Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri is the secretary general of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi
August 28, 2021
Today is a very special day and it is a genuine pleasure for me to celebrate Emirati Women’s Day. An important national occasion, the day marks pride in the achievements of Emirati women and their contribution to the renaissance of the UAE.
By announcing the celebration of this day, Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation and Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, affirmed that the UAE attaches great importance to the role of women and appreciates the efficiency and excellence that they demonstrate in executing their duties and responsibilities.
Sheikha Fatima, who also serves as President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, has played a pivotal role in the empowerment of Emirati women. She has always ensured that we have a strong and reliable support system, allowing us to achieve our goals. As such, it is fitting that the theme for Emirati Women’s Day this year is "Women: Ambitions and Inspiration for Next 50 Years". This is in line with the announcement by the President, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed of 2021 as “Year of the 50th”, as we celebrate the golden jubilee of the UAE.
Women looking to enrol themselves for the Federal National Council at the General Women's Union in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari /The National
Emirati Women’s Day 2021 pays tribute to the leadership’s support and empowerment of women, which has been constant and unconditional. And I can attest that our leadership’s agenda to empowering women has helped me to become the leader that I am today.
The UAE has always been a forward-looking nation and it is because of our government’s vision that we have achieved the unprecedented progress that we celebrate on this day. To continue on this path of success we need to remain committed to the UAE's futuristic vision. I believe that the theme of this year’s Emirati Women’s Day encourages us to do just that. It is our role to look as far as 50 years ahead and to every day serve as role models to the next generations.
As an Emirati woman, I have always looked to the example set by our wise leadership. It has empowered women, provided us with the support and resources to help build our beloved country and achieve our environmental vision, which is to preserve our natural heritage.
As environmental protection is one of our most important duties, we should be proactive in integrated planning that includes vital sectors in Abu Dhabi, so that we set a comprehensive and balanced development model that considers nature, green development and environmentally-friendly scientific and technological advancement.
Abu Dhabi's mangroves. Sara Dea / The National
While today we celebrate Emirati Women’s Day, a group of Emirati female leaders and researchers at EAD are participating in developing the Environmental Centennial 2071 plan. The idea is to pave the way forward and outline priorities and action plans to ensure that the environment remains one of the UAE’s main topics of discussion and action. This plan was inspired by the "UAE Centennial 2071" strategy that aspires to make the UAE the best country in the world by the 100th anniversary of the union of the UAE.
The Centennial plan has been shaped by anticipated global trends and it reflects creative solutions with the hope to mitigate future challenges.
Since the establishment of EAD more than 25 years ago, women have achieved a lot at the local, regional and global level. But there is still much more work that needs to be done. As experienced environmental scientists, it is vital that we educate all those around us and, most importantly, the next generation about the importance of the environment. It is our job to lead the conversation, devise plans and suggest ideas that will engage society as a whole and help preserve the environment for years to come.
On the occasion of Emirati Women’s Day, I congratulate Sheikha Fatima and all Emirati women for their distinguished efforts and dedication to raising families and building a better society. I affirm my commitment to continue our journey, inspired by the Mother of the Nation, and will work to instil values in my children that the nation was founded on. Children are the future, and they will take the lead in the future. I will always teach my children that they too have a role to play in conserving the environment and in various fields – including in empowering and advancing Emirati women.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.
These portfolios are made up of exchange traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to indices such as US and global equities, fixed-income products like bonds, though exposure to real estate, commodity ETFs or gold is also possible.
Investing in ETFs allows robo-advisers to offer fees far lower than traditional investments, such as actively managed mutual funds bought through a bank or broker. Investors can buy ETFs directly via a brokerage, but with robo-advisers they benefit from investment portfolios matched to their risk tolerance as well as being user friendly.
Many robo-advisers charge what are called wrap fees, meaning there are no additional fees such as subscription or withdrawal fees, success fees or fees for rebalancing.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11 What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time. TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
