PUBLIC SECTOR NEWS AND AFFAIRS
Abu Dhabi Current News and Affairs S GENERAL GOVERNMENT NEW UAE CITIZENS GRANTED EASIER ENTRY TO EUROPE
After an agreement signed in Brussels, UAE nationals no longer require a visa to travel to the 25 countries in The Schengen area, in addition to eight other applicant countries. H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Foreign Minister described the agreement with the European Union as a significant achievement for UAE diplomacy. Citizens can now travel to most European countries without going through the process of applying for a Schengen visa.
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ABU DHABI EXCELLENCE AWARD IN GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE INTRODUCTORY ROUND CONCLUDED
The Abu Dhabi General Secretariat of the Executive Council has stated in a press release that its introductory rounds for government entities participating in the fourth session of the Abu Dhabi Award for Excellence in Government Performance (ADAEP) have been concluded. The introductory rounds are aimed at informing government leaders about the details of the Award’s fourth session and affirming their prominent role in urging their departments and employees to strive for excellence in government services.
Issue 5 - MAY 2015
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS MUNICIPAL SYSTEM LAUNCHES THE NOCS FOR UTILITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMME
The Department of Municipal Affairs has announced that the Municipal System reached an agreement with 13 public and private entities concerned with the issuance of NOCs in respect of public utilities and the infrastructure of Abu Dhabi Emirate. The agreement aims at simplifying operations, and reducing procedures of obtaining NOCs by individuals and companies. The agreement was made in the context of the program of issuing NOCs relating to facilities and infrastructure in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which was launched by the Government in 2011, and designed by Abu Dhabi Systems & Information Centre in collaboration with the Municipal System and 19 relevant entities.
HEALTH SLOW CRIPPLING OF POLIO AND UAE’S EFFORTS RECOGNIZED WORLDWIDE On 30th April 2015 the UAE received due recognition for its efforts in eradicating polio
and becoming a polio-free country since 1993. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative indicated imminent disappearance of this crippling disease worldwide. The attendees included representatives from the WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International, American CDC, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The UAE was praised for its role in the fight against this debilitating disease, and the WHO Director of Polio Operations, Dr Hamid Jafari commented that; “The UAE has been a key partner providing not only funding, but on-the-ground support as well.” The UAE’s hard work in helping Pakistan overcome its problems involving polio vaccination was also lauded. The event followed on the heels of HAAD’s National Polio Campaign, which is responsible for vaccinating 254,082 children.
MEDIA, ARTS, AND CULTURE MUCH AWAITED DEBUT Asma Alshamsi, a local puppeteer has added a new creation to the colorful cast of Iftah Ya Simsim – the Arab version of Sesame Street. The new addition is Shams, a bubbly six-year-old girl who intends to make her debut at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair – May 7 to May 13, much before the relaunch of the show. Bidaya Media spokesperson had this to say: “The public debut of Shams is an incred-