“Driven by our commitment to social responsibility, we continue to advance efforts to protect the environment and preserve its biodiversity while championing nature-based solutions to combat climate change and accelerate progress towards net zero. Our mangrove-planting initiatives, carried out in cooperation with government and private sector partners, underscore the importance of integrated efforts in achieving environmental sustainability and supporting the UAE’s goal to plant 100 million mangrove trees by 2030. We will continue to expand green spaces in Dubai, enhance quality of life and engage the wider community in safeguarding our precious natural resources,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

Between 2023 and the end of May 2026, DEWA planted 14,650 mangrove trees at the sanctuary, with its beach clean-up campaigns removing more than 3,546 kilograms of waste, the majority of which were plastics. These initiatives brought together 2,154 volunteers, including DEWA employees, their families, staff from its subsidiaries and DEWA Academy students.

Volunteers praised DEWA’s efforts to raise awareness about the importance of planting and environmental conservation, highlighting the role of practical, scalable solutions in improving air quality and preserving terrestrial and marine habitats, as well as coastal ecosystems across Dubai.

Dubai, UAE, 18 June 2026 — Yango Group, global tech company, is expanding into public transport technology with the launch of an AI-powered management platform. The solution combines real-time data with operational tools in a single interface, helping transport authorities and operators manage complex urban mobility challenges.

Public transport remains one of the least digitised parts of urban infrastructure in many cities. Authorities and operators often rely on fragmented systems, leading to congestion, unreliable services and operational inefficiencies. According to the INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard, congestion increased in 62% of urban areas globally in 2025, highlighting the need for smarter transport management.

The new platform supports key areas of public transport management: network planning, daily operations and revenue control. Its AI layer analyses real-time and historical mobility data to forecast passenger demand, model traffic flows, identify network bottlenecks and suggest more efficient schedules, routes and fleet allocation. This enables authorities and operators to adjust networks of interconnected stops, identify areas with poor transport accessibility, introduce new routes, manage fleets, and monitor fare collection. According to internal estimates, integrated public transport solutions can help reduce traffic jams by up to 28%, lower operational costs by up to 35% and boost fare collection by up to 30%, while real-time data gathering and analysis can support up to 40% faster decision-making for city authorities.

“We work with urban mobility every day in cities around the world, from ride-hailing and navigation to delivery and other services. This gives us a practical view of how cities move and where the challenges are. Bringing that experience into public transport is a logical step. With the platform, we want to help cities build public transport systems that are easier to manage, more financially sustainable and more convenient for people to use, ” said Islam Abdul Karim, Regional head, Yango Group Middle East.

The solution also supports the integration of public transport services into the Yango SuperApp. Depending on the city and local implementation, passengers can access features such as multimodal trip planning, real-time vehicle tracking, digital ticketing, and transport card top-ups through a single interface, helping make urban mobility more convenient and predictable.

The launch reflects Yango Group’s broader focus on applying technology to urban mobility challenges and aligns with government agendas such as the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, including its 20-minute city initiative, which aims to make daily needs and destinations easier to reach through more sustainable and integrated mobility. As cities continue to grow and invest in smarter infrastructure, the company sees increasing demand for digital solutions that help transport authorities and operators make public transport more efficient, accessible and economically resilient.

Dubai, UAE 23 April 2026: SEE Holding, the leading UAE-based sustainable urban development group, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, today announced an advisory collaboration to support the early-stage development of ‘The Sustainable City’ projects across emerging markets in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia.

The collaboration will focus on screening priority markets, identifying local and private-sector partners, and conducting city-level diagnostics to help shape investment-ready projects that can expand access to sustainable and more affordable urban housing.

Under the collaboration, IFC will provide structured advisory support to help SEE Holding assess market demand, affordability dynamics, regulatory frameworks, environmental and social considerations, and overall project bankability. The engagement is expected to be carried out in phases, beginning with market sounding and the identification of priority locations and potential counterparties, followed by more detailed diagnostics in selected cities. The objective is to help convert development needs into investable opportunities and strengthen the pipeline of bankable, sustainable urban projects.

“Our model has always been built on a simple but powerful premise: that cities can be designed to sustain themselves, environmentally, economically, and socially. Through The Sustainable City, we have proven that integrated, net zero emissions communities are not only viable, but scalable,” said Faris Saeed, Founder & Chairman of SEE Holding. “This collaboration marks an important step in taking that model globally, adapting it to new markets to deliver resilient, self-sufficient communities that are better equipped for the challenges of the future.”

