The Arabic edition of The Letters is selling for Dh89 at Dubai bookstores, while readers who followed Lessons from Life in English await the October 15 release
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DUBAI, 4th October, 2026 (WAM) -- Dubai Municipality has joined the Digital Twin Consortium (DTC), expanding its engagement with an international community of government entities, organisations, companies and experts working to advance digital twin technologies, standards and applications.The membership will enable Dubai Municipality to participate in specialised working groups and initiatives, exchange expertise with international organisations and explore emerging technologies and applications in the digital twin field. It will also provide opportunities to contribute to discussions shaping the continued development of digital twin standards and future use cases.Through the Consortium, Dubai Municipality will strengthen international knowledge exchange around the application of digital twin technologies and geospatial data across areas including urban planning, infrastructure and asset management. This supports the Municipality's wider efforts to enhance city management through advanced data and technology and strengthen Dubai's future readiness.Eng. Maryam Al Muhairi, CEO of the Building Regulation and Permits Agency at Dubai Municipality, said: "Dubai Municipality's membership in the Digital Twin Consortium builds on the GIS Centre's work to develop an integrated ecosystem for geospatial data and advanced technologies and expand their application across planning, decision-making and sustainable urban development."Engagement with leading international organisations gives us access to emerging knowledge, practical experience and new applications in digital twins, geospatial data, artificial intelligence and predictive analytics. This will support the continued development of a smarter and more sustainable urban model and strengthen Dubai's readiness for future technological transformation."Dubai Municipality, represented by its GIS Centre Department, also participated in the Digital Twin Consortium's third-quarter members meeting, hosted by the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom.The meeting provided a platform to exchange expertise with organisations and institutions specialising in digital twin technologies and examine developments in their application across cities, infrastructure and the built environment.Eng. Maitha Al Nuaimi, Director of the GIS Centre Department at Dubai Municipality, said: "Participation in the Digital Twin Consortium gives Dubai Municipality an important channel for exchanging knowledge with specialised international organisations and examining how digital twin technologies are evolving in different markets and applications."Our focus is on translating relevant global expertise into practical value for Dubai, strengthening the use of geospatial data in infrastructure development and enabling more informed decision-making across government entities and activities. This supports the continued development of solutions that enhance the city's operational efficiency and future readiness."During the meeting, the GIS Centre delegation presented Dubai's experience in using digital twin technologies to transform geospatial data into a digital representation of the city's physical environment, supporting planning, analysis and decision-making.Participants from 10 countries presented their experiences, technologies and applications, providing an opportunity to compare approaches and explore emerging international practices in the field.Dubai Municipality showcased its 3D modelling of more than 195,000 buildings, as well as the technical integration between its digital twin platform and the No Objection Certificate (NOC) system, developed in collaboration with utility entities across the emirate.The integration demonstrates how geospatial and digital twin technologies can connect city data and operational systems to support infrastructure coordination, simulate real-world conditions and strengthen urban planning and service delivery.Dubai Municipality's membership in the Digital Twin Consortium forms part of its wider efforts to expand international collaboration in geospatial technologies and strengthen the application of advanced digital solutions in managing Dubai's continued urban development.
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DUBAI, 4th October, 2026 (WAM) -- The Endowment and Minors' Trust Foundation in Dubai (Awqaf Dubai), in collaboration with the Emirates Association for Care and Welfare of Parents in Ras Al Khaimah, has launched the "Heritage Village" project.Funded through the Al Sayah Endowment Fund, the project is specifically designed to serve more than 150 senior citizens by providing a comprehensive, community-focused hub that enhances their quality of life and preserves national identity. The project provides a comfortable, integrated environment inspired by traditional Emirati heritage, featuring 14 heritage shops showcasing local culture and crafts, a specialized space built to host cultural, community, and entertainment events and a space blending social, health, and sports dimensions to encourage senior citizens to remain active and connected.Ali Mohammed Al Mutawa, Secretary-General of Awqaf Dubai, said the project represents a practical model of how endowment yields can be channeled into sustainable community programmes. The village aims to strengthen social bonds among older adults, offer them continuous avenues for participation in public life, and bridge the cultural gap for current and future generations.
