ABU DHABI / AD MEDIA OFFICE Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award has announced the winners of its 20th anniversary edition (2025-2026), marking two decades of sustained institutional cultural work since its establishment in 2006. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, part of the Department of Culture …

ABU DHABI/WAM The United Arab Emirates welcomes the decision of the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Legal Committee, adopted during its 113th session, strongly condemning the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, as well as its attacks and threats against vessels in the region and its attacks in the territories of the States in the Gulf region and …

VIENNA/WAM The OPEC Fund for International Development has approved a US$20 million loan to support a disaster risk management programme in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, aimed at strengthening national capacities for disaster preparedness, response and mitigation. A statement issued by OPEC Fund’s headquarters in Vienna noted that the programme represents a top priority for the Caribbean island state, which …