Strategic Partnership between the UAE and the United Nations (UNDESA) to advance regional digital integration
New York, In line with efforts to strengthen international cooperation and accelerate digital transformation, a milestone event in regional digital collaboration and sustainable development was held at the United Nations headquarters in New York, on the sidelines of the Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals Forum.
A new partnership agreement was signed between the Government of the United Arab Emirates, represented by H.E. Eng. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, Director General of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). This partnership represents a practical model for implementing the principles of the Global Digital Compact in support of inclusive digital development.
During the meeting, participants discussed implementation mechanisms for the agreement and capacity-building efforts, with a focus on leveraging global best practices and the UAE's successful digital government experience as a framework to achieve regional digital integration.
The discussions also emphasized the importance of this partnership in supporting digital transformation efforts across the Arab region, rooted in the principles of the Global Digital Compact, while aligning with local needs and the Sustainable Development Goals.
This new collaboration further promotes regional dialogue, knowledge exchange, and forward-looking policy development, in line with the vision of the Global Digital Compact. The UAE's experience continues to serve as an inspiring regional model in this vital field.
About TDRA:
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) is responsible for regulating and developing the telecommunications and information technology sector in the United Arab Emirates, while also driving digital transformation at the national level.
TDRA works to provide an advanced regulatory environment that supports innovation, stimulates investment, and ensures the delivery of cutting-edge and sustainable telecommunications services.
The authority plays a pivotal role in leading the digital transformation journey by developing digital infrastructure, empowering the telecommunications sector, and enhancing the ecosystem of digital government services.
TDRA is committed to improving the quality and continuity of digital services by establishing legislative and regulatory frameworks that foster innovation and strengthen the country's readiness to keep pace with rapid digital advancements.
Its responsibilities include regulating the telecommunications sector to ensure competitiveness, protecting consumer rights, and maintaining a balance between service providers. Additionally, TDRA leads the national digital government strategy, manages the radio frequency spectrum, and regulates the use of wireless frequencies to support various sectors, including telecommunications and smart services.
With a visionary approach, TDRA aims to position the UAE as a global hub for digital innovation and enhance its readiness for the digital future, in alignment with the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031 and the UAE Centennial 2071 Agenda.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
24 minutes ago
- The National
Pioneering Emirati pilot on a mission to inspire as UAE women build for the future
The sky is the limit for a trailblazing Emirati woman hoping to inspire others to make their dreams take flight as she provides a crucial guiding hand in the success of a cutting-edge crewless aircraft made in the UAE. Mariam Al Mansoori recently etched her name in the history books when she became the first female citizen to remotely pilot the high-tech Garmoosha, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The light aircraft was developed by Adasi, a subsidiary of defence conglomerate Edge, to act as a critical tool for armed forces by flying into hazardous areas to capture valuable information without putting a pilot's life at risk. Edge is one of the top 25 military suppliers in the world, known for investing heavily in innovation, smart weapons and emerging technology. Ms Al Mansoori, a senior production engineer at Adasi, was among the high-flying Emirati women to tell The National of their achievements to mark International Women in Engineering Day, celebrated on June 23 each year. 'I'm so proud of myself. Recently I achieved my dream. I became a UAV pilot for Garmoosha," said Ms Al Mansoori, who joined Adasi nearly a decade ago. "So I'm not only working as an engineer, I'm also a UAV pilot.' She has worked on Garmoosha from its earliest days, involved in its development, integration and testing, and now supervises its production line. 'It's amazing. You build it, then you see it fly and you have full control. That feeling is huge,' she said. 'Since the first day I joined Adasi, I had this plan, inshallah, one day I will become a pilot. Last week, I graduated.' She is now certified after completing ground school and 20 hours of field training. 'When you see Garmoosha flying and you're the one in control, it's something else," she said. Her success, she said, sends a message to young Emirati women: 'Women can work and achieve in all fields. Our role is not different than men's.' Leading from the front Mouza Al Zaabi, an engineer at Edge subsidiary PPI, works in the defence and oil and gas division. She leads complex repair projects from start to finish – from technical analysis to customer communication and delivery. 