Miscellaneous

Backstreet Boys returning to Etihad Arena in October

The Backstreet Boys are set to return to the UAE for a concert celebrating throwback classics at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi on October 23, following the boy band’s record-breaking, sell-out performance at the venue in May 2023.

Presented by Live Nation Middle East in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, and Miral, the leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences in Abu Dhabi, fans can look forward to a night of night filled with their greatest hits, including the singalong songs “Everybody” and “I Want It That Way”.

Despite Kevin Richardson’s absence, due to scheduling conflicts, the remaining members, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, and Brian Littrell, promise to deliver the complete Backstreet Boys experience, showcasing their iconic harmonies and captivating performances.

For over 30 years, the Backstreet Boys have been at the forefront of pop music, earning their place as one of the most influential pop acts in history.

With countless #1 hits, record-setting tours, numerous awards, and over 130 million records sold worldwide, they are officially recognised as the best-selling boy band in history.

Following the release of their first album, “Backstreet Boys”, in 1996, the group has had a meteoric rise to fame, receiving nine Grammy Awards nominations amongst an abundance of other accolades over their three-decade-long career to date.

In early 2019, the Backstreet Boys released their Grammy-nominated 10th studio album “DNA” on RCA Records. The album debuted at #1 and features the Top 10 hit “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” along with a myriad of other catchy numbers.

The critically acclaimed single was nominated for the “Pop Duo/Group Performance” Grammy in 2019 and marked the band’s return to the Billboard Hot 100 after a decade.

Upon its release, the single soared to #1 on iTunes Top Songs and Global charts, charting in over 22 countries.

May 2019 saw the launch of “The DNA World Tour,” the group’s biggest arena tour in 18 years, fuelled by the global success of their #1 album. The tour witnessed the Backstreet Boys selling out arenas across North America, Europe, Asia, and South America.

Over the years, the Backstreet Boys have continued to captivate millions worldwide with their impressive catalogue of hit songs and creative collaborations. – TradeArabia News Service

 

 

Miscellaneous

Dubai named 'world’s cleanest city' for fifth year

Dubai has once again secured the top position globally for city cleanliness, according to the latest Global Power City Index (GPCI) report issued by the Institute for Urban Strategies at the Mori Memorial Foundation in Japan.
 
This prestigious recognition, achieved for the fifth year in a row, underscores Dubai's commitment to establishing itself as a benchmark for future cities, said a Wam news agency report.
 
The emirate continues to lead the way in sustainable urban development, reflecting its adherence to the highest international standards of living and environmental excellence.
 
Dubai outperformed more than 47 cities worldwide, achieving 100% satisfaction in the metric measuring city cleanliness under the environment pillar – one of the main criteria used to evaluate the global strength of cities.
 
This achievement reflects the dedicated efforts of Dubai Municipality, in collaboration with government and private sector partners, to implement integrated strategies and initiatives. These efforts align with the Dubai Integrated Waste Management Strategy 2041, which targets an 18% reduction in waste production and 100 percent diversion of waste from landfills by 2041.
 
Marwan bin Ghalita, Acting Director General of Dubai Municipality, said that Dubai’s consistent leadership in global rankings is driven by its ambitious vision to become the world’s best city to live and work. The city’s achievements across various fields embody the vision of the UAE leadership, which continues to inspire teams to strive for excellence, he said.
 
Bin Ghalita praised the efforts of Dubai Municipality’s cleanliness teams, consisting of more than 3,200 monitors, supervisors, and engineers, whose dedication has upheld the city’s impeccable standards for five consecutive years. He also acknowledged the vital role of public and private sector collaboration, along with the support of the wider community, in achieving this remarkable milestone.
 
Dubai Municipality manages a cutting-edge cleanliness and sustainability system, ensuring seamless operations 365 days a year. Supported by a fleet of 855 advanced vehicles, machinery, and equipment, this system reflects the emirate’s commitment to maintaining world-class standards.
 
The municipality also oversees a comprehensive range of daily cleaning programmes across diverse areas, including 2,400 km of main roads and highways, investment zones spanning 1,419 sq km, 33.4 km of water canals and creeks, as well as residential, industrial, and rural areas, markets, and waste storage facilities.
 
The programmes also oversee hazardous and medical waste treatment, provide community e-services such as household furniture disposal, and handle the removal of abandoned vehicles and equipment. E-systems are employed to monitor private sector vehicles engaged in waste collection and transportation.
 
Dubai Municipality integrates pioneering technologies to ensure the sustainability of natural resources, optimise energy consumption, and reduce carbon emissions. These initiatives include developing smart systems for waste collection, storage, and transport, and adopting electric vehicles for public cleaning operations.
 
Guided by its vision, ‘A Pioneering Municipality for a Global City’, Dubai Municipality remains committed to delivering outstanding municipal services. These efforts preserve Dubai’s civilised image, protect its environment, and enhance the sustainability of natural resources.
 
The Municipality also supports the creation of an environmentally friendly waste management system, positioning Dubai as the world’s most sustainable city while fostering the highest levels of quality of life and happiness for its residents, the report said.

