Category: Leaders, on the World Stage – All Others

International Conservation Organization (IUCN) Elects Emirati Woman Razan Al-Mubarak as President : September 2021

Razan Al-Mubarak. Founding Managing Director, Mohamed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund. Head of Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD). Managing Director, Emirates Nature (NGO).

 The International Union for Conservation of Nature has named an Emirati woman as its new president at its World Conservation Congress in Marseille.

Al-Mubarak is the founding managing director of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, which under her leadership has supported more than 2,000 species conservation projects in more thsn 160 countries. 


She is also the head of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the managing director at Emirates Nature, an NGO affiliated with the World Wildlife Fund.


Members elect the chairs of IUCN’s commissions, which bring together 18,000 volunteer experts from around the world in a range of disciplines from species conservation to environmental law and protected area management.


IUCN is a union that brings together some of the world’s most influential organizations and experts to conserve nature and accelerate the transition to sustainable development.

source/content: arabnews.com

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The International Union for Conservation of Nature has named Razan Al-Mubarak as its new president. (IUCN) / pix: arabnews.com

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, MWL Secretary-General, Awarded ‘Hijra of the Prophet Award’ by Malaysia: August 2021

Malaysia has granted Muslim World League (MWL) Secretary-General and Chairman of the Association of Muslim Scholars Dr. Mohammed Abdulkarim Al-Issa, the ‘Hijra of the Prophet award’ — the most prestigious award granted to Muslim scholars in the world.

Al-Issa was honored for his efforts during a ceremony held by the Malaysian government to celebrate the new Islamic year.

The ceremony was held in the presence of Malaysia’s King Al-Sultan Abdullah, Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, government members and representatives of Islamic and non-Islamic states in the country.

source/content: arabnews.com

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pix: arabnews.com

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SAUDI ARABIA

World’s Largest Hampton by Hilton, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE : July 2021

Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Ali Construction & Development (AACD)has marked the handing over of the $81.6m (AED300m), 39,625m2 Hampton by Hilton Hotel at the Al Marjan Island.

With the handover milestone, the project has become the largest Hampton by Hilton in the world to date.

The 515-keys beach hotel has been engineered by JT+Partners, with International Engineering Center as the supervision consultant, and developed by Mohamed Ruqait Properties (MR Properties). 

The tower level comprises 515 rooms and suites, while the wide rooftop consists three chiller zones and two fire exits. The hotel will also feature 450m of a private white sand beach, a 1,000m2 pool, other recreational facilities and an observation deck. 

source/content : constructionweekonline.com

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AACD marks handover of world’s largest Hampton by Hilton / pix: constructionweekonline.com

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RAS AL KHAIMAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan named ‘Man of Humanity’ by Vatican’s Foundation Gravissimum Educationis : July 06th, 2021

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, was named as the “Man of Humanity” by the Vatican’s Foundation Gravissimum Educationis .

Mohamed bin Zayed’s naming as ‘Man of Humanity’ underscores international community’s recognition of his humanitarian role: UAE Fatwa Council.

An outcome of his leading efforts to promote the values of compassion, giving and peace globally.

The UAE Fatwa Council pointed out that His Highness Sheikh Mohamed’s achievements in supporting needy people and rescuing those affected by crises and disasters without discrimination around the world highlights his belief in the tolerant spirit of Islam, which calls for tolerance and noble values, reflecting the Prophet Muhammad’s saying, “There is a reward for everyone with a moist liver.”

To date, the UAE has provided aid to medical staff and front line workers in more than 135 countries to curb the spread of COVID-19.

In March, Sheikh Mohamed was awarded ‘The 2021 DIHAD International Personality Award for Humanitarian Relief ‘ as a gesture of international gratitude for His Highness’s continuous support and dedicated efforts in reinforcing humanitarian work.

source: wam.ae

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The Award was received by Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of State, on behalf of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, from Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, President of Pontifical Foundation Gravissimum Educationis and Ministry of Education Vatican, during a ceremony held on July 06th, 2021 at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of the ambassadors accredited to the UAE. /pix: wam.ae

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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E.)

Saudi Arabia Elected – Titular Member of ILO body : June 14th, 2021

 Saudi Arabia has been elected as a titular member of the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) governing body until 2024.


Elections for the membership were held on Monday June 14th, 2021 as part of the 109th session of the International Labour Conference.


Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi said the Kingdom’s election to the ILO’s governing body is an outcome of the Saudi leadership’s continuous support to the labor market and workers in the Kingdom.

source/content: arabnews.com

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Ahmed Al-Rajhi. (SPA) / pix: arabnews.com

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SAUDI ARABIA

UAE Elected to UN Security Council : June 11th, 2021

United Arab Emirates elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2022-2023.

The UAE is one of five countries elected to sit as non-permanent members on the Security Council in 2022 and 2023.