'As an engineer in a high-precision, high-stakes environment, every day is a learning opportunity,' she said. 'These challenges have shaped me, I've become more resilient and agile.' Ms Al Zaabi said her family have always been her foundation by offering their encouragement. 'They encouraged me and made me the proud Emirati woman I am today,' she said. 'Their belief gave me strength.' Her advice to anyone wanting to follow in her footsteps is: 'Always believe in yourself. Don't underestimate what you can bring. Engineering isn't about gender, it's about skill and passion.' Powering progress At Halcon, another Edge company that focuses on guided weapons systems, Aliya Al Jaberi works as an engineer in the power electronics department. She is responsible for designing how electricity is controlled and distributed across the company's advanced weapons platforms. 'I've been at Halcon for three years now,' she said. 'What fascinated me about electronics engineering is understanding how complex, critical systems work.' She acknowledges the challenges of working in a male-dominated field but sees it as an opportunity for growth, not limitation. 'It shaped me for the better,' she said. 'My advice to other women: trust yourself. Our country has invested in us, now it's time we give back.' Championing diversity Emirati women are also reshaping the workplace landscape at Ducab, one of the region's largest cable and wire manufacturers. Out of 99 engineers at Ducab, 16 are women, an encouraging number in an industry historically dominated by men. Ducab is a member of the Challenger Programme, a national initiative to increase gender diversity in heavy industry by improving workplace culture, leadership pipelines and company policies. Projects in the pipeline include gender audits, a culture toolkit and cross-organisational mentorship programmes. Gender should be no barrier Asal Alameri, an operational excellence engineer, sets performance standards and works on improving manufacturing processes across the company's cable production plants. 'It's a very fun and challenging field,' she said. 'Engineering isn't as physical or male-oriented as people think. It's about solving problems.' She joined Ducab through a student sponsorship while studying at Higher Colleges of Technology. Her sister who is also an engineer, paved the way. 'She taught me things I didn't know – like how GPA [grade point average] works from the first semester, or the importance of attendance and first impressions,' Ms Alameri said. 'That made a difference.' While cable production is still machinery-heavy, she says the engineering teams are increasingly balanced. 'Maybe not 50-50 yet, but women are excelling in every department,' she said. 'It's not about quantity, but quality.' Rising to the challenge Shaima Ali, senior material engineer at Ducab, manages the raw materials that power the company's products – from copper and aluminium to specialised polymers. 'My background is chemical engineering,' she said. 'I can apply that to choosing the right materials and understanding how they affect quality and performance.' She began as a trainee engineer, moved into manufacturing, and now leads material selection and compliance, ensuring all materials meet regulatory and technical standards. 'It's never boring. There's always a new challenge,' she said. 'But the most exciting part is seeing how AI and technology are transforming our roles. "For example, we used to do reports manually. Now, with a few inputs, the system generates them automatically, saving 50 per cent of our time.' Her message: 'Believe in your potential. Don't let stereotypes define your path. Engineering needs diverse minds.' Shama Almarzooqi, also at Ducab, is a senior operational excellence engineer currently preparing to pursue a doctorate in artificial intelligence and sustainability in manufacturing. She joined the company in 2020 after being sponsored as a student in 2018. Since then, she has rotated through various roles from process engineering to manufacturing and now excellence optimisation. 'I'm a progress person,' she said. 'I already finished my Master's, and now I'm working on my research for a PhD. I'm thinking about how AI can make manufacturing more sustainable.' Her job involves analysing production data to reduce costs and improve quality. She works closely with departments across Abu Dhabi and Dubai. 'It's not a desk job,' she said. 'I move between departments and sites. Sometimes it's exhausting, especially in the summer, but when I see the results, I feel proud.' Among her recent accomplishments was helping to develop an AI tool to track production output and plan machine maintenance, reducing downtime and improving performance. 'It's a powerful feeling,' she said. 'It shows how data and innovation can create real value.' When she first told her family she wanted to become an engineer, it was a surprise for them. 'I was the first woman in my family to choose this path. It was a challenge just to explain it to them,' she said. 'But once I started, they gave me the strength to keep going.' Her advice to others: 'Engineering isn't just about machines or maths. It's about shaping the future. If you're curious and determined and want to make an impact, this is your path.'
