AI-powered government initiatives to hosting global sustainability forums, the UAE continues to invest in long-term relevance. 'The race for knowledge supremacy… AI would be one, decarbonisation and climate change would be the other,' McFarlane said. 'There will be parts of the world that will experience great instability… but the UAE's positioning gives it an edge.'