“Emerging markets are facing growing urban pressures, from housing shortages and affordability gaps to the urgent need for energy-efficient and climate-resilient cities,” said Wagner Albuquerque, IFC Regional Industry Director for Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services. “This partnership aims to help deliver scalable sustainable city projects across IFC’s country of operations leveraging on proven experience of SEE Holding and the Sustainable Cities innovative model. This collaboration will support improving access to quality housing, strengthening infrastructure, creating jobs, and attracting private investment in the markets that need it most.”

SEE Holding has been designing and developing sustainable cities through its flagship model, The Sustainable City, a proven and scalable model for net zero emissions, self-sufficient urban communities. The model combines on-site food production, renewable energy, water production & recycling, circular waste management, clean mobility, and human-centric design to reduce emissions while enhancing quality of life and long-term affordability.

Beyond its environmental performance, the model is underpinned by a comprehensive development approach that integrates master-planned communities with long-term capital partnerships alongside local institutions and sovereign investors. It also incorporates essential community infrastructure, including schools, clinics, offices, and shared facilities, designed to generate stable, recurring value while reinforcing affordability and livability across developments.

In emerging economies, more than 1.26 billion people lack adequate housing, and roughly 210 million additional housing units will be needed by 2030 to keep pace with urbanization and demographic growth. At the same time, the buildings and construction sector accounts for about 34 percent of global CO2 emissions, underscoring the need for urban development models that are both affordable and resource efficient.

The collaboration is aligned with World Bank Group’s priorities to support affordable housing, climate-smart urbanization, and private-sector-led development. As cities across emerging markets continue to grow, the need for solutions that can deliver housing at scale without locking in higher emissions, higher household utility costs, and inefficient urban sprawl is becoming increasingly urgent. In this context, climate-friendly and affordable urban development is central to long-term economic resilience and social inclusion.

Dubai, UAE – A new UAE-based platform designed to simplify one of the most complex decisions in today’s automotive market – buying an electric vehicle – has officially launched.

Drive EV (https://drive-ev.ae/) uses artificial intelligence and structured decision logic to match prospective buyers with the right electric or hybrid vehicle based on their housing, lifestyle, location and driving preferences.

Drive EV is a decision platform, not a marketplace. Unlike traditional car listing sites or review portals, it focuses on understanding the buyer first, using behavioral data and guided inputs to recommend the most suitable vehicles in the UAE and connect users with the right dealers.

The platform arrives at a moment when the UAE’s EV market is growing faster than almost anywhere else in the world. The numbers reflect a market in rapid transition. EVs accounted for just 0.7 percent of total car sales in the UAE in 2021. By 2023, that figure had reached 13 percent, a pace of change that few markets anywhere in the world have matched. Full-year figures for 2025 have not yet been published, but the market surged 41 percent year-on-year in the first half of the year, with Dubai alone recording more than 40,600 registrations.

Roland Berger’s EV Charging Index 2025 ranks the GCC among the fastest-growing EV markets globally, with the UAE leading the region in volume. This momentum is largely driven by government policy, including the UAE’s goal of reaching 50% electric vehicles by 2050 and at least 10% adoption by 2030, supported by incentives such as free registration, toll exemptions, and reduced charging fees. However, rapid growth has also introduced complexity, as consumers navigate an increasingly crowded market with numerous new entrants alongside established global brands.

Drive EV addresses this gap with a data-driven approach. Its “Your Ideal Vehicle” tool guides users through eight structured questions to deliver three personalised recommendations from a comprehensive UAE model database, while an AI assistant supports broader queries, from battery technology to total cost of ownership.

Founder Ian Lewis, previously active in vehicle imports, built the platform based on first-hand market experience. He comments:

“Buying an EV in the UAE is genuinely confusing for most people. There is a lot of information out there, but very little of it is structured to help you make a confident decision. Drive EV is built to simplify that journey – guiding buyers to the right vehicle for them and connecting them with the right dealer, with far less friction.”

At launch, Drive EV also announces a partnership with EVLife (https://evlife.world), a global EV editorial platform by Reset Media Group. Reaching readers in over 170 countries, EVLife will integrate Drive EV’s recommendation tool to connect research with high-intent purchase decisions.

Together, the platforms will approach UAE dealers and manufacturers with a combined offering of editorial reach and qualified, data-driven leads. Drive EV’s lead intelligence system enhances this by capturing behavioral signals, including location, driving patterns, and model preferences.

