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Around 2.7m children visit Expo since opening

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Expo 2020 Dubai’s focus on children and education has boosted its visit numbers, which have soared to 19,009,065, up almost 1.6 million in a week, with 2.7 million children under 18 visiting the site since the event opened in October last year.

Expo 2020 Dubai’s virtual visitation numbers have crossed 180 million, driven by the diverse entertainment available via Live@Expo and extensive coverage of Expo 2020 Dubai’s Programme for People and Planet.
With just over two weeks left, Expo 2020 Dubai is looking forward to its legacy and the next generation of innovators – from budding scientists to big thinkers.

Earlier this month, the world’s youngest TEDx speaker, six-year-old Kiara Kaur, talked to an adult gathering on ‘Small Change Big Difference’ at the Mexico Pavilion and spoke across the site as part of International Women’s Week activities. Also, children visiting the Dubai Cares Pavilion have been designing their ‘dream school’ in a challenge to aid a theoretical earthquake-hit area.

On March 5, innovative young students and their teachers gathered at Dubai Exhibition Centre for the fourth edition of the Emirates Young Scientist Competition, which forms part of the National Science Technology and Innovation Festival (NSTI), showing off their inventions to create a better future.

DUBAI, 07 March 2022. Students at Jumeirah Primary School, Dubai visit the Sweden Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Katarina Premfors/Expo 2020 Dubai)

The Expo school programme offers four immersive journeys, allowing the students to embark on educational tours through the site’s three Thematic Districts (Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability) and pavilions with experiences aligned with diverse school curricula in the UAE.

On March 18, to mark Haq Al Laila, Expo 2020 Dubai, in conjunction with the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Community Development, will welcome children and families in a unique event in Al Forsan Park.

Haq Al Laila is a time of celebration that symbolises giving and is celebrated on the 15th of Shaaban, in preparation for the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan two weeks later. In the evening, Emirati children wear colourful, traditional clothes and go door-to-door in their neighbourhood singing a song in exchange for sweets.

DUBAI, 14 March 2022. American School of Creative Science, Sharjah perform during Expo Young Stars at Al Wasl, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Anthony Fleyhan/Expo 2020 Dubai)

For Haq Al Laila, Expo 2020 will be distributing 200,000 goodie bags for children, including crisps and sweets. A camel parade, comprising 50 camels, will entertain young visitors in the evening, while bespoke stamps will be available at some Visitor Centres and The Family Place. The Majlises near these Visitor Centres will have panels explaining the meaning and significance of Haq Al Laila.

On March 15 – Khaleeji-led jam sessions to showcase the best of Arabic music and culture – and novelty Filipino pop-rock group Parokya Ni Edgar taking the stage on March 18.

DUBAI, 14 December 2021. Children at Expo 2020 , Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Antony Fleyhan /Expo 2020 Dubai)

Expo Sports Arena is encouraging visitors to get involved in a Guinness World Record attempt for the most nationalities in a fitness class at one time on 17th March, or deep dive into meditation with the Dylan Werner Fitness Special on 15th March.

The final Theme Week of Expo 2020 Dubai – Water Week – begins on March 20. Raising awareness that water is a finite source and currently under threat, the week is a call for collective global action and looks at what we can all do to be proactive agents of change.

Highlighting Expo 2020’s look towards the future and emphasis on young minds, teachers and children will be among the honoured VIP guests at the Expo 2020 Dubai closing ceremony in Al Wasl Plaza on March 31.

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July 1 deadline: UAE ministry reminds firms to meet Emiratisation targets or face penalties

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The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has issued a final reminder to private sector companies with 50 or more employees: meet your mid-year Emiratisation targets by Monday, July 1, 2025, or face monthly fines.

Compliance Checks Begin July 1

Starting July 1, the ministry will begin verifying that:

  • Emirati employees are officially registered with approved pension funds
  • Monthly contributions are being paid in full

Companies failing to comply will be fined Dh9,000 per month for every unfulfilled Emiratisation slot for the first half of the year.

Support and Opportunities for Firms

MoHRE noted that the UAE’s strong economy and job market make it easier than ever to meet hiring goals. Support programmes like Nafis continue to assist companies in attracting qualified Emirati talent.

New Rule for Smaller Firms

The ministry also reminded companies with 20 to 49 employees, especially in 14 key economic sectors, that they are required to hire at least one Emirati by the end of 2025.

These sectors include:

  • Information & communications
  • Finance
  • Healthcare
  • Real estate
  • Manufacturing
  • Transportation & logistics
  • Hospitality
  • Education
    … and more.

More than 12,000 companies are affected by this rule, and electronic notifications have already been sent.