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ABU DHABI, 4th October, 2026 (WAM) - UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Her Excellency Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of the Italian Republic, discussed bilateral relations and opportunities to expand cooperation, particularly in the economic and development fields, during a phone call today.The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation under the strategic partnership between the two countries in support of shared growth and prosperity.His Highness and the Italian Prime Minister also reviewed a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest, particularly developments in the Middle East and ongoing efforts to promote security and stability for the benefit of the region's countries and peoples.
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ABU DHABI, 4th October, 2026 (WAM) -- Five UAE humanitarian aid convoys comprising 55 trucks and carrying 617 tonnes of humanitarian aid entered the Gaza Strip this week under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, as part of the UAE's continued efforts to support the Palestinian people and meet their basic needs.The convoys carried food and shelter supplies, contributing to the humanitarian response and helping alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.The latest convoys bring the total number of trucks that have entered the Gaza Strip under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 since its launch to 14,442, carrying a total of 136,891 tonnes of humanitarian aid.The Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 team continues to prepare aid convoys at the UAE Humanitarian Aid Logistics Centre in the Egyptian city of Al Arish, where aid is received, sorted and prepared before being transported to the Gaza Strip, ensuring the continued flow of humanitarian supplies to those in need.
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In his new book, The Letters, Dubai's leader shares seven rules for building a stronger community, rooted in responsibility, respect and humanity.
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HAIKOU, China, 4th October, 2026 (WAM) -- The date palm harvest season has concluded in Wenchang City in south China's island province of Hainan, Yuanjiang County in Yunnan Province and Panzhihua City in Sichuan Province, marking the first time UAE date palms have borne fruit in notable quantities in China's inland regions after first producing fruit in Wenchang in 2025.According to a report by Xinhua News Agency, date palm varieties from the UAE are gradually spreading across areas of China suitable for their cultivation. Eight date palm varieties produced fruit again at the Wenchang base, while 52 palms at the Yuanjiang base and 125 palms at the Panzhihua base bore fruit for the first time.In 2019, the UAE announced the donation of 100,000 date palm seedlings to support the development of date palm cultivation in China. The UAE delivered the first batch of 1,500 seedlings to China in 2021, achieving a survival rate of around 93 percent. This was followed by a second batch of 23,500 date palm seedlings as part of efforts to strengthen agricultural cooperation and exchange scientific and technical expertise, supporting food security and economic development in both countries and contributing to the diversification of agricultural crops in China.The Xinhua report said UAE date palms have gradually spread from Wenchang to other parts of Hainan, while cultivation trials have expanded to inland areas with suitable climatic conditions, including dry-hot valleys in Chinese provinces such as Yunnan and Sichuan.In Yuanjiang County, Yunnan Province, a two-hectare experimental date palm cultivation base was established in October 2024 and planted with nine varieties of date palm seedlings donated by the UAE. This year, 52 palms from eight varieties bore fruit for the first time, providing new experience in cultivating date palms in China's dry-hot valleys.In Panzhihua City, Sichuan Province, a China-UAE experimental date palm cultivation base was established in June 2025. The base has 942 palms from nine varieties across an area of more than four hectares. In July, 125 palms bore fruit just one year after being planted.
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DUBAI, 3rd October, 2026 (WAM) -- H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, visited flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar.His Highness said: "The flydubai pilot demonstrated the highest levels of courage, responsibility and care for human life. From us, and from the leadership of the nation, he has our full appreciation and praise."His Highness added: "We are proud that he is part of our team, part of the story of our nation, and part of what the UAE stands for - a nation of compassion, a nation of peace, and a nation of life.''