Dominic Shales, founder of Reset Media Group and publisher of EVLife, said:

“EVLife’s role is to inform people about what is happening in the EV world. Drive EV’s role is to convert that interest into a purchase decision. Those two roles are complementary rather than competitive, and together they create a compelling proposition for both EV brands and dealers.”

The partnership will initially focus on the UAE, with plans to expand across the GCC.

Dubai, UAE, March 2026: As the UAE continues to advance its sustainability agenda under its Net Zero 2050 strategic vision and responsible tourism initiatives, hotels across the country are increasingly integrating environmental responsibility into everyday operations. In line with the global observance of Earth Hour on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM local time, Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection reinforces its year-round commitment to sustainable hospitality through internationally recognised certifications, resource-efficient operations, and meaningful guest engagement initiatives designed to reduce environmental impact while enhancing the overall guest experience.

As part of its sustainability journey, the resort has achieved the prestigious Green Key certification, one of the leading international eco-labels recognising excellence in environmental responsibility within the hospitality sector. The property has also implemented an Integrated Management System certified under ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 standards, reflecting its structured approach to quality management, environmental performance, and occupational health and safety in line with internationally recognised best practices.

Sustainability continues to be a key priority across every aspect of our operations at Al Habtoor Grand Resort,” said Khalid Saeed, General Manager of Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection. “Earth Hour serves as a meaningful reminder of the role the hospitality sector can play in supporting environmental responsibility, and we are proud to contribute through measurable initiatives, international certifications, and ongoing engagement with our guests and community.”

A key focus area for the resort is waste reduction and resource efficiency. Through the implementation of Orbisk, a food waste monitoring system, the hotel actively tracks and reduces food waste across its operations. This is complemented by robust recycling practices and a continued commitment to responsible sourcing, including a growing proportion of eco-conscious food and non-food procurement across departments.

Energy and water conservation remain central to operations at Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection. The property has implemented LED lighting upgrades, motion sensor corridor lighting, and Building Management System enhancements to optimise energy consumption across key operational areas. In parallel, automatic irrigation systems and sensor-based water fixtures contribute to more efficient water usage throughout the resort.

Beyond operational initiatives, the resort actively participates in community-focused CSR programmes including underwater beach clean-ups, Ramadan food donation initiatives, and Pinktober awareness activities, reflecting its continued dedication to supporting both environmental and social wellbeing within the community.

Through continuous innovation and responsible practices aligned with the spirit of Earth Hour, Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection remains committed to advancing sustainable hospitality while encouraging guests to be part of a more environmentally conscious future.

Dubai, UAE: Positioning desert architecture at the forefront of climate responsive design, the 2nd Desert Architecture MENA Forum returns on 30–31 March 2026 at the Habtoor Grand Resort, following the success of its inaugural edition last year. Under the theme “Integrating Heritage with Innovation: The Future of Desert Living”, the Forum will bring together global architects, policymakers, developers, sustainability leaders, and technology innovators.

As the region’s only platform dedicated to desert architecture, the Forum addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing the Middle East and arid regions worldwide: how to design cities, buildings, and communities that are resilient, climate-smart, and culturally rooted in desert environments.

The 2026 edition will expand its scope with deeper technical discussions, real-world case studies, and actionable strategies focused on climate-resilient urbanism, low-carbon materials, passive cooling systems, regenerative landscapes, and self-sufficient infrastructure. More than an event, the Forum serves as a marketplace of ideas and partnerships, providing direct access to project owners, regulators, architects, consultants, contractors, and technology providers shaping the next generation of desert cities.

Mark Powell Kyffin, Director of Architecture, Project Management and Engineering, with the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi highlighted the importance of such platforms in shaping future cities, stating: “Desert architecture is not a constraint. It is an opportunity. Rooted in heritage, culture, and innovation, the region is uniquely positioned to lead the world in climate-responsive design. Forums such as this are essential in fostering dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration that translate vision into meaningful, lasting impact.”

Commenting on the Forum’s return, Leila Masinaei, Managing Partner at Great Minds Events, said: “The Desert Architecture MENA Forum was created to move beyond theory and deliver practical, scalable solutions for building in desert climates. The second edition reflects the urgency of the moment, where climate realities demand collaboration, innovation, and a renewed respect for traditional desert wisdom combined with cutting-edge design and technology.”

The Forum aligns closely with the UAE’s broader sustainability, urban development, and cultural preservation agendas. It also reinforces the region’s growing role as a global leader in climate-responsive architecture.

Across two days, the Forum will host 35+ international speakers from leading global and regional firms including Foster + Partners, BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group, Snohetta, Killa Design, Arup, AECOM, SOM, HKS, and DLR Group, alongside senior representatives from government authorities, municipalities, and academic institutions.

Key objectives of the Forum include strengthening cross-sector collaboration, showcasing smart materials and emerging technologies, blending traditional desert knowledge with contemporary design solutions, and positioning the MENA region as a global hub for climate-responsive architecture.

The event will welcome 300+ delegates from across the region and beyond, including government authorities, project owners, developers, architectural firms, consultancies, EPCs, and senior decision-makers spanning architecture, design, sustainability, engineering, R&D, and construction.

As part of the Forum, the Desert Architecture Recognition Awards 2026 will take place on 31 March, celebrating visionaries redefining excellence in arid-climate design. The Awards will recognise achievements across sustainable materials, façade innovation, regenerative landscapes, digital design, architectural lighting, and emerging talent, concluding with an exclusive reception dinner and networking evening.

With over 20 sessions, and case studies, and participation from over 15 countries, the 2nd Desert Architecture MENA Forum promises to be a defining platform for advancing sustainable, culturally grounded, and future-ready design across desert regions.

For more information, visit https://desertarchitectureforum.com/

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates | 27 November 2025: Novo Nordisk, the global healthcare company seeking to drive change to defeat serious chronic diseases, and Connected Health, the Emirati digital health company making healthcare more personal, today announced a partnership set to transform the patient experience for the one in three people in the United Arab Emirates living with obesity or overweight. The collaboration combines Novo Nordisk’s 25-year expertise in obesity research^[1] with Connected Health’s agile technology platform to tackle one of the region’s most significant health challenges.

This partnership is designed to directly support patients by improving the critical, and often difficult, journey after they receive a prescription – a phase known for challenges with adherence and support.

Dr. Cecilia Radu, Vice President and General Manager of Novo Nordisk UAE, stated: “I’m thrilled to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Novo Nordisk UAE and Connected Health; a very important moment bringing our companies together with the main objective to serve the patients from United Arab Emirates who are affected by obesity or overweight.”

She continued: “Novo Nordisk started studying obesity 25 years ago, so we have a deep, long-term commitment to addressing this huge need. Our main objective with our semaglutide portfolio is to address the needs of the population here in the UAE. Connected Health’s business model is highly complementary with our own, allowing us to offer additional services and create new, essential ways of reaching our patients.”

Walid Bahri, Co-founder and CEO of Connected Health, described the partnership as a pivotal moment where expertise meets innovation, adding: “We are two companies focused on the same objective with different tools, and we both have the patient journey at heart. We want to optimize that journey, especially in the post-prescription phase, and it’s this combination that will create the meaningful difference. This is a gate opener for the pharma industry to begin enhancing support at the post-prescription level. We’re tremendously grateful to Novo Nordisk for supporting our vision.”

For patients, this partnership will provide tangible new benefits. Novo Nordisk UAE will leverage Connected Health’s digital platform – which includes RxNow Pharmacy, RxNow Personalized, and RxNow Technologies – to offer a new level of support. This includes practical services such as easy digital prescription fulfillment, online and teleconsultations, and reliable delivery, all designed to improve adherence and make the health journey simpler.

Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Co-founder of Connected Health, highlighted the partnership’s agile nature as the key to its potential for real-world impact.

“Healthcare is not an industry that’s quick to change; that’s why we are delighted to partner with Novo Nordisk. Despite their scale, they think like a startup, just like us. We share an agile, digital-first mindset. By connecting all the stakeholders – patients, doctors, pharma, and us – we can deliver real-world solutions that change lives and make patients’ lives simpler and more personal.”

Obesity and overweight are one of the UAE’s most significant public health challenges. Affecting one in three people, it is a critical national concern as it is a major risk factor for other chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. The collaboration between Novo Nordisk and Connected Health directly supports the UAE’s national health priorities to combat these chronic conditions and improve long-term community well-being. 

While Waymo continues to dominate the US market and is preparing for UK expansion, Chinese tech giants Baidu’s Apollo Go, WeRide and Pony AI are accelerating their rollout at scale that could soon eclipse Waymo’s presence. 

Yet, a new study by car leasing experts Nationwide Vehicle Contracts reveals a surprising twist – despite China’s AV ambitions, only two Chinese cities rank among the world’s top 10 most technologically ready places for driverless cars.

These are the cities most technologically ready for driverless cars

By analysing data metrics, including Mobile Download Speed, Mobile Upload Speed, Broadband Download Speed and Broadband Upload Speed, the new study reveals the cities around the world most technologically ready for self-driving cars.

