Abu Dhabi is expanding its search for eco-warriors and opening up the Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Environment Award to all emirates. The inaugural award, given out in 2024, had only been open to applicants in the capital. Next year, the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency (EAD) plans to take it global.
"The next cycle I hope will be at the global level," Osama Bassam Abu Saleem of the EAD told The National. "We are working on that." The eco award was launched in 2023 to highlight efforts that focus on safeguarding the planet. It aims to raise awareness of important steps being taken on the path to sustainability by campaigners, researchers and businesses.
The award is named after the chairman of the agency's board of directors, who also serves as the Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed emphasised its importance as "we are at a defining moment in our environmental journey".
"The Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Environmental Award is an open invitation to all – scientists, businesses, policymakers and young leaders – to come together and drive meaningful change. Let us commit to building a future that is not only sustainable but also thriving, resilient and inclusive.”
Applications for the awards will open in March. Financial awards will be granted to the winners, with the total amount depending on the number and quality of submissions, Mr Abu Saleem said.
Categories in the awards include the Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Environmental Medal, which will be awarded to people who have a positive impact on the environment, and the Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Environmental Research Award, which recognises scientific research, either individual or collective, in the field of environment and sustainable development.
THE BIO
Mr Al Qassimi is 37 and lives in Dubai
He is a keen drummer and loves gardening
His favourite way to unwind is spending time with his two children and cooking
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
Saturday's schedule at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
GP3 race, 12:30pm
Formula 1 final practice, 2pm
Formula 1 qualifying, 5pm
Formula 2 race, 6:40pm
Performance: Sam Smith
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
HEADLINE HERE
- I would recommend writing out the text in the body
- And then copy into this box
- It can be as long as you link
- But I recommend you use the bullet point function (see red square)
- Or try to keep the word count down
- Be wary of other embeds lengthy fact boxes could crash into
- That's about it
LIGUE 1 FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday
Nice v Angers (9pm)
Lille v Monaco (10.45pm)
Saturday
Montpellier v Paris Saint-Germain (7pm)
Bordeaux v Guingamp (10pm)
Caen v Amiens (10pm)
Lyon v Dijon (10pm)
Metz v Troyes (10pm)
Sunday
Saint-Etienne v Rennes (5pm)
Strasbourg v Nantes (7pm)
Marseille v Toulouse (11pm)