The others are Brazil, Albania, Gabon and Ghana, and the new arrivals could potentially shift the power balance within the world body, diplomats predicted.

“The UAE has always been ready to assume its share of the responsibility to confront urgent global challenges, in cooperation with the international community, and this was the primary motivation for our campaign for Security Council membership,” said Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the UAE’s minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation.

Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, the UAE’s permanent representative to the UN, said her country’s role on the Security Council “stems from our belief that our values and principles can help advance progress toward our common goal of international peace and security.”

The UAE joined the UN in 1971, the year the country was founded. The only time it has previously held a seat on the Security Council was in 1986-1987.

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This United Nations handout photo shows a view of the Security Council meeting at the UN in New York. (AFP file photo) / arabnews.com

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E.)

Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah : Leading International ReConstructive Surgeon, London

Professor Ghassan Abu-Sittah, MBchB, FRCS (Plast)

Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sitra is a multi-award-winning Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, with a worldwide reputation as one of the world’s leading specialists in Craniofacial surgery (facial deformities), aesthetic surgery, cleft lip and palate surgery and trauma related injuries.

He completed his medical education at the University of Glasgow and went on to do his postgraduate residency training in London.

After completing his Specialist Registrar training in London he was awarded a Fellowship in Paediatric Craniofacial Surgery and a Fellowship in Cleft Surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Kids and a further fellowship in Trauma Reconstruction at the Royal London Hospital. 

In 2010 he was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (Plastic Surgery).  

In 2011 he took on the role of Associate Professor and Head of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Aesthetic Surgery at the Middle East’s leading medical facility, the prestigious American University of Beirut Medical Center. In 2015 he became a founding director of the Conflict Medicine Program –The Global Health Institute at the American University of Beirut.

Publications:

Several and Profusely, on all aspects of facial surgery and the treatment of conflict related injuries.

www.drghassanabusittah.com

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pix: American University of Beirut

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BRITISH / BRITISH-PALESTINAN

Joe Neguse – First Eritrean-American Elected to US Congress : January 2021

Joseph D Neguse (aka) Joe Neguse . American Politician. Leader. U.S. Representative for Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District since 2019.

Neguse is an attorney, co-founder of a voter registration group and a former regent of the University of Colorado.

Firsts:

  • First Eritrean-American elected to U.S. Congress
  • Colorado’s First Black member of Congress
  • First African-American to represent Colorado in Congress

Education:

  • Bachelors Degree – Political Science and Economics, University of Colorada (2005)
  • Juris Doctor – University of Colorado Law School (2009)

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pix: en.wikipedia.org

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AMERICAN / ERITREAN-AMERICAN

Dr. Farouk El Baz – Egyptian American Space Scientist and Geologist

Farouk El Baz Ph.D., Space Scientist. Geologist

  • Formerly – President Sadat’s Scientific Advisor (1978-1981)
  • Founder – Center for Earth and Planetary Studies, National Museum of Atmospheric and Space, at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC
  • Dr. El Baz played a pivotal role for the Apollo mission where he served as the secretary for the Apollo landing board on the moon, and was responsible for leading the astronaut training team in general science, particularly in moon imaging

So pivotal was he to Apollo that in Tom Hanks’ HBO TV-series, From the Earth to the Moon , El-Baz’s role as an Apollo scientist and astronaut trainer was featured in a segment entitled, “The Brain of Farouk El-Baz,” and a shuttle craft named El-Baz soared through the popular TV-series Star Trek : The Next Generation

Awards:

  •  He has won over 31 awards, including achievements in science, in NASA, incl:
  •  Golden Door Award of the International Institute of Boston
  • Nevada Medal of the Desert Research Institute
  • The Pioneer Award of the Arab Thought Foundation.
  • The Apollo Achievement Award

Honour:

  • Asteroid 7371 El-Baz, discovered by American astronomers Eleanor Helin and Schelte Bus at Palomar Observatory in 1978, was named in his honor.   The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 27 August 2019 ( M.P.C. 115893).

Book:

  • Deserts and Arid Lands , Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, ISBN 90-247-2850-9

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pix: scoopempire.com /egypttoday.com

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AMERICAN / EGYPTIAN-AMERICAN / ARAB AMERICAN

Lebanon’s Ray Bassil – World Class Medal Winning, Trap Shooter

Ray Bassil (aka) Ray Jacques Bassil.

Won her first title at age 15, Female Arab Championship, Algiers.

  •  First and only woman ever to represent the Arab countries in Trap Shooting at the Olympic Games in Rio 2016
  • First Arab Woman to compete in 2 Olympics games and win 3 consecutive world cup medals
  • Twice represented Lebanon at Olympic games (2012, 2016)

Other Honours:

  • UNDP – Youth and Gender Goodwill Ambassador

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pix: fondationsaradar.org

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LEBANON