UAE whitepaper examines the benefits and impact of remote working in wake of COVID-19 pandemic
Culture & Society
1 Billion Followers
1 Billion Followers in Dubai: Content creators and social media experts gather for digital summit; $1m influencer prize, 420 speakers and industry support
The 1 Billion Followers summit in Dubai will gather leading social media influencers for industry debate and prize-giving
Bayt.com
MENA jobs: Men more likely than women to switch roles, despite higher chance of bonuses and salary satisfaction
MENA salary survey identifies job trends and expectations for workers in the region
Eid Al Adha
UAE holidays 2025: How to get 46 days off with just 17 of annual leave
Book holidays strategically in the UAE and you could double your annual leave allowance
National Center of Meteorology (NCM)
UAE weather authorities head to South Pole
UAE scientists head to the South Pole to study meteorology and climate science
GCC
GCC population up to 57.6m as trade hits $1.482tn
The GCC is growing in population size and also as an economic force
Oman
Oman announces holiday for public and private sector; 3-day weekend confirmed
Oman announces public holiday to mark Sultan’s Accession Day 2025
Al Mamzar Beach Development Project
Dubai awards $108mn contracts for second phase of Al Mamzar Beach Development Project
Dubai’s Al Mamzar Beach development project spans 125,000 square metres with an 80-metre width across Al Mamzar Corniche Beach
Dubai
Dubai launches ‘Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Programme’ to support Emirati family development
The programme, which aligns with Dubai Social Agenda 33, aims to double Emirati families in Dubai by 2033
Civil Defence Authority
UAE announces new Civil Defence Authority with federal decree-law
The UAE Civil Defence Authority will develop policies and strategies, implement alert systems, and coordinate between federal and local entities
Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
UAE issues new guide to phase out single-use plastics in 2024
The UAE guide provides directions for manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers on transitioning from single-use plastics to sustainable alternatives
FDI
UAE reviews major 2024 achievements: Foreign trade tops $762.3bn, 150m airport passengers, 80% of laws updated, FDI over $35bn
UAE Cabinet reflects ‘most remarkable economic and developmental year in the nation’s history’
Bulgaria
EU adds 2 new countries to Schengen Area
Romania and Bulgaria added to list of Schengen Area countries
businesswomen
Tally Solutions celebrates UAE women entrepreneurs with ‘All for Her’ initiative
It also announced a complimentary three-month subscription to its advanced business management software, TallyPrime, for women entrepreneurs in the UAE
fireworks
Ras Al Khaimah rings in 2025 with record-breaking New Year’s Eve drones, fireworks display
Dubbed “Our Story in the Sky”, the show celebrated Ras Al Khaimah’s natural and cultural heritage
Emirates Astronomical Society
Emirates Astronomical Society unveils 16 major lunar events for 2025
Key events include the conjunction of the Moon with Venus and Saturn on January 3, followed by the occultation of Saturn by the Moon on January 4, both visible after sunset
GaStat
Saudi non-profit sector rises to $14.5bn
Saudi non-profit sector witnessed growth of 33 per cent last year