Second Al Yasat Festival to take place in Al Dhafra Region in November

The festival will feature various marine races, including 60 feet class sailing dhows -Photo by WAM
The festival will feature various marine races, including 60 feet class sailing dhows -Photo by WAM
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Second Al Yasat Festival to take place in Al Dhafra Region in November

The festival will feature various marine races, including 60 feet class sailing dhows -Photo by WAM
The festival will feature various marine races, including 60 feet class sailing dhows -Photo by WAM

The 2nd Al Yasat Festival will take place from 6th to 10th November 2024 on Al Sila City’s beach in Al Dhafra Region.

Organized by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority and Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, the event aims to promote the role of heritage marine sports and strengthen UAE National identity among community members, state news agency WAM reported.

The festival will feature various marine races, including 60 feet class sailing dhows, 22 feet sailing dhows and a modern sailing regatta, in addition to traditional shops to support productive families, and entertainment activities, promoting tourism in Al Dhafra Region.

Through featuring a range of heritage sporting events and traditional art activities showcasing Emirati traditions, Al Yasat Festival will celebrate the UAE's rich marine heritage, contributing to the promotion of cultural heritage and preserving it for future generations.



UNCCD Executive Secretary Praises Saudi Efforts to Combat Desertification

The current conference session focuses on enhancing capacities to address global drought challenges - SPA
The current conference session focuses on enhancing capacities to address global drought challenges - SPA
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UNCCD Executive Secretary Praises Saudi Efforts to Combat Desertification

The current conference session focuses on enhancing capacities to address global drought challenges - SPA
The current conference session focuses on enhancing capacities to address global drought challenges - SPA

The Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Ibrahim Thiaw, highlighted that the world is currently facing a critical situation. The increasing frequency and unpredictability of droughts present significant challenges to agricultural and food systems in affected countries. He emphasized that land restoration is one of the most effective tools for tackling these global challenges.
During his speech at the opening plenary session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) Monday in Riyadh, he praised Saudi Arabia for its commitment to combating drought and promoting land restoration through the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) and the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI).
The ongoing conference session focuses on enhancing capacities to address global drought challenges.

On its first day, three major international initiatives were announced, including the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Initiative.

This initiative aims to mobilize international action to improve preparedness for drought, transitioning the global response from emergency crisis management and post-crisis relief to a proactive approach centered on early prevention and preparedness before disasters occur.
Additionally, the International Drought Observatory and the Global Drought Atlas were launched, both designed to enhance monitoring and tracking efforts, implement preventive measures, and raise awareness among various stakeholders about drought issues worldwide.
On the eve of the multi-stakeholder talks in Riyadh, the UNCCD released a new report that underscores the escalating global emergency caused by land degradation.

The report highlights the damage caused by unsustainable agricultural practices, which are responsible for 80% of deforestation and account for 70% of freshwater consumption. Furthermore, 23% of greenhouse gas emissions stem from agriculture, forestry, and land use.
According to the latest UNCCD report, 46% of the world's land area is classified as arid. COP16 in Riyadh, taking place from December 2 to 13, is the largest session of the Conference of the Parties to date.

It marks the introduction of a green zone, an innovative concept introduced by the Kingdom to mobilize multilateral action and provide necessary funding for initiatives aimed at rehabilitating degraded lands.