Ranked first in Research and Innovation in the UAE Dubai, UAE, 14 April 2023, Dubai Municipality has won three local and international accolades in the first quarter of 2023. The Municipality received the British Safety Council award and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) award for its excellence in the category of occupational health and safety. In addition, it ranked first in the Research and Innovation Award by the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. The renowned awards in the area of health, safety, and innovation, achieved by the Municipality reflect its commitment to adopting the highest technical and professional standards to guarantee health and safety of all members and workers in various facilities and projects across the Emirate of Dubai. Furthermore, these recognitions highlight the Municipality’s continuous efforts to ensure healthy and safe working conditions with high quality, which will improve the quality of life and solidify Dubai’s status as a pioneer city, as well as aid in setting a global benchmark for innovation and excellence in municipal services. British Safety Council Award Dubai Municipality was honoured in the Global Safety category in the field of occupational health and safety, for its commitment towards managing occupational health and safety ecosystem in Dubai as well as for its role in protecting the safety and well-being of employees working in industrial facilities and infrastructure projects. Dubai Municipality received the British Safety Council’s Global Safety award for its 132/11kV Substation Project, which generates electricity from Dubai Waste Management Centre to the Warsan Sewage Treatment Plant. Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Award Dubai Municipality further received multiple honours at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) awards, which aims to recognise the performance, policies, and procedures of institutions for public and occupational health and safety and their role in preventing workplace and public accidents and lowering the rate of work injuries. The Municipality’s Waste Operations and Management Fleet Safety initiative secured the gold award in the Fleet and Equipment Safety Category, which emphasises the measures and responsibilities of the logistics department in maintaining safety of the vehicle and equipment fleet and optimum waste management processes. In addition, the Municipality secured two Silver awards in the Occupational Health and Safety as well as Leisure Safety categories. The accolades highlight the efforts of Dubai Municipality to guarantee the health and safety of workers in industrial facilities and infrastructure projects, along with operators and visitors of games and events areas in Dubai. Furthermore, Dubai Municipality won the Bronze award in the Achievement category in recognition of its dedication towards developing occupational health and safety in agricultural management and advancement and implementation of best-in-class public and workplace safety standards to safeguard workers from any accidents. Furthermore, the Municipality’s Deep Tunnel Stormwater Project received the achievement award, which has been implemented with the purpose of collecting rain and surface water and transport it through a deep tunnel to the main pumping stations leading to four water tanks. Research and Innovation Award Dubai Municipality also secured the first position in two categories of the Research and Innovation awards organised by the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. The award seeks to encourage all public and private sector institutions and shed light on the latest innovation, research and application projects that deliver environmentally friendly solutions. The Smart Monitoring Project for the Dubai Municipality’s vehicle fleet secured first place in Government Institutions Category in the field of Future Mobility Solutions. The award seeks to enhance the safety standards of the Municipality’s vehicles, bring down accident rates, and increase awareness of traffic laws. The Dubai Central Laboratory Department secured the first rank in the category of Impacts of Climate Change on the Resilience of the Energy and Infrastructure Sectors. The award recognises the Department’s technical study linked to the use of glass waste as an alternative for rubble with asphalt mixtures used in paving asphalt base layer on roads. The study proved that by using 10% of soft and recycled glass in the mixtures enhances its performance and resilience, further helping meet Dubai’s technical standards for infrastructure projects. – ends –

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  • UAE’s Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, chaired the Emirates Council for Food Security meeting.
  • The council highlighted food security as a crucial focus for the UAE and stressed the importance of employing sustainable technologies and approaches to tackle national challenges.
  • The council evaluated the progress made to date, and the 2023 action plan was discussed.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, chaired the first meeting of the Emirates Council for Food Security in 2023, which reviewed the action plan and the latest developments in the global agricultural sector, and aligned local efforts to enhance national food security on a sustainable basis.

The meeting was attended by council members from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, Ministry of Health and Protection, Ministry of Education, National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA), Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), Dubai Municipality, Sharjah Health Authority, Ajman Municipality and Planning Department, Umm Al Quwain Municipality, Ras Al Khaimah Environment Protection and Development Authority (RAK EPDA), and Fujairah Municipality.

At the meeting, Her Excellency Mariam Almheiri underscored the significance of food security as a key strategic priority for the UAE and highlighted the challenges faced by the country, such as limited arable land and water resources, along with global economic and political shifts that place increased strain on the nation’s food systems. She emphasized the importance of swift and efficient efforts to strengthen national food security in response to these challenges.

Her Excellency Mariam Almheiri said: “As the UAE prepares to host the COP28 conference, it is crucial to highlight our nation’s approach to food security, utilizing the most sustainable technologies and practices that aid in climate change mitigation and environmental conservation at both national and global levels. The UAE undoubtedly presents a global model for food security innovation, boasting unique and pioneering agricultural projects.”

Her Excellency added: “We have faith in our collective ability and the dedication of our work teams to implement all strategic objectives aimed at enhancing the entire food value chain, most importantly boosting food and agricultural production and reinforcing logistical efforts to ensure the supply of healthy, nutritious, and safe food for all members of society at reasonable prices and at all times.”

The council assessed its most notable accomplishments from the previous period by tracking progress through established performance indicators and evaluating the impact on national food security. The council also examined the latest developments in the global agricultural sector, considering various modifications to assess the situation and implement the necessary measures to fulfil the nation’s demand for strategic agricultural and food commodities. This includes facilitating the movement of food trade and ensuring unhindered access to the country’s ports.

Furthermore, the council discussed the 2023 action plan and reviewed the work plans of the technical committees for the upcoming year.

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