The UAE’s Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has launched the Digital Enablers Experts (DEE) program, a new training initiative designed to help technical teams across government entities and private-sector organizations integrate UAE PASS services into their systems.

The program provides a practical pathway that takes participants from understanding UAE PASS integration requirements to implementing them in a training environment, with the aim of speeding up integration and improving readiness for operational launch.

Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, Director-General of TDRA, said building human capabilities is key to translating digital infrastructure into better services.

“We are not simply providing training content; we are offering a unified, practical pathway that enables entities to move from understanding UAE PASS requirements to implementing secure and effective operational integration,” he said.

UAE PASS, the country’s national digital identity platform, is increasingly central to the UAE’s push to streamline digital services and reduce repetitive procedures across government and private-sector platforms.

The DEE program consists of nine training modules developed in accordance with the GovStack framework. It covers four stages of system integration: initiation, development, assessment, and operational launch.

Rather than focusing primarily on theoretical concepts, the training mirrors the UAE PASS integration process, connecting each stage to the regulatory, technical, and security requirements teams encounter during implementation.

Participants will learn how to identify integration requirements, configure technical environments, conduct testing, and prepare systems for launch in line with UAE PASS requirements.

The program also includes virtual labs, self-paced learning, and role-specific content. It targets technical teams, service owners, solution providers, and system integrators either joining the UAE PASS ecosystem or looking to improve existing integrations.

The initiative is part of TDRA’s broader efforts to strengthen the UAE’s digital government ecosystem and develop the technical capabilities needed to deliver more connected, proactive, and secure digital services.

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Abu Dhabi has recorded its first-ever nesting of an Olive Ridley turtle, marking a significant milestone for marine biodiversity in the emirate.

The nest was discovered on Saadiyat Island by volunteers from the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi’s (EAD) Saadiyat Turtle Patrol. The finding makes the Olive Ridley the third marine turtle species confirmed to nest in Abu Dhabi, alongside Hawksbill and Green turtles.

The turtle laid 109 eggs on March 29, 2026, with hatchlings emerging on May 25. Of the eggs, 40 hatchlings successfully reached the sea, representing a hatching success rate of around 37%.

EAD said the successful emergence demonstrates that local environmental conditions can support the species through its full reproductive cycle, providing researchers with an important baseline for future monitoring and conservation efforts.

“The first recorded nesting of an Olive Ridley turtle in Abu Dhabi is a landmark moment for marine biodiversity in the emirate,” said Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD.

She added that the discovery reflects the resilience of Abu Dhabi’s marine ecosystems and the impact of the emirate’s long-term conservation efforts.

As Olive Ridley turtles had never previously been recorded nesting in Abu Dhabi, EAD partnered with Khalifa University to verify the species using DNA barcoding. The analysis found a 99% genetic match with Lepidochelys olivacea, scientifically confirming the nesting record.

The nest was monitored throughout its incubation using a solar-powered camera, while volunteers and EAD marine specialists increased patrols as the expected hatching date approached.

Olive Ridley turtles are classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and nest in relatively few locations worldwide. They are also considered an indicator species, with their presence helping scientists assess the health of the marine ecosystems they inhabit.

The turtles contribute to marine ecosystems by feeding on species including jellyfish, crabs, shrimp and molluscs, while their nesting activity transfers nutrients from the sea to coastal environments.

The discovery adds to more than 25 years of marine turtle research conducted by EAD. Four of the world’s seven marine turtle species — Hawksbill, Green, Loggerhead and Olive Ridley — have now been recorded in Abu Dhabi’s waters.

According to EAD’s 2024 aerial survey, the emirate’s waters support an estimated 8,000 marine turtles, while at least 17 nesting locations have been identified across its offshore islands.

The latest discovery follows Abu Dhabi’s first confirmed Green turtle nest in 2023 and expands scientists’ understanding of marine turtle distribution and breeding in the emirate.

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Oman Environmental Services Holding Company (be’ah) is expanding its carbon-management activities with plans to develop carbon credits from greenhouse-gas emission reductions across its waste-management operations, with landfill gas recovery emerging as a key area of focus.

The initiative is guided by be’ah’s Carbon Management Framework, which covers the process from measuring emissions and identifying reduction opportunities to registering, verifying and issuing carbon credits and integrating them into the company’s financial activities.

The framework is built around five stages: carbon accounting; identifying emissions-reduction projects; carbon-credit registration and verification; the issuance, sale and retirement of credits; and financial and accounting integration.

The strategy follows be’ah’s 2024 greenhouse-gas inventory, which recorded combined Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions of 1.285 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. Scope 1 emissions accounted for 1.279 million tonnes, while Scope 2 emissions stood at 6,672 tonnes.

Solid-waste disposal sites were the largest source of Scope 1 emissions, accounting for 91.9%, followed by mobile combustion, mainly from the municipal solid-waste collection fleet, at 4.9%, and flaring at 1.5%.

The findings have placed landfill methane at the center of be’ah’s emissions-reduction efforts. Capturing landfill gas generated by decomposing organic waste and subsequently flaring or using it can reduce methane emissions and create measurable reductions that may be converted into carbon credits.

be’ah has previously partnered with OQ Trading, the global marketing arm of OQ Group, to identify carbon-credit opportunities and support project development, certification, verification and marketing.

Two landfill gas recovery projects at the Al Multaqa and Barka landfills were registered under Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard in 2024. The Al Multaqa project received credits for 2021 and 2022, while Barka received credits for 2022.

be’ah is also developing projects to convert recovered landfill gas into electricity. Al Multaqa has an estimated recovery potential of 430 Nm³ per hour and 460 kW of generation capacity, while Barka could recover around 530 Nm³ per hour and generate 600 kW.

The projects were around 55% complete by end-2025 and were scheduled for completion in July 2026. They aim to reduce methane emissions while generating energy and creating potential links between Oman’s waste sector and carbon markets.

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Qatar Airways has become the first airline globally to operate Boeing 787-9 aircraft equipped with Starlink connectivity, expanding its rollout of high-speed onboard Wi-Fi across its widebody fleet.

The airline has also completed the installation of Starlink across its Boeing 787-8 sub-fleet in seven months, bringing the total number of Starlink-equipped Qatar Airways widebody aircraft to 150. The carrier said it remains on track to complete the rollout across its entire Boeing 787 fleet by the end of 2026.

The latest milestone follows the completion of Starlink installations across the airline’s Boeing 777 fleet in nine months and its Airbus A350 fleet in eight months. Qatar Airways now operates Starlink-equipped fleets across the Boeing 777, Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft types.

Since introducing Starlink connectivity in October 2024, more than 23 million passengers have used the service across over 86,000 Qatar Airways flights, according to the airline. Starlink Wi-Fi is offered free of charge and is available from gate to gate on equipped aircraft.

The service provides passengers with access to high-speed internet for activities including work, messaging and entertainment, with connection speeds of up to 500 Mbps.

Qatar Airways said Starlink connectivity is now available on an increasing number of long-haul and ultra-long-haul routes across its global network, including flights to the Americas and Australasia, as well as destinations across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

The airline said its Starlink installation program has now surpassed 83% completion, with up to 323 Starlink-equipped flights operating daily. The continued rollout forms part of Qatar Airways’ broader efforts to expand onboard connectivity and digital services across its international network.

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Etihad Airways has become the first airline to accept Jaywan, the UAE’s national domestic card scheme, as a payment option for flight bookings.

UAE-based customers can now use Jaywan cards to book Etihad flights directly through etihad.com across the airline’s global network.

The integration gives customers another payment option at checkout and forms part of Etihad’s partnership with Al Etihad Payments, the Central Bank of the UAE subsidiary that operates Jaywan.

“Being the first airline to accept Jaywan payments is a proud moment reflecting our commitment to deliver greater choice and convenience for our guests, while rewarding loyal travellers,” said Mark Potter, Managing Director of Etihad Guest at Etihad Airways.

“This is the first step in our partnership with Al Etihad Payments, and a demonstration of how closely Etihad is aligned with the UAE’s strategic growth and integration across sectors.”

Potter added that UAE-based customers can now book flights using a payment method designed specifically for the domestic market. Etihad also plans to introduce additional benefits for Etihad Guest members who hold Jaywan Royal cards.

Jaywan Royal cardholders will soon receive exclusive discounts on Comfort and Deluxe fares, alongside priority access benefits.

Andrea Cianchetti, Chief Products Officer at Al Etihad Payments, said the partnership expands the practical uses available to Jaywan cardholders.

“Our partnership with Etihad Airways adds direct value as Jaywan cardholders can use their cards to book flights, and Jaywan Royal cardholders gain exclusive fare discounts and priority benefits,” Cianchetti said.

Jaywan, operated by Al Etihad Payments, is designed as a domestic payment card tailored to the needs of customers in the UAE. The scheme officially launched in July 2026, with banks and licensed financial institutions continuing to roll out cards across the country.

The latest integration follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Etihad Airways and Al Etihad Payments in October 2025.

The Jaywan payment option is now available to UAE-based customers booking through etihad.com and can be used for flights across Etihad’s full route network.

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Sharjah is strengthening its innovation ecosystem to accelerate the development and commercialization of practical solutions in water, food, energy and resource management, led by the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTI Park).

SRTI Park brings together research and development, technology, entrepreneurship, investment and industry, creating pathways for emerging solutions to be developed, tested and transformed into scalable projects.

Sharjah’s innovation ecosystem includes technologies across mobility, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, construction and digital technologies. Among them is uSky Transport’s suspended transport system, alongside projects involving conductive concrete and green hydrogen.

Maxbyte is also deploying artificial intelligence, robotics and digital technologies to support industrial transformation, improve productivity and advance sustainable manufacturing practices.

Other projects include digital infrastructure and data centres, as well as advanced construction technologies such as a 3D-printed house, demonstrating the potential of additive manufacturing in the built environment.

Innovation in food security and agriculture, water management, clean energy, the circular economy and environmental technologies is also creating opportunities for technology companies, investors and emerging ventures. These areas include precision agriculture, AI-enabled farming, smart water management and reuse, emissions-reduction technologies, renewable energy, hydrogen and energy storage.

SRTI Park’s integrated ecosystem seeks to address one of the main challenges facing emerging technologies: moving innovations from laboratories to markets. By connecting researchers, startups, industry, investors and government entities, it provides opportunities for technology transfer, testing and pilot projects.

Startups can validate technologies and connect with potential customers and partners, while industries can test solutions against operational challenges and investors can identify technologies and companies with growth potential.

Water, food and energy are among the sectors where sustainability and economic opportunities increasingly converge. AI, automation and data-driven technologies can improve agricultural productivity and resource efficiency, while advanced treatment, desalination, reuse and resource recovery technologies offer new approaches to water management.

Opportunities are also expanding across renewable energy, storage, hydrogen, energy management and smart infrastructure. Circular economy technologies that reduce waste, promote recycling and recover value from resources can improve efficiency while creating new business models.

Against this backdrop, Sharjah Next – Sustainability will take place on 28th and 29th October, 2026, at SPARK, bringing together researchers, businesses, government entities, investors and technology providers to advance the localization, commercialization, piloting and deployment of scalable sustainability solutions.

The program will focus on food security and agriculture, water, environmental solutions and the circular economy, clean energy and energy efficiency, sustainable innovation financing and emerging technologies.

Beyond dialogue and knowledge exchange, Sharjah Next – Sustainability aims to create opportunities for technology transfer, pilot projects, collaboration and investment by connecting companies, researchers, government entities and investors.

Through these initiatives, Sharjah is strengthening its position as a destination for technology companies, innovators, researchers and investors, while building an ecosystem that connects research, technology, entrepreneurship, investment and industry to support a more efficient, sustainable and future-ready economy.

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King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has launched the first phase of its “Silent Airport” project at Terminal 5, reducing general public announcements as part of efforts to create a quieter and more comfortable passenger experience.

Under the initiative, general audio announcements will be reduced and largely limited to departure gates, while passengers will increasingly rely on digital screens and other electronic channels for flight information.

The move is intended to reduce noise levels inside the terminal while ensuring travelers continue to receive essential updates about their flights.

Passengers can track flight information through the airport’s website, digital signage and its WhatsApp service at 920020090. The airport’s “Ask Me” customer service team will also remain available to provide assistance and answer passenger queries.

The first phase at Terminal 5 will allow the airport to gradually shift towards greater reliance on digital communication, while retaining targeted announcements at departure gates where necessary to ensure passengers receive important information.

The airport said the initiative will be introduced gradually, with additional phases to be announced at a later stage. The project forms part of efforts to enhance the overall passenger experience while making greater use of digital services and communication channels within the terminal.

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Young people across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are reporting higher levels of key digital skills than the global average, particularly in programming, privacy management and information verification, according to new data from the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-STAT).

The data, published in a weekly bulletin marking International Youth Day, shows that 31.8% of GCC youth possess programming skills, compared with a global average of 6%. The regional rate is more than five times the worldwide level.

GCC youth also recorded higher rates across other digital capabilities included in the data. Privacy settings skills were reported by 75.9% of young people in the GCC, compared with 34% globally, while 61.6% reported information-verification skills, against a global average of 24%.

Social networking was among the most widely reported capabilities, with 95.2% of GCC youth possessing these skills, compared with 68% globally. The data also showed that 100% of GCC youth had file-copying skills, compared with a global average of 54%.

The findings come as GCC countries continue to invest in education, digital capabilities and workforce development as their economies undergo wider technological transformation. Government spending on education in some GCC countries reached around 17% in 2024, compared with a global average of 12.6%, according to the bulletin.

Digital and information and communication technology skills are becoming increasingly relevant to employment, entrepreneurship and innovation, while capabilities such as privacy management and information verification are also important as individuals navigate an increasingly digital economy.

The indicators are linked to broader efforts to prepare younger generations for changing labor-market requirements and support the development of skills relevant to employment and entrepreneurship. They also align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including targets aimed at increasing the number of young people and adults with skills needed for decent work and entrepreneurship by 2030.

The GCC-STAT figures point to a significant digital skills advantage among young people in the region across the five areas measured, as Gulf countries continue to develop their human capital alongside investments in digital infrastructure and technology.

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Parkin, the Dubai-listed paid public parking provider, is expanding into Egypt as part of its strategy to take its smart parking solutions beyond its home market.

The company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Modon Misr for Asset and Facility Management, Egyptian transport services provider Mwasalat Misr and Redcon Properties.

Under the agreement, the parties will explore the deployment of Parkin’s smart parking technologies across parking assets managed by the Egyptian companies. The solutions will include Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), AI-enabled parking cameras, barrierless parking systems, digital permits and parking management platforms.

The partnership marks Parkin’s latest international expansion move and builds on its efforts to extend its technology-driven parking model across the region.

Last month, Parkin announced its first expansion outside Dubai, partnering with master developer Arada to introduce its smart paid parking system in Sharjah.

The Egypt agreement gives Parkin another opportunity to expand its technology and parking management capabilities into a new market, while working with local operators and property developers to support the management of parking assets.

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Egypt has launched a mobile application for real estate transactions as part of efforts to simplify government services and expand the use of digital solutions.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly unveiled the application on Tuesday during the opening of a new Premium Tax Services Center in New Alamein City. The platform is intended to provide faster and more accessible real estate transaction services, including for Egyptians living abroad, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The launch comes as the government continues to reform Egypt’s tax system and expand electronic services. Madbouly said the state is working to simplify procedures and develop a stronger customer-service approach to make it easier for citizens and investors to access government services.

He added that the government is also pursuing additional tax incentives and measures aimed at creating a more attractive business environment, while strengthening cooperation between the state, investors and taxpayers.

Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk said the ministry is focusing on “facilitation and simplification” through an integrated electronic tax system. Automating tax procedures, he said, is intended to encourage voluntary compliance, expand the taxpayer base and improve investor satisfaction, supporting businesses seeking to increase production and exports.

Rasha Abdel Aal, head of the Egyptian Tax Authority, said the authority is also seeking to expand the taxpayer base by strengthening trust with taxpayers and improving the quality of services.

The new Premium Tax Services Center is part of the government’s wider push to modernize tax administration and shift more services online. Khaled Abdel Ghani, CEO of e.tax, said the company would provide electronic tax services through specialized teams and technical support, while using feedback from users to improve service delivery.

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