分类： technology

The United Arab Emirates has inaugurated its first carbon capture and utilization (CCU) plant in Ras Al Khaimah, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s efforts to reduce industrial emissions and enhance domestic CO₂ supply chains. Developed by Gulf Cryo in collaboration with RAK Ceramics, the facility captures CO₂ emissions from natural-gas engines and converts them into 99.99% pure, food-grade CO₂. This high-purity CO₂ is utilized across various industries, including food and beverage, healthcare, agriculture, and energy. The plant, which captures approximately 17,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually, employs an energy-efficient purification system to produce liquefied carbon dioxide, subsequently distributed to industries reliant on CO₂ for their operations. Prior to this facility, the UAE depended on imported CO₂ from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The new plant not only reduces this dependency but also supports the development of a circular carbon economy. The project aligns with the UAE Net Zero 2050 strategy, aiming for carbon neutrality through cleaner technologies and industrial efficiency. It also reflects the growing interest of private companies in carbon capture and utilization projects to meet national sustainability goals. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Sheikh Saqr bin Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Ceramics, and Sami Huneidi, Chief Administrative Officer of Gulf Cryo, alongside senior executives from both organizations. This initiative is part of RAK Ceramics’ broader decarbonization plan and contributes to the emirate’s sustainability targets under the Ras Al Khaimah Integrated Sustainability Strategy 2050. The facility stands as a local model for emission reduction and resource recovery within the manufacturing sector, showcasing the UAE’s commitment to sustainable industrial practices.

Ras Al Khaimah is set to launch a groundbreaking digital platform, ‘BeRAK,’ aimed at enhancing employee engagement and wellbeing across its tourism and hospitality sectors. The app, developed over a year with input from industry experts and wellbeing specialists, integrates four core pillars: engagement, wellbeing, communication, and development. It provides a unified space for hotel employees, tour operators, guides, and attraction staff to connect, share updates, access professional learning opportunities, and celebrate achievements.

BeRAK offers a blend of social and professional features, including spaces for celebrating milestones, dedicated channels for internal communication, and team recognition. It also introduces a playful, community-driven element where employees can participate in games, create cross-hotel challenges, and earn rewards for engagement. Points accumulated through app activity can be redeemed for vouchers, discounts, or gifts, providing tangible incentives for participation.

Beyond engagement, the app emphasizes employee wellbeing by offering access to psychologists, nutritionists, and personal development coaches. Employees can book up to five private sessions annually with certified experts and access on-demand training videos covering topics like stress management and healthy living.

Dr. Mira Zakharia, Senior Director of Human Resources at Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, highlighted the app’s role in fostering a sense of belonging and support among employees. ‘Healthy people are happier and perform better, and when employees feel supported, that positivity extends naturally to guests and the workplace,’ she said.

The initiative is expected to set a new benchmark for employee engagement and wellbeing in the tourism and hospitality sectors, starting in Ras Al Khaimah. The app will be gradually introduced across all hotels and tourism establishments in the emirate, reflecting the region’s commitment to nurturing a connected and thriving workforce.

As Africa’s mobile revolution evolves, the continent stands on the brink of a new digital era driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and financial technology (fintech). This was the central theme at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Africa, held in Kigali, Rwanda, where policymakers and industry leaders emphasized the need to bridge digital and energy gaps to unlock inclusive growth. Rwandan President Paul Kagame, speaking at the opening ceremony, highlighted Africa’s rapid digital transformation, noting how mobile technology has become integral to daily life, revolutionizing commerce, education, and finance. He praised mobile money as a global model for financial inclusion, empowering small businesses and women entrepreneurs. However, Kagame cautioned that Africa must urgently address its digital divide, as only a small fraction of its population is connected compared to the global average. He stressed the importance of integrating AI into public services and harmonizing policies to foster innovation. Rwanda’s Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire, echoed this sentiment, calling for collaboration across governments, industries, and innovators to position Africa as a leader in digital transformation. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union, projected that AI could generate $2.9 trillion for the African economy, emphasizing the need for cross-sector cooperation. Vivek Badrinath, Director General of the Global System for Mobile Communications Association, highlighted Africa’s mobile industry as one of the largest infrastructures globally, covering 91% of the population. He called for partnerships to develop inclusive AI models for African languages and stressed the importance of regulatory reforms to attract investment. Closing the usage gap, he noted, could add $625 billion to Africa’s GDP by 2030, underscoring that connectivity is about empowering people and driving sustainable growth.

The Mobile Developers Week, scheduled for December 13-15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, is set to become a landmark event for Android developers, innovators, and industry leaders. Organized by OMNES Technologies, a leader in MarTech innovation in the MENA region, the event will unite droidcon Abu Dhabi and Swift Heroes Abu Dhabi under one roof for the first time. This convergence aims to explore the transformative potential of on-device artificial intelligence (AI) and Android performance enhancements, driving the next generation of user experiences.

Samsung Gulf Electronics, a strategic partner of the event, underscores its commitment to advancing AI-driven performance, efficiency, and privacy on mainstream devices. With the global on-device AI market projected to grow at a CAGR of 24.6% to reach $124 billion by 2025, the event highlights the immense opportunities in this rapidly evolving sector. Fahed Aldeeb, CEO of OMNES Technologies, emphasized the importance of addressing user needs such as privacy, personalization, and power efficiency while keeping pace with technological advancements.

The event will feature three key sessions: ‘The State of AI/ML on Android,’ focusing on performance optimization and embedded intelligence; ‘AI in Your Pocket: Implementing LiteRT in Android Apps,’ offering hands-on insights into real-time AI models; and ‘Empowering Android Apps with Local Google Gemini,’ exploring native AI integration. These sessions align with Samsung’s vision of democratizing AI, making it accessible and intuitive for all users.

Mobile Developers Week will also host interactive exhibitions, networking zones, live app launches, and startup pitches across four stages: GovAI Summit, NextPlay Arena, droidcon Abu Dhabi, and Swift Heroes Abu Dhabi. Supported by the Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau and various media partners, the event is expected to attract 3,000 visitors, fostering collaboration among developers, engineers, entrepreneurs, and investors to shape the future of mobile innovation.