Khaleej Times
43 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Israel-Iran conflict: Companies evacuate hundreds of employees from region
With the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, an increasing number of organisations are rushing to evacuate their staff from the region, according to security risk services company International SOS, which is actively supporting organisations across the region with real-time intelligence, risk assessments, and response planning. 'Since June 13 when the conflict began, we have evacuated over 200 people from different locations,' said Gulnaz Ukassova, the regional Security Director for Information & Analysis at International SOS. 'There are people who are already moving, not just from those two countries, but also from neighboring countries — and others that are in the process of planning. We help them with not just evacuating from the country, but also securing transport and support with all of the logistical arrangements afterwards.' The conflict between Iran and Israel escalated dramatically on Sunday when the United States bombed 3 Iranian nuclear sites. Another expert added that while international companies are evacuating employees from several countries in the region, they are not doing so from the UAE. However, flexibility is being offered. 'We are not aware of companies in the UAE relocating their employees,' said Tom Griffin, Managing Partner of Middle East & Africa of evacuation company, Control Risks. 'Instead, they are focusing on clear and frequent communication, a lesson well learned during the pandemic, to reassure their staff that they are monitoring the situation and taking steps to ensure their safety. Many are offering flexible work-from-home options to minimise disruption while keeping operations running smoothly.' Challenge of misinformation According to Tom, technology has dramatically changed the way evacuations are done; however, they could also pose a challenge. 'Today, we can tap into multiple trusted sources in real time, allowing us to make informed decisions faster than ever before,' he said. 'This speed is a game-changer; it enables us to respond to emerging threats with agility. However, it also introduces the new challenge of information overload, as well as dis- and misinformation.' He added that rumours, speculation, and misinformation can slow or even prevent decisions from being made. Gulnaz said that in the 'era of misinformation', clients depend on them to give accurate information. 'We promise to provide our clients with verified intelligence and actionable advice,' she said. 'So we tell them the situation and give advice and recommendations on what they can do.' Constant monitoring Both companies said that they constantly monitor the situation on the ground. 'We have an established global methodology for evacuation ratings and will define triggers specific to the situation on the ground, that prompt upgrades and downgrades of the ratings,' said Tom. 'Ratings are usually reviewed on a daily basis, but decisions to change them are weighed very seriously because of their implications on both people and business as well as associated costs." With the situation in the Middle East continuing to be fluid, Gulnaz said that they had sounded early warnings to their clients. 'On June 3, we published an in-depth analytical report where we looked at scenarios of how US-Iran talks might proceed,' she said. 'We indicated in that report that the likelihood of Israeli operation against Iran is very high. So based on that, we started advising clients early on.' Factors to be considered According to her, International SOS operates 28 global assistance centres, including one in Dubai, to ensure swift evacuation from anywhere in the world. She said that key triggers that prompt companies to evacuate their staff include direct threats to life, such as violence, civil unrest, or regional conflict spillover and operational barriers like curfews, internet shutdowns, and electricity outages. Tom added that other factors that were considered include whether land, sea or air borders were open or closed. 'We also have to look at the population of the workforce, whether they are expat or local and duty of care expectations,' he said. 'The nature and criticalness of services provided on the ground and business continuity considerations is another important factor. For example, a sales office is easier to close and reopen than a critical infrastructure asset. The risk of local movement to evacuate versus sheltering-in-place and available insurance and implications for triggering insurance claims are other important factors.'
Khaleej Times
43 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Up to Dh30,000 fine: UAE announces penalties for offences by public benefit institutions
In a recent Cabinet resolution, the UAE government has introduced a new framework for administrative penalties imposed on public benefit institutions. These measures aim to ensure compliance with Federal Decree-Law No. (50) of 2023, which regulates the operations of such entities. Under the new regulations, institutions can face fines ranging from Dh1,000 to a staggering Dh30,000 for various violations. These offences include failure to notify authorities of operational changes, unauthorised participation in events, and mismanagement of funds. Here is a list of offences and their corresponding penalties: Failure to notify changes within the institution First and second violations: Warning Third violation: Dh1,000 fine Fourth violation: Temporary closure for one month Unauthorized participation in events First violation: Warning Second violation: Dh1,000 fine Third violation: Dh2,000 fine Fourth violation: Temporary closure for one month Hosting individuals from within the country for events without approval First violation: Warning Second violation: Dh1,000 fine Third violation: Dh2,000 fine Hosting individuals from outside the country for events without approval First violation: Dh2,000 fine Second violation: Dh4,000 fine Third violation: Dh6,000 fine Fourth violation: Temporary closure for one month Participation in activities organized by associations or entities outside the country without approval First violation: Dh5,000 fine Second violation: Dh10,000 fine Third violation: Dh15,000 fine Affiliation or membership in any organization based outside the country without local approval and ministry authorization First violation: Dh10,000 fine Second violation: Dh20,000 fine Third violation: Dh30,000 fine Improper fund management First violation: Warning Second violation: Dh5,000 fine Third violation: Dh10,000 fine The resolution emphasises the importance of adhering to regulations and highlights the government's commitment to transparency and accountability within the sector. Institutions are urged to familiarize themselves with these new rules to avoid penalties and ensure their operations align with national standards.
