Two UAE companies have unveiled plans to develop sovereign cloud services in the country, aimed at deploying critical services and securely hosting data in the Emirates.
Abu Dhabi's Space42 teamed up with Core42 and Microsoft to build a sovereign mobility cloud, which will serve as a hub for infrastructure hosting mobility data and autonomous systems.
The technology will also serve as a platform for high-definition mapping, telematics, fleet operations, traffic management and digital twins, Space42 said on the sidelines of the Dubai World Congress on Wednesday.
Sovereign cloud capability refers to a country's ability to maintain control of its data by ensuring cloud services are hosted within its borders and subject to domestic laws and regulations.
The sovereign mobility cloud is "a secure digital backbone" for the UAE’s future transport, Space42 told The National. "It powers tools like live traffic management, digital maps, fleet tracking, and realistic simulations of roads and vehicles," the company said.
It also gives transport authorities, industry and researchers a secure way to share data and test new ideas, and "make autonomous vehicles and smart mobility safer, faster, and easier to manage".
Space42 said its sovereign mobility cloud will enable it to deploy applications in co-operation with regulators, and drive adoption through pilot programmes and commercial schemes, with data shared securely across government, industry and research groups.
“The UAE has always led in technological innovation, and autonomous mobility is no exception," Fan Zhu, senior vice president of autonomous mobility at Space42, said.
"By building the nation’s first sovereign mobility cloud ... we are setting a global standard for secure, trusted platforms in mobility and autonomous systems," he added.
Separately, e& enterprise, the digital transformation arm of Abu Dhabi technology group e&, will be offering the next generation of OneCloud, a UAE sovereign hyperscale cloud platform powered by Oracle.
The service brings more than 200 Oracle cloud infrastructure services to organisations that must keep data in-country and meet strict regulatory requirements, e& enterprise said on Wednesday.
OneCloud aims to "enable leaders to scale artificial intelligence, modern applications and data-led services at home", said Khalid Murshed, chief executive of e& enterprise.
"This is about accelerating innovation, strengthening trust and giving every organisation – from public institutions to industry leaders – the confidence to grow on UAE soil.”
There is growing demand for sovereign cloud providers amid the shift towards national security and data privacy. The global sovereign cloud market is projected to hit nearly $650 billion by 2033, from an estimated $96.8 billion in 2024, growing at a compound annual rate of about 24 per cent, data from Grand View Research indicates.
Dubai telecoms operator du started offering its sovereign cloud and AI services in July, in partnership with Oracle, to private and public sector organisations in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
“The technology landscape is changing dramatically due to the growing importance of data sovereignty and localisation, which has become a critical consideration for public and private sector cloud and AI deployments in the UAE and beyond,” said Richard Smith, an executive vice president at Oracle.
The UAE public sector is one of the most digitally advanced in the world. It is embracing the latest technologies such as cloud, AI and machine learning to improve citizen services, security and access to the latest digital offerings.
When asked how much Space42 was investing in sovereign mobility cloud services in the UAE, the company did not disclose the amount, but told The National that it is "a strategic initiative for the businesses involved and the UAE".
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
Company profile
Date started: December 24, 2018
Founders: Omer Gurel, chief executive and co-founder and Edebali Sener, co-founder and chief technology officer
Based: Dubai Media City
Number of employees: 42 (34 in Dubai and a tech team of eight in Ankara, Turkey)
Sector: ConsumerTech and FinTech
Cashflow: Almost $1 million a year
Funding: Series A funding of $2.5m with Series B plans for May 2020
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More coverage from the Future Forum
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
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APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
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Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
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In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The biog
Name: Gul Raziq
From: Charsadda, Pakistan
Family: Wife and six children
Favourite holes at Al Ghazal: 15 and 8
Golf Handicap: 6
Childhood sport: cricket