Miscellaneous

Dubai’s creative sector makes 6.1pc of world economy: report

Dubai’s creative sector serves as a significant global economic force, representing 6.1% of the world’s economy with a total value of $4.3 trillion. 
 
This is according to a report titled ‘Creative Dubai: Navigating Tomorrow’s Creative Landscape’, unveiled by HH Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), a WAM report said. 
 
The report also shows that the UAE had the largest creative sector in the Mena region in 2021.
 
47,544 creative companies
According to the Dubai Framework for Cultural Statistics, and data issued by the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, Dubai’s cultural and creative industries generated AED21.96 billion ($5.98 billion) in added value in 2022, contributing 4.6% to the emirate’s GDP. The report reveals that 47,544 companies operate in Dubai’s creative sectors, providing jobs for 175,727 employees. 
 
In addition, Dubai attracted 898 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in the cultural and creative industries in 2023, increasing total capital inflows for FDI projects to AED11.8 billion. Additionally, the report reveals that Dubai is home to more than 40% of start-ups in the sector that have secured over $1 million worth of funding in the Mena region, with 306 based in the emirate.
 
The report, developed in collaboration with DinarStandard, a privately-owned growth strategy research and advisory firm empowering organisations for responsible global impact, highlights Dubai’s achievements in the cultural and creative industries, the key factors contributing to the city’s cultural vision, and significant data tracking the sector’s transformation. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of the creative sector’s performance and its diverse investment opportunities.
 
Sheikha Latifa said creativity is a powerful cultural, social, and economic force and a vital pillar in shaping the future of societies and cities. Highlighting its significant impact on advancing Dubai’s knowledge and innovation-driven economy, she said: “Through its extraordinary growth journey and visionary achievements, Dubai has established itself as a prominent global economic and cultural hub. Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai has become a magnet for talent and investors worldwide. Its dynamic economic system and ambitious initiatives combined with the boundless opportunities it offers creatives and entrepreneurs, Dubai has reinforced its leadership in the creative economy and its role in shaping the future of culture and art.”
 
Integrated ecosystem
Sheikha Latifa emphasised the strategic significance of the report, highlighting its comprehensive overview of the creative economy in the UAE, the Arab region, and worldwide, as well as its role in shaping the future of the local creative sector. “Dubai continues to advance its creative and cultural industries by embracing innovative solutions, developing advanced digital infrastructure, and fostering an environment that empowers and supports the cultural and creative sector. This involves developing an integrated ecosystem that supports the entire cultural and creative cycle, encompassing creation, production, dissemination, exhibition, reception, transmission, and culminating in consumption or participation. By offering the necessary resources and facilities for creative businesses, we encourage talent to establish their ventures here. This approach has strengthened Dubai’s global profile and leadership, transforming it into a thriving cultural hub, strongly aligned with our creative economy strategy.”
 
Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture, said Dubai has strengthened its status as a global hub for the cultural and creative industries thanks to its visionary leadership and attractive legislative and investment environment.
 
She said the Creative Dubai report reflects the performance and reality of Dubai’s cultural sector and its ability to shape a bright future, stating: “The report’s findings provide strong motivation for members of Dubai’s creative community, opening new horizons for them and inspiring innovation, as they continue their professional journeys and implement their unique ideas and projects, contributing to the strength of Dubai’s cultural and creative industries, aligned with Dubai Culture’s commitment to empowering talent and entrepreneurs.”
 
The report highlights how Dubai’s robust infrastructure, business-enabling support and vibrant cultural environment have significantly contributed to its global leadership. This enabled Dubai to win the bid to host the World Cities Culture Summit 2024 for the first time in the Mena region and the International Council of Museums (ICOM) General Conference 2025 for the first time in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. Furthermore, Dubai ranked first regionally and fourth globally in the Cultural Interaction parameter within the 2023 Global Power City Index for the second consecutive year.
 
Global innovation hub
The report also outlines the trends that will shape the sector in Dubai over the coming years. The emirate seeks to enhance its position as a global innovation hub by adopting cutting-edge solutions, supporting artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and blockchain technologies, balancing technological advancement with sustainable innovation while preserving cultural identity, attracting talent and fostering their engagement with the community.
 
The report provides a comprehensive set of recommendations to foster the growth of Dubai’s creative sector. It highlights key opportunity hotspots for investors, showcasing the most dynamic and rapidly expanding cultural and creative domains. The report also identifies relevant innovations, opportunity areas, and investment themes that leverage the UAE’s membership in BRICS to broaden the scope of creative collaborations and expand market potential.
 
A strong emphasis is placed on affordable technological solutions tailored to SMEs, including initiatives such as government-funded projects and public innovation labs. Additionally, the report advocates for the adoption of a hybrid business model that seamlessly integrates physical and digital operations. It underscores the importance of developing integrated curricula that build linkages between the creative industry and educational institutions, ensuring a sustainable talent pipeline and industry growth.
 
The creative sector's influence on Dubai is evident in its economy, global distinctiveness, and quality of life. Dubai stands out as a regional leader in the creative sector, fostering cultural enrichment, generating economic opportunities, and championing the conservation and restoration of natural ecosystems. Its innovative urban development and artistic aesthetics further enhance its appeal, solidifying its position as a hub for cultural tourism.--TradeArabia News Service