Addressing fragility in cities is, therefore, not only a social imperative; it is also a crucial economic consideration. It is the precondition for investment and growth. There is also a collective-security dividend. Fragile cities can turn a regional shock into a prolonged crisis, driving poverty, displacement, disrupting markets and fuelling...
Exclusive: Green investments lead to tangible returns, says WEF’s Philips
Public-private partnerships are essential for advancing sustainable urban development and meeting net-zero targets, Vivian Brady Phillips, Head of Strategic Initiatives, Urban Transformation at the WEF tells TRENDS in an exclusive interview.
Young Iraqis seek desert retreats for a change from the hustle of big cities
SAMAWAH, IRAQ – Far from the hustle and bustle of major cities, young Iraqis are increasingly taking advantage of a renewed sense of safety to explore the country's serene desert getaways. Sheltering amidst the golden dunes, Ghadanfar Abdallah and his friends gather around a flickering campfire in the Samawah desert south...
Saudi Arabia’s Madinah, KAEC, Al-Ahsa join UNESCO global network of learning cities
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has announced that the cities of Madinah, King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), and Al-Ahsa in the Kingdom have joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities. With this development, Saudi Arabia now boasts five cities enlisted in the...
Bahrain to host ‘smart cities summit 2024’ in March
Manama, Bahrain--Bahrain will hold the seventh edition of the "Bahrain Smart Cities Summit 2024" from March 5 to 6 under the theme"achieving progress through artificial intelligence", Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, the Minister of Municipalities and Agriculture announced. Al Mubarak affirmed the kingdom's keenness to adopt the best technologies and...
Turkey commemorates last year’s deadly earthquake
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - Turkey on Tuesday holds pre-dawn vigils for the loss of more than 50,000 people -- and parts of entire cities -- in the earthquake-prone country's deadliest disaster of modern times. Grieving Turks are still coming to terms with how a 7.8-magnitude tremor could upturn the lives of millions...
Israelis raid Al-Aqsa, homes of Palestinians in Ramallah
RAMALLAH, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES / JERUSALEM – Israeli forces carried out Sunday a series of raids in several towns in the West Bank early on Sunday. The forces raided the homes of Palestinian citizens in several towns in Ramallah Governorate and Al-Bireh and carried out extensive arrests, the Palestinian News Agency...
Shanghai to build 200 smart factories to shore up its manufacturing status
Shanghai, China--Shanghai plans to build 200 new smart factories and 20 demonstration sites by end of 2025 after 70 intelligent plants in 2023, officials announced, solidifying its intelligent manufacturing stronghold, according to China Daily report. Covering auto, equipment and IT, this year's batch features life-cycle, process and supply chain enhancements....
PIF sets up agri and ecotourism firm Dan Company
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced on Monday the establishment of Dan Company, specializing in agritourism and ecotourism, according to a PIF press release. The company plans to develop unique tourism projects around cities across Saudi Arabia with attractive natural and farmed landscapes, the release said....Saudi Arabia launches bus transport project linking 200 cities
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Kingdom’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser here launched a significant mega bus transport services project aimed at linking 200 cities and provinces. The project will have a capacity to accommodate six million passengers annually. The project operates through three...RAKEZ entices Indian investors with ‘lucrative’ business prospects
Ras Al Khaimah, UAE-- Looking to boost economic cooperation and convince businesses across India to invest in the free zone, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) toured various cities in the country, offering an overview of the potential of expanding their operation in the Middle East through Ras Al Khaimah....
Saudi economy pins hope on female entrepreneurs
Saudi women, who had begun with small projects, are now creating startups and setting up factories, highlighting drastic change in business environment in the Kingdom.
UAE Railways Program: Country’s largest integrated transportation system launched
The UAE government on Sunday announced the launch of the UAE Railways Programme, the largest integrated system for transporting goods and passengers across the country. The program was announced in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed...
Dubai 11th popular city for investment visa programs, second for Covid safety
Henley & Partners’ Best Residence-by-Investment Cities for Business Index ranks cities according to lifestyle, tax, education, real estate, healthcare, security, infrastructure, etc.
Climate change could turn Gulf cities unlivable
A new report by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change showed unequivocally that the climate is changing faster than previously feared. Experts warn that with higher temperatures and humidity towards the end of this century, parts of the Gulf will experience periods of "heat stress conditions that will be...
Beirut costliest Middle Eastern city for expats, while cost of living eases in Dubai, Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi and Dubai fell 17 and 19 places respectively on Mercer Cost of Living Survey this year Riyadh remained most expensive Gulf city even as the cost of living fell in most part of the region this year While Beirut remained the third most expensive cities in the world...
Beirut most expensive city for expats Middle East: Mercer
Cost of living fell in most Gulf cities in 2021; Riyadh most expensive Gulf city Abu Dhabi and Dubai fell 17 and 19 places respectively on Mercer Cost of Living Survey this year Beirut was the most expensive city in the Middle East and third most expensive...
UNESCO, World Bank partner to enable cultural, creative activities in cities
The creative economy is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the world economy Cultural, creative industries contribute annual global revenues of $2,250 billion UNESCO and the World Bank have for the first time launched a joint initiative to enable the cultural and creative industries in cities as part of their...
