Month: February 2023

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14 Arab countries submit draft Counter-Terrorism Strategy Executive Plan

Riyadh, Representatives of 14 Arab countries have submitted the draft executive plan for the Arab Counter-Terrorism Strategy as developed by the Council of Arab Interior Ministers for consideration.

This came during the seventh two-day meeting of the Arab high committee to prepare the draft, hosted by the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences at its headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The meeting, organized by the Arab Office of Counter-Extremism and Terrorism (Riyadh) and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, was chaired by representative of Oman Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed bin Salem Al-Shanfari, and attended by delegations from Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Morocco, Mauritania, Yemen and a representative of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The meeting aimed at reviewing the components of the executive plan, its means of implementation and the accompanying programs and activities with international partners, as well as the mechanisms for measuring, monitoring and evaluating the plan.

Undersecretary of Naif Arab University for Security Sciences for Foreign Relations Khalid Al-Harfash stressed that terrorism tops issues that the university is keen to address with well-studied scientific methods through its scientific programs and activities, given the threats of such crimes and their impacts on international security and stability, noting that the university has adopted a plan to implement the scientific program for stage plans to execute the Arab counter-terrorism strategy that the Arab Interior Ministers Council endorsed in its 14th session.

Al-Harfash said that the university, in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), has recently inaugurated a specialized center that aims to be a regional center of expertise in combating crime, including terrorism and organized and transnational crimes, expressing hope that the recommendations and resolutions adopted by the representatives of the Arab countries would achieve the goals and objectives of Arab ministers of interior, and contribute to boosting the endeavors of Arab international action in the field of counter-terrorism.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

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QFA President Elected to FIFA Council

MANAMA – HE President of Qatar Football Association (QFA) Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani was elected as a member of the FIFA Council, the main decision-making authority of world football’s governing body, at the 33rd Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Congress in Manama, Bahrain.

The victory of HE the QFA President was confirmed after he received the most votes in the election – 40 – from among the seven candidates for the five positions.

In addition to Asian representatives for the FIFA Council, AFC Executive Committee members for the term 2023-2027 were also elected by delegates from the continent’s member associations.

The 33rd AFC Congress also witnessed the re-election of Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa for the position of President of the AFC, having stood unopposed.

Contesting alongside HE the QFA President for membership of the FIFA Council were many top leaders of Asian football, such as Do Zhaocai (China) – 18 votes; Kozo Tashima (Japan) – 39 votes; Mong Gyu-chung (South Korea) – 19 Votes; Datuk Haji Hamidin bin Haji Mohd Amin (Malaysia) – 30 votes; Mariano Araneta Jr. (Philippines) – 34 votes, and Yasser Hassan Al-Misehal (Saudi Arabia) – 35 votes.

When it comes to football in Asia, the governing body is the AFC Congress. For the first time since the extraordinary meeting of the Congress in Paris in June 2019, AFC representatives from different regions and countries got together in person. Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, was also present at the meeting.

Source: Qatar Olympic Committee

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The Minister of Municipality Meets with the Minister of Public Works and the Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy of the State of Kuwait

On Tuesday (yesterday morning), H.E. Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Subaie, Minister of Municipality, met with H.E. Dr. Amani Suleiman Buqmaz, Minister of Public Works and Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy of the State of Kuwait and her accompanying delegation, who is currently visiting the State.

During the meeting, bilateral relations between the two countries have been discussed in the field of public works, infrastructure, roads and urban planning. They also highlighted the necessity of preparing memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the State of Qatar and the State of Kuwait in the field of improving the implementation, construction and maintenance of roads between the two countries. This is in addition to exchanging information, experiences and field research in this field, besides enhancing aspects of cooperation in areas of common interest.

H.E. the Minister of Municipality pointed out the comprehensive urban renaissance of the State of Qatar in the form of buildings, roads, bridges and logistics services, with a view to achieving the Qatar National Vision 2030.

Source: Ministry of Municipality and Environment

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QATAR AIRWAYS AND AIRBUS REACH AMICABLE SETTLEMENT IN LEGAL DISPUTE

Qatar Airways and Airbus are pleased to have reached an amicable and mutually agreeable settlement in relation to their legal dispute over A350 surface degradation and the grounding of A350 aircraft. A repair project is now underway and both parties look forward to getting these aircraft safely back in the air.

The details of the settlement are confidential and the parties will now proceed to discontinue their legal claims. The settlement agreement is not an admission of liability for either party.

This agreement will enable Qatar Airways and Airbus to move forward and work together as partners.

Source: Qatar Airways

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H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed chairs meeting of Education and Human Resources Council

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Chairman of the Education and Human Resources Council, chaired a virtual meeting of the Council recently.

Sheikh Abdullah directed at the meeting to update the controls and standards of the EmSAT- The Emirates Standardized Test- for the current academic year in a manner that is consistent with students’ aspirations and to ensure their access to study seats in higher education institutions under a unified policy for national and international exams.

“The educational system must help students earn their university degrees in areas that are suited for their inclinations, skills, and abilities to be active partners in shaping their nation’s future,” he said, pointing out that students’ interests come first.

He noted the importance of keeping the country’s higher education system at a high standard so as to improve educational outcomes and meet labour market demands.

Sheikh Abdullah also underscored the importance of providing effective tools in educational institutions, as well as a unified system at the federal and local levels for testing and improving students’ proficiency in the Arabic language.

“Increasing student competence in Arabic is a top priority; it’s a crucial component of the UAE’s national identity,” Sheikh Abdullah stressed.

“When the Emirates Skills Team competed in the WorldSkills Competition, Nof Issa Al Shukaili took home the gold medal for her skills in health and social care, and the team as a whole brought home nine medals for their outstanding performance across a range of engineering and technological disciplines,” Sheikh Abdullah said while congratulating the Emirati team.

“Their accomplishments demonstrate the caliber and significance of technical and vocational training in the UAE, and reflect the UAE wise leadership’s faith in the country’s youth,” he added, noting that such successes are an incentive for young Emirati talent to excel in a variety of sectors and skills at the local and global levels.

He went on to say that in order to improve their preparation and give them a chance to compete in the job market, students must develop professional and practical abilities early in the educational process.

“This increases the likelihood that students would unlock outstanding vocations that are a good fit for their abilities, passions, and interests so that they could efficiently contribute to their society.”

In order to implement high-quality training frameworks and programmes for students in key sectors, Sheikh Abdullah emphasised the need for coordinated efforts between the educational sector and businesses in the private sector. “These efforts must meet the needs of the labour market and improve students’ skills, capabilities, and competencies.”

For his part, the Minister of Education, Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, reviewed the EmSAT development and implementation plan within the national and international examination policy, which seeks to update the rules and standards of assessment instruments in the interests of students while remaining in accordance with the requirements of higher education institutions to ensure educational quality.

The meeting was attended by Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology; Sara Awad Issa Musallam, Minister of State for Early Education; Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation; and Shamma bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, and Secretary General of the Council, along with a number of high-ranking officials.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation