One of the most powerful commitments made here in Abu Dhabi this week wasn’t financial in the traditional sense — it was humanitarian.  At the "Investing in Humanity" session at Abu Dhabi Finance Week, world leaders, philanthropists, and global health institutions pledged a total of $1.9 billion to help eradicate polio.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has just launched a new Digital Resilience Policy aiming to make neighbourhoods smarter, greener, and more adaptable. So how are these big ideas translated into the public spaces we all use?

One of the big stories coming out of the Abu Dhabi Finance Week is the capital’s rise as a serious global hub for startups and innovation. At the centre of that story is Hub71, the capital’s tech ecosystem that’s helped launch hundreds of high-growth startups across fintech, healthtech, AI, and climate tech. 

And how do we design public spaces that people actually want to use, even during summer?

One of the most powerful commitments made here in Abu Dhabi this week wasn&rsquo;t financial in the traditional sense &mdash; it was humanitarian.&nbsp; At the "Investing in Humanity" session at Abu Dhabi Finance Week, world leaders, philanthropists, and global health institutions pledged a total of $1.9 billion to help eradicate polio.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has just launched a new Digital Resilience Policy aiming to make neighbourhoods smarter, greener, and more adaptable. So how are these big ideas translated into the public spaces we all use?
One of the big stories coming out of the Abu Dhabi Finance Week is the capital&rsquo;s rise as a serious global hub for startups and innovation. At the centre of that story is Hub71, the capital&rsquo;s tech ecosystem that&rsquo;s helped launch hundreds of high-growth startups across fintech, healthtech, AI, and climate tech.&nbsp;
And how do we design public spaces that people actually want to use, even during summer?

The Agenda is your go-to programme for news, analysis and comment - a daily digest of local and international stories that matter to you. Broadcasting every weekday, Georgia Tolley goes beyond the headlines to speak to government ministers, decision makers, analysts and local experts to find out how the news will impact those of us living in the UAE.
From Covid-19, to climate change and community issues, The Agenda covers stories from every walk of life, so get in touch with us and tell us your news.

The Agenda is your go-to programme for news, analysis and comment - a daily digest of local and international stories that matter to you. Broadcasting every weekday, Georgia Tolley goes beyond the headlines to speak to government ministers, decision makers, analysts and local experts to find out how the news will impact those of us living in the UAE. From Covid-19, to climate change and community issues, The Agenda covers stories from every walk of life, so get in touch with us and tell us your news.

The Agenda

Ending Polio for Good

The worst of the weather hit last night, with torrential downpours and thunderstorms sweeping across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah. Videos circulating online show flooded roads, poor visibility, and that rare UAE phenomenon— hailstones clattering off car windscreens. So what more can we expect as the day unfolds?

ARN News Centre's Surina Kelly joins us for more updates on travel, flights and government advisories.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has just announced the second phase of the nationwide ban on single-use plastic products and bags, a move that's set to come 

into full effect on January 1st, 2026. Her Excellency Engineer Alya Abdelrahim Alharmoodi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sustainable Communities Sector at the Ministry of 

Climate Change and Environment gives us more details.

We also look at what this means for business, consumers and the future of sustainable alternatives to plastic.

And we meet an Emirati marine engineer who joined a landmark exhibition to the Union Glacier in Antarctica.

 

 

The worst of the weather hit last night, with torrential downpours and thunderstorms sweeping across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah. Videos circulating online show flooded roads, poor visibility, and that rare UAE phenomenon&mdash; hailstones clattering off car windscreens. So what more can we expect as the day unfolds?
ARN News Centre's Surina Kelly joins us for more updates on travel, flights and government advisories.
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has just announced the second phase of the nationwide ban on single-use plastic products and bags, a move that's set to come&nbsp;
into full effect on January 1st, 2026. Her Excellency Engineer Alya Abdelrahim Alharmoodi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sustainable Communities Sector at the Ministry of&nbsp;
Climate Change and Environment gives us more details.
We also look at what this means for business, consumers and the future of sustainable alternatives to plastic.
And we meet an Emirati marine engineer who joined a landmark exhibition to the Union Glacier in Antarctica.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Updates on UAE weather and travel

As more rain is expected throughout the UAE, we speak with forecaster Alya Almazroui from the National Center of Meteorology, for the latest weather updates.

