The United Arab Emirates and Cisco, the US computer networking company, are expanding their partnership for further three years to work on hybrid workspaces, online security, and to create an innovation ecosystem.
The UAE and Cisco partnered under a three-year program in 2018. In the first phase, digitalization, promotion of a smart government, tourism and trade and improvement of efficiency across the health, energy and logistics sectors were accelerated.
Cisco’s global innovation officer Dr Guy Diedrich said that under the partnership, the company’s country digital acceleration (CDA) program will help governments apply artificial intelligence and machine learning to meet the country’s challenges.
Diedrich said, after successful completion of the first round in all the areas, both sides have signed up for another phase of the three-year program. The UAE’s innovation ecosystem is growing rapidly, he added.
Diedrich pointed out that the coronavirus pandemic has sped up the adoption of new technologies, making the digital divide very evident.
According to an International Telecommunication Union report, the internet penetration rate is 87 percent in the developed world, and only 47 percent in developing countries, while this ratio is just 19 percent in the least developed countries.
Hailing the UAE government’s vision, Diedrich said, the country timely understood that it may have one of the most advanced digital societies in the world.
During the pandemic, Dubai’s Happiness Agenda, found that the city was well equipped for remote working and was able to shift rapidly out of the office. This connectedness helped the country avoid any reduction in services offered to residents and visitors, the Agenda found.
Diedrich said that if 40 percent of the population are connected, they would be able to lift 500 million people out of poverty and add $6.7 trillion to global GDP.
Filipinos in the UAE who need to renew or apply for a passport will soon have to follow a different process.
The Philippine Passport Renewal Centres (PaRC) operated by VFS Global in Dubai and Abu Dhabi will stop accepting applications after June 30, 2026. From July 1 onwards, all passport applications and renewals will be handled directly by the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai.
The announcement was made by the Philippine missions in the UAE through their official social media channels.
What changes from July 1?
For nearly seven years, many Filipinos in the UAE have been able to complete passport renewals through VFS-operated Passport Renewal Centres, offering a convenient alternative to visiting diplomatic missions.
However, beginning July 1, applicants will once again need to book and process their passport services directly through the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General in Dubai.
The Philippine missions did not provide a reason for the closure of the VFS passport renewal centres.
What happens to unclaimed passports?
Applicants who completed their passport renewal process through the VFS centres on or before June 30 do not need to worry.
According to the advisory, all passports processed through the VFS Passport Renewal Centres, including those that have not yet been collected, will be available for pickup from the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai starting July 1.
Officials have also urged applicants with ready passports awaiting collection to claim them as soon as possible.
Need assistance?
Filipinos with passport-related questions can contact the Philippine missions through the following channels:
Applicants are encouraged to check directly with the embassy or consulate for the latest appointment and processing requirements before planning their visit.
Dubai government employees will once again enjoy shorter working hours and more flexible schedules this summer, thanks to the return of the Our Flexible Summer initiative.
Running from June 29 to September 10, the programme offers reduced working hours, flexible schedules and even three-day weekends for some government employees.
The move is also likely to spark renewed debate about whether similar arrangements could eventually be adopted in the private sector. In an earlier AlArabiya report, experts suggested that Dubai’s flexible summer working model could pave the way for wider adoption of shorter workweeks across the UAE and potentially the broader GCC in the years ahead, although it may be a slow process.
Two flexible work models
Under the Our Flexible Summer initiative, government entities can choose between two different working schedules based on operational requirements.
The first group will work seven hours a day from Monday to Thursday, with a shorter four-and-a-half-hour workday on Fridays.
The second group will work eight hours a day from Monday to Thursday and enjoy a full day off every Friday, effectively creating a three-day weekend throughout the summer period.
In addition, government departments may introduce remote working arrangements where appropriate, depending on the nature of their operations and service requirements.
Focus on employee wellbeing
According to the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, the initiative is designed to enhance employee well-being without compromising productivity or service delivery.
Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of DGHR, said the programme has shown that flexible working arrangements can improve employee satisfaction while maintaining strong institutional performance.
He noted that creating people-focused workplaces remains a key priority for Dubai as it continues to develop modern government environments that support innovation, productivity and long-term sustainability.
By providing employees with more time for family, social commitments and personal wellbeing, Dubai aims to create a more attractive and future-ready workplace culture while maintaining high standards of public service.
Sharjah City Municipality has announced that paid public parking hours across the emirate will be extended until midnight from July 1, 2026, in a move aimed at addressing rising demand for parking spaces.
The new timings will apply to all paid parking areas in Sharjah, Kalba, Khorfakkan and Al Dhaid, including zones marked with yellow signboards. These will now operate in line with blue-zone areas, which already remain chargeable until 12am.
— بلدية مدينة الشارقة (@ShjMunicipality) June 24, 2026
The municipality said parking will remain free on Fridays and official public holidays, except in designated areas where charges apply throughout the week, including holidays. In total, the revised system covers around 124,000 paid parking spaces across the emirate.
Under the new rules, parking fees will be applicable from 8am to midnight, although operating mechanisms may vary in certain smart parking zones, particularly in tourist-heavy locations.
Hamed Al Qaed, Director of the Public Parking Department at Sharjah City Municipality, said the decision follows a detailed study of parking usage patterns, occupancy levels and demand across different parts of the emirate. He added that the review also included benchmarking against other systems and feedback from residents and visitors.
He said growing commercial, economic and tourism activity had increased pressure on parking availability, particularly in the evening hours, making extended operation necessary to improve turnover and reduce congestion.
According to the municipality, the change is also intended to address difficulties faced by residents, subscription holders and visitors—especially those visiting restaurants and cafes—who often struggle to find parking after 10pm.
Officials said the extended hours are expected to improve space availability, reduce illegal or informal parking, and enhance traffic flow in busy commercial and residential districts. The move is also aimed at supporting Sharjah’s broader appeal as a place to live and visit.
The municipality clarified that there will be no increase in seasonal parking subscription fees. Existing subscribers will effectively receive two additional hours of daily coverage, with the current 14-hour free window increasing to 16 hours.
Motorists have been urged to comply with the updated timings and use official payment channels, including SMS services and the Sharjah Digital app. The municipality also encouraged residents to make use of seasonal parking permits available through its online services.
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