Saudi Arabia, UK to expand defense ties

London, April 5: Defense Minister Prince Salman, who is on a multiday official visit to the UK, held talks with British counterpart Philip Hammond at the Defense Ministry headquarters in London and discussed prospects of expanding bilateral cooperation.

The talks were attended by Saudi Ambassador to the UK Prince Muhammad bin Nawaf, State Minister Musaed Al-Aiban, Air Force Commander Gen. Muhammad Al-Ayesh and other senior officials.

Hammond hosted a dinner banquet in honor of Prince Salman.

Prince Salman, who arrived in London Tuesday at the start of his visit, highlighted the historic relations between Saudi Arabia and Britain.

“I am happy to meet Prime Minister David Cameron and top British officials during this visit,” the Saudi minister said.

Prince Salman said Saudi-British relations reached new heights following the visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to London in 2007. It was followed by a high-level exchange of visits between the two countries, he added.

He said his current visit was aimed at strengthening Saudi-British relations and bolstering peace and stability in the region.

He thanked Hammond for extending an invitation to him to visit the UK.

Prince Salman, meanwhile, held talks with British Foreign Secretary William Hague yesterday on the latest regional and international developments, Saudi Press Agency said.

They reviewed Saudi-British relations and explored ways to strengthen them.

Prince Salman also met with Permanent Defense Undersecretary Ursula Brennan.

He later visited the Saudi Embassy in London where he was welcomed by Prince Muhammad and top embassy officials.

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UAE announces new 10-year Blue Residency Visa. Details here

News Network

May 17,2024

The United Arab Emirates has announced a 10-year Blue residency visa for individuals who have made exceptional efforts and contributions to protecting the environment.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who chaired the Cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi formally approved this.

He said the move comes in line with implementing the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who had announced 2024 as the Year of Sustainability.

The Blue visa will be granted to individuals championing sustainability and the use of modern technologies in promoting the circular economy, and other relevant fields.

Sheikh Mohammed said the sustainability of our economy has become linked to the sustainability of our environment, and our national directions in this area are clear and consistent.

He also approved the National Youth Agenda, among several initiatives, instructing the Minister of Youth to prioritise five key areas: empowering youth economically, developing their scientific skills, reinforcing their national identity, enhancing their community contributions, and activating their role in representing their country on the international stage.

CEO of Artificial Intelligence

The Cabinet has approved the introduction of the post of CEO of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in all major federal entities, in line with the UAE's strategy to strengthen its position in AI.

“Today, we approved the introduction of the CEO of Artificial Intelligence role in all major federal entities, as part of the UAE’s strategy to solidify its position in the field of artificial intelligence,” the Vice President said.

The initiative aims to facilitate the integration of AI tools within these institutions, further advancing the transition toward a new era driven by cutting-edge technologies across federal entities.

University rankings

The Cabinet also endorsed a new framework for categorising higher education institutions across the nation. The forthcoming national rankings will assess over 70 higher education establishments based on the quality of their education, the employability of their graduates, the strength of their scientific research, and their collaborations with international scientific institutions.

The unveiling of these university rankings marks a significant stride in elevating the calibre of our higher education system and fostering transparency. It empowers families to make informed decisions, selecting the most suitable and exemplary educational pathways for their children,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

“During the meeting, we were updated on recent advancements in our national space sector, with our national cadres now comprising 38 per cent of personnel engaged in global space projects. Additionally, expenditure on space research has seen a 14 per cent increase."

"Our commitment remains steadfast in guiding our youth towards promising and pioneering sectors while safeguarding our environment and adopting leading international technologies within our government. Concurrently, we are dedicated to enhancing our higher education systems, ensuring a brighter future for our youth,” Sheikh Mohammed added.

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