We're also joined by Sebastien Bedu, General Manager for the Middle East at International SOS, to talk about how companies here have responded and adapted since the 2024 floods.

Now with the rain already affecting parts of the UAE, and more disruption expected over the next 24 to 48 hours, here’s a question that’s on many employees’ minds:

If I get stuck in traffic or delayed by floodwater on the way to work... does that count as working time? Employment lawyer Ali Al Assaad is here to answer that.

Just as many of us are looking forward to a well-earned winter break, doctors are warning about a new, aggressive flu variant that’s spreading fast across parts of the world.

We go behind the scenes to know the logistics of your turkey takeaways this holiday season.

Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? Let's hear the take of Dr David Tully, Associate Professor in Film, Head of Media at Middlesex University Dubai.


And meet... Dabubu

As more rain is expected throughout the UAE, we speak with forecaster Alya Almazroui from the National Center of Meteorology, for the latest weather updates.
We're also joined by Sebastien Bedu, General Manager for the Middle East at International SOS, to talk about how companies here have responded and adapted since the 2024 floods.
Now with the rain already affecting parts of the UAE, and more disruption expected over the next 24 to 48 hours, here&rsquo;s a question that&rsquo;s on many employees&rsquo; minds:
If I get stuck in traffic or delayed by floodwater on the way to work... does that count as working time? Employment lawyer Ali Al Assaad is here to answer that.
Just as many of us are looking forward to a well-earned winter break, doctors are warning about a new, aggressive flu variant that&rsquo;s spreading fast across parts of the world.
We go behind the scenes to know the logistics of your turkey takeaways this holiday season.
Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? Let's hear the take of Dr David Tully, Associate Professor in Film, Head of Media at Middlesex University Dubai.
 And meet... Dabubu

Your guide to the latest UAE weather 

That’s the view emerging from PwC, one of the Big Four consultancy firms, which has just announced that it’s rolling out mandatory resilience training for its new graduate hires.

Why? Because while these fresh recruits are passing all the cognitive and technical tests, PwC says they’re often arriving without the human skills needed to thrive in a high-pressure corporate environment, things like confidence, communication, and handling feedback. Check the discussion with Hudson RPO's Toby Simpson and two brilliant Gen Z's Jose and Sam.

A brand-new survey has gone out to schools across Dubai, aiming to explore how financial literacy is being taught and how it could be improved. Fatma Al Janahi, Director of Foundation and Growth Policies and Programmes at the KHDA tells us more.

We also look at tools to help young people build real-world money skills in a way that’s engaging, interactive and actually fun.

Find out why tens of thousands of Filipinos are gathering days before Christmas.

And where do real Christmas trees, sold here in the UAE, come from?

That&rsquo;s the view emerging from PwC, one of the Big Four consultancy firms, which has just announced that it&rsquo;s rolling out mandatory resilience training for its new graduate hires.
Why? Because while these fresh recruits are passing all the cognitive and technical tests, PwC says they&rsquo;re often arriving without the human skills needed to thrive in a high-pressure corporate environment, things like confidence, communication, and handling feedback. Check the discussion with Hudson RPO's Toby Simpson and two brilliant Gen Z's Jose and Sam.
A brand-new survey has gone out to schools across Dubai, aiming to explore how financial literacy is being taught and how it could be improved. Fatma Al Janahi, Director of Foundation and Growth Policies and Programmes at the KHDA tells us more.
We also look at tools to help young people build real-world money skills in a way that&rsquo;s engaging, interactive and actually fun.
Find out why tens of thousands of Filipinos are gathering days before Christmas.
And where do real Christmas trees, sold here in the UAE, come from?

Ending Polio for Good

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