Tech firms are rowing back on diversity. Should we be worried?

Tech firms are rowing back on diversity. Should we be worried?

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

IS DEI DEAD?

The Ministry is reminding private sector companies in the UAE to meet a key Emiratisation deadline, with penalties for those who fail to meet their targets.

HE Farida Al Ali from Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation will talk us through their carrot and stick policy.

UAE residents planning last-minute European holidays are facing a severe Schengen visa appointment crunch, with high demand, limited capacity and rising costs making travel harder to secure.

Meanwhile worrying numbers - road accidents are rising sharply, up by 23% in 2025. Road safey expert Thomas Edelman will explain as more than half a million new drivers and 850,000 newly registered vehicles added pressure to the country’s roads.

Meanwhile Abu Dhabi is opening its doors to culture with free museum access, while Art Dubai kicks off this weekend. 

The Ministry is reminding private sector companies in the UAE to meet a key Emiratisation deadline, with penalties for those who fail to meet their targets.
HE Farida Al Ali from Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation will talk us through their carrot and stick policy.
UAE residents planning last-minute European holidays are facing a severe Schengen visa appointment crunch, with high demand, limited capacity and rising costs making travel harder to secure.
Meanwhile worrying numbers - road accidents are rising sharply, up by 23% in 2025. Road safey expert Thomas Edelman will explain as more than half a million new drivers and 850,000 newly registered vehicles added pressure to the country&rsquo;s roads.
Meanwhile Abu Dhabi is opening its doors to culture with free museum access, while Art Dubai kicks off this weekend.&nbsp;

Emiratisation deadline looms

We'll be discussing the wider impact of the war on workers - from sailors trapped in the Strait of Hormuz on stranded ships - to blue collar workers here who might be concerned about job security and getting paid.

Meanwhile - the UAE is investing over one billion dirhams in a new desalination plant in Fujairah - we'll discuss the significance of the plan in the context of the country's long-term water security.

And Ras Al Khaimah launches a new astronaut training programme, we'll discuss the changing face of tourism in the Emirate with the development authority.

Plus President Trump is travelling to China today for a much-anticipated summit with President Xi. Now China gets nearly all its oil from Iran - so could these talks help solve the problems in the Strait of Hormuz?

We'll be discussing the wider impact of the war on workers - from sailors trapped in the Strait of Hormuz on stranded ships - to blue collar workers here who might be concerned about job security and getting paid.
Meanwhile - the UAE is investing over one billion dirhams in a new desalination plant in Fujairah - we'll discuss the significance of the plan in the context of the country's long-term water security.
And Ras Al Khaimah launches a new astronaut training programme, we'll discuss the changing face of tourism in the Emirate with the development authority.
Plus President Trump is travelling to China today for a much-anticipated summit with President Xi. Now China gets nearly all its oil from Iran - so could these talks help solve the problems in the Strait of Hormuz?

Stranded sailors facing growing mental health crisis

A suspected oil spill has been spotted near Iran’s key export hub - raising fresh concerns about the environmental and economic impact of the conflict.

The ripple effects are also being felt far beyond the region. We’ll cross to Sri Lanka, where electricity prices are rising by 18 percent today as the energy crisis deepens and Asia is facing a plastic shortage as the conflict disrupts supply chains.

And here in the UAE - as any parent will know - children are back in school. We're all hoping that's the last time we'll have to do distance learning - but how realistic is that?

Plus Abu Dhabi is banning delivery motorcycles from high-speed roads - we'll ask a safety expert whether this will reduce accidents.

And while the Wynn Al Marjan Island might be facing slight delays - Ras Al Khaimah is taking tourism to new heights with plans to launch astronaut-style training experiences.

A suspected oil spill has been spotted near Iran&rsquo;s key export hub - raising fresh concerns about the environmental and economic impact of the conflict.
The ripple effects are also being felt far beyond the region. We&rsquo;ll cross to Sri Lanka, where electricity prices are rising by 18 percent today as the energy crisis deepens and Asia is facing a plastic shortage as the conflict disrupts supply chains.
And here in the UAE - as any parent will know - children are back in school. We're all hoping that's the last time we'll have to do distance learning - but how realistic is that?
Plus Abu Dhabi is banning delivery motorcycles from high-speed roads - we'll ask a safety expert whether this will reduce accidents.
And while the Wynn Al Marjan Island might be facing slight delays - Ras Al Khaimah is taking tourism to new heights with plans to launch astronaut-style training experiences.

IS DEI DEAD?

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