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AJMAN, 3rd October, 2026 (WAM) -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Ajman Chamber, and the Ajman Department of Finance have activated the Unified Attestation Package, streamlining the issuance and attestation of documents issued by Ajman Chamber through an integrated process.The initiative streamlines the customer journey, eliminates unnecessary procedures, and advances the objectives of the Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme.The package was launched at the Thara Centre for Entrepreneurship in the presence of Sheikha Hissa bint Sultan Al Nahyan, Assistant Undersecretary for Consular Affairs at MoFA; Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Nuaimi, Vice Chairman of Ajman Chamber; Salem Al Suwaidi, Director-General of Ajman Chamber; and Marwan Ahmed Al Ali, Director-General of the Ajman Department of Finance. Also in attendance were members of Ajman Chamber's Board of Directors and officials from the Ministry of Finance, the Department of Digital Ajman, and chambers of commerce and industry across the UAE.In her remarks, Sheikha Hissa bint Sultan Al Nahyan affirmed that greater integration between federal and local entities translates directly into more efficient and seamless government services. She noted that integrating services through digital platforms reduces time and effort for customers while enabling government entities to deliver services that are more responsive to their needs.She added that the initiative reflects the UAE Government's commitment to people-centric service design and supports the objectives of "We the UAE 2031" by enhancing government efficiency and advancing the UAE's global leadership in government service delivery.Sheikha Hissa further noted that, under the leadership of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, MoFA continues to strengthen government partnerships and harness digital solutions to build a more agile and proactive service ecosystem.She emphasised that eliminating bureaucracy requires a clear understanding of customer needs, informed by feedback from both service users and frontline teams. These insights enable the redesign of procedures and development of integrated services that deliver measurable improvements in the customer experience.For his part, Salem Al Suwaidi said, "The Unified Attestation Package provides a practical model of government integration and operational efficiency. It represents a significant step in the UAE's efforts to simplify procedures, enhance the customer experience, and embed the principles of zero government bureaucracy."He commended the partnership and institutional integration between federal and local entities, affirming that this achievement resulted from the combined efforts of MoFA, Ajman Chamber, and the Ajman Department of Finance to design an exceptional customer experience that streamlines procedures, reduces requirements, and saves time and effort for the business community and customers.He added, "The activation of this package marks a further step toward an integrated, highly efficient government ecosystem that supports Ajman Vision 2030 and aligns with the objectives of 'We the UAE 2031.' By harnessing advanced digital infrastructure, we are delivering proactive, seamless government services that place people and the business community at the heart of our priorities."Salem Al Suwaidi emphasised that Ajman Chamber believes the philosophy of eliminating bureaucracy begins with leadership listening to customers and the ideas of its teams. It is realised through aligning partners' visions and coordinating their efforts to redesign procedures and develop services to the highest standards.Marwan Ahmed Al Ali, Director-General of the Ajman Department of Finance, affirmed that the activation of the Unified Attestation Package represents a significant step toward strengthening government integration and using data and digital solutions to deliver faster, more seamless, and more efficient services, in line with the UAE's efforts to eliminate bureaucracy and enhance the quality of government services.He said, "This initiative reflects a practical approach to designing a customer-centred journey and simplifying procedures through integration and data exchange that meet the highest standards of efficiency and security. It saves time and effort, makes services easier to access, and creates a more connected government experience that responds to customers' needs."He added that, through its role in electronic integration and payment systems, the Department continues to provide integrated digital financial solutions that enhance the efficiency of collection and settlement processes. These efforts contribute to a connected, agile, and sustainable government services ecosystem that uses modern technologies to improve efficiency and performance.During the gathering, Mohammed Al Janahi, Executive Director of the Member Support Services Sector at Ajman Chamber, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the procedures for issuing and attesting documents issued by the Chamber. He outlined the customer journey before and after the activation of the Unified Attestation Package, highlighting the reduction in procedures and greater integration between the entities involved.He explained, "Previously, the transaction involved six procedures and 15 steps. Today, it follows a unified digital process comprising just three procedures and three steps, completed through a single window in a matter of minutes."The gathering also included the exchange of agreements between Ajman Chamber, MoFA, and the Ajman Department of Finance, along with commemorative photographs featuring representatives of the entities involved in delivering the Unified Attestation Package and the team behind it.
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Transport specialists say the railway's long-term impact will depend on making journeys beyond the station easy, with connections that bring residents closer to jobs and services.
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Dubai schools can request changes to their daily timings to help ease the traffic rush, but any adjustment must be approved by KHDA and take student wellbeing into account.
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The appointments follow the passing of former Al Wasl president Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who died on September 21 at the age of 76.
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ABU DHABI, 2nd October, 2026 (WAM) -- UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today received US Senator Joni Ernst.The meeting discussed strategic cooperation between the UAE and the United States and their shared commitment to further strengthening ties for the benefit of both nations.The talks also covered regional security and stability, and efforts to promote peace in the Middle East and beyond.The meeting was attended by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor to the UAE President, and a number of officials.
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