Dubai is the city most technologically ready for self-driving cars

The UAE city of Dubai received a score of 78.51 for mobile and broadband upload and download speeds. The city is known for its technological advancements and is expected to welcome its first version of operational AVs by the first quarter of 2026.

Stockholm, Sweden, also stands well prepared for the arrival of AVs with a score of 72.42. The Swedish authorities decided to decline Tesla’s request to test robotaxis in June 2025, and currently have no further plans to introduce them. But when they are ready, the city will be more than capable of fuelling their real-time connectivity. 

Bangkok, Thailand, claimed third place (72.29) for its technological connections. The Thai city is known globally for its manic roads, but this city could be the perfect place to launch AVs thanks to strong wireless access.

Two companies have already done so, Waymo and Baidu Apollo. Two more are also looking to begin trial, Cruise and AutoX, highlighting that many are taking advantage of the city’s need for accessibility and great connections.

THIS Chinese city’s connectivity issues could impact the 2035 goals

Guangzhou is known as a leader in autonomous vehicle services in China and operates both WeRide taxis and shuttle services.

However, Guangzhou, China’s most populous city with over 37 million people, didn’t make the top 10 ranking of technologically ready cities. Pony.ai, which runs robotaxis in Guangzhou, is facing major connectivity problems because it lacks high-definition maps and enough data, both of which are essential for safe and efficient autonomous driving. 

In May this year, one of its robotaxis even caught fire due to a malfunction. No one was injured, but the incident has raised concerns about Guangzhou’s technological readiness.

Keith Hawes, Director at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, explains: “China’s announcement is aspirational and admirable to become the leaders of the autonomous vehicle industry by 2035 through both manufacturing and availability.

However, with large cities such as Guangzhou currently facing connectivity gaps, the ambitious goals need to be approached with safety and regulation at the heart, to minimise safety mishaps and earn the trust of consumers.

Our recent study shows that although some Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, are more technologically ready to fuel the usage of driverless cars, other cities still have a way to go from a technological standpoint before China’s AV goals are met”.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 26 September 2025 – Reinforcing its commitment to building a sustainable social care ecosystem, the Family Care Authority (FCA) concluded its participation in the second edition of the Social Care Forum, organised by the Department of Community Development (DCD) from 24 to 25 September at the Hilton Abu Dhabi – Yas Island.

Held under the theme “Future Ready Social Care: People, Practice, and Policy,” the forum served as a strategic platform for the Family Care Authority to call for integrated, family-centered policies as the foundation for sustainable and resilient social care systems. The event saw participation from FCA’s esteemed leadership and key specialists, including H.E. Salama Ajlan Al Ameemi, Director General, H.E. Asma Sulaiman Al Azri, Executive Director of the Family Cases Sector, Dr. Fadwa Al Mughairbi, Advisor to the Director General’s Office, Salma Al Mansoori, Case Manager and Sara Alahbabi, Assistant Case Manager.

Speaking at a high-level panel on “Global Development in Social Care Policies,” H.E. Salama Al Ameemi shed light on Abu Dhabi’s model for family care and how governments can strengthen resilience by putting families at the heart of policy design.

“The second edition of the Social Care Forum comes at an important moment, as the UAE marks the UAE’s Year of Community 2025. It is an important opportunity to align our collective vision and build effective partnerships that shape a more inclusive and sustainable future for social care in Abu Dhabi. At the Family Care Authority, we believe that families must be at the centre of every policy decision. By working closely with our partners, led by the Department of Community Development, we are shaping a cohesive and resilient society—one that can turn today’s challenges into opportunities through thoughtful, forward-looking policies,” said H.E. Salama.

Meanwhile, in a session titled “Wellbeing for those Who Care” H.E. Asma Al Azri underlined that safeguarding the well-being of social care professionals is essential to maintaining their effectiveness and fulfilling the noble mission of their work. Al Azri explained that the Authority prioritises the well-being of care providers through mental health programmes, professional support, and continuous training, initiatives that directly enhance the quality of services provided to families and individuals.

She elaborated: “The well-being of care providers directly translates into the quality of social services. By investing in their support and empowerment, we build a more human-centred and efficient system capable of meeting growing needs and achieving long-term sustainability in the social care sector.”

 FCA remains committed to building stronger and resilient families and communities, ensuring that every initiative, programme, and policy contributes to the well-being, cohesion, and long-term sustainability of Abu Dhabi’s social fabric.