Act Now to Avoid Penalties

MoHRE urges companies to act without delay and ensure full compliance with Emiratisation policies as the government continues to build a more inclusive and diversified national workforce.

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How these UAE cities are winning the war on mosquitoes with smart technology

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Abu Dhabi is taking mosquito control to the next level, using AI-powered smart traps that are transforming how the city monitors and manages mosquito populations, and the results are impressive.

Smarter, Cleaner, More Effective

Unlike traditional mosquito traps, Abu Dhabi’s smart traps don’t rely on chemicals. Instead, they mimic human body emissions, releasing carbon dioxide and a chemical scent similar to human skin, to attract blood-seeking female mosquitoes. Once close, a fan draws the mosquitoes into a net, safely trapping them for analysis.

Each trap is equipped with high-precision sensors and wireless connectivity, allowing it to transmit real-time data, including the number of mosquitoes caught, temperature, humidity, and time, to a central cloud-based system.

AI at Work for Public Health

Using artificial intelligence, the data collected is instantly analysed via smart dashboards. This enables mosquito control teams to identify high-risk areas, peak activity times, and how environmental factors like heat and humidity influence mosquito behaviour, all without the need for on-ground chemical spraying.

Game-Changing Results

Since the smart trap network launched in 2020, Abu Dhabi has seen:

  • 400% increase in mosquito capture efficiency (from 60 mosquitoes per traditional trap to 240 per smart trap),
  • A 42% drop in identified breeding sites,
  • Significant improvement in tracking mosquito populations and seasonal trends.

Dubai has Also Installed Smart Traps to Protect Residents

Dubai had earlier this year rolled out smart traps to protect its residents from insect-borne risks.

237 Smart Traps Installed Across Dubai

Dubai Municipality recently announced the deployment of 237 smart traps in key locations across the emirate, forming part of its proactive efforts to improve public health and enhance pest control systems.

The traps have been strategically positioned in:

  • Residential and commercial neighbourhoods
  • Industrial zones
  • Markets and public parks
  • Areas near water bodies and public facilities

Powered by the Sun, Driven by Data

What makes these traps truly smart? They run on clean solar energy and provide real-time mosquito activity data. By continuously monitoring insect populations, Dubai’s pest control teams can respond more quickly and accurately, especially during the winter season, when mosquito reproduction spikes due to favorable conditions.

A Unified, Tech-Driven Public Health Strategy

Together, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are setting a regional benchmark in sustainable, tech-powered public health protection. While Abu Dhabi’s network has already led to a 400% improvement in mosquito capture efficiency and a 42% drop in breeding sites, Dubai’s new deployment complements the national push toward smarter, cleaner pest control.

By harnessing innovation and sustainability, the UAE is building safer cities, where data, AI, and clean energy play a key role in protecting public health.

Why It Matters

With climate change, urban expansion, and the rise of pesticide-resistant mosquito strains, smarter, sustainable solutions are essential for protecting public health.

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Road diversions in Dubai and Sharjah: What motorists need to know

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If you’re driving in or between Dubai and Sharjah over the next few weeks, take note, major road diversions are in place due to ongoing infrastructure upgrades.

Dubai: Umm Al Daman Underpass Diversion

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a temporary diversion at the Umm Al Daman Underpass on Dubai–Al Ain Road, starting Friday, June 28. The closure will last for two months as the RTA carries out essential upgrades to rainwater and groundwater drainage systems, as well as road resurfacing, to improve driving conditions.

Alternative Route:
Motorists heading towards Dubai are advised to use the Umm Nahad Bridge (Intersection 4), where a U-turn has been set up to maintain smooth traffic flow.

The RTA is urging all drivers to plan ahead, follow posted signs, and allow extra travel time during the diversion period.

Sharjah: Al Intifadah Road Closure

Meanwhile, in Sharjah, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has begun the first phase of a major infrastructure development project, resulting in the closure of a key section of Al Intifadah Road (toward Al Corniche Road) from Friday, June 27, to Sunday, July 27.

The closure is part of Sharjah’s long-term plan to upgrade roads and enhance traffic flow in high-density areas.

Detours in Place:
Traffic will be diverted via Jamal Abdul Nasser Street and nearby internal roads in Al Majaz 2. SRTA has posted detailed maps of the alternative routes on its official social media platforms.

Drivers are encouraged to:

  • Follow all traffic signs and instructions around the area.
  • Avoid the affected roads where possible.
  • Use pre-announced alternate routes to prevent congestion.

For live updates and detour maps, commuters can check the SRTA website or scan the QR code posted around the affected area.

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