The UAE has pledged $40 million to supporting environmental programmes in Brazil. The funds, to be channelled through the Erth Zayed Philanthropies, will support projects in areas such as enhancing sustainable livelihoods for indigenous communities in the Amazon and tackling plastic pollution.
President Sheikh Mohamed unveiled the Erth Zayed Philanthropies in October to bring together philanthropic humanitarian drives with the aim of upholding the legacy of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and inspiring future generations.
Some of the associated commitments announced will include contributions from the Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, and Clean Rivers Ltd.
"When organisations collaborate, they bring together a diverse range of expertise, resources and perspectives to address complex issues such as environmental conservation, community resilience and sustainable development,” said Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, chairman of the board of trustees of Erth Zayed Philanthropies and chairman of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council.
He said the Erth Zayed Philanthropies initiatives aim to support projects with multiple social and environmental dimensions, especially those that improve livelihoods and achieve common objectives in enhancing economic and social development.
As Brazil and the UAE mark over 50 years of bilateral relations, Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation and member of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council, highlighted the close co-operation between the two countries in sectors such as renewable energy.
Brazil will host this year's UN Cop30 climate talks, to be held in Belem in November. At Cop28, the UAE launched the "Cop presidencies troika" - a partnership with Cop29 and Cop30 hosts to keep the 1.5ºC Paris agreement climate target within reach.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
