Khalifa University of Science and Technology today announced Professor Ebrahim Al Hajri, President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, presented the University’s achievements in climate action and sustainability in Davos on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026.

He also engaged with leaders of world universities, and global industry, laying out more adaptive academia-industry partnership strategy for the changing global economic environment.

Prof. Ebrahim’s presentation emphasized Khalifa University’s integrated approach to climate action, including advanced research, academic programming, and partnerships that support national priorities and global sustainability agendas.

The invitation to WEF 2026 Davos reflects Khalifa University’s growing international profile as a research-intensive institution addressing climate challenges through innovation, interdisciplinary scholarship, and global engagement.

At WEF 2026 Davos, Prof. Ebrahim met with Luming Li, President of Tsinghua University, Luis Vassy, President of Sciences Po Paris, Deborah Prentice, Vice-Chancellor (President), University of Cambridge, and Evelyn Wang, Vice President of MIT – member universities of the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate (GAUC), advancing partnerships with leaders of world university as well as global industry. The meeting included Eisaku Ito, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), and other representatives of global industry leaders.

Prof. Ebrahim is accompanied by Dr. Ashraf Al Najdawi, Vice-President, External Relations, & Chief of Staff, Khalifa University, and Professor Samuel Mao, Co-Chair, UAE Universities Climate Network, and Director, ASPIRE Research Institute of Sustainability.

Prof. Ebrahim said, “International collaboration is essential to deliver climate solutions at scale. In the spirit of the UAE’s global engagement, we are deepening partnerships with leading universities and organizations to co-develop technologies, share data, and build talent pipelines that amplify impact across regions. Khalifa University’s climate action is aligned with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative and the legacy of COP28. Our mission is to convert breakthrough research into real-world solutions that strengthen resilience, accelerate decarbonization, and contribute to the UAE’s vision for a sustainable, knowledge-based economy.”

The discussion in Davos included Khalifa University’s work across climate-relevant research and innovation areas, such as water, energy, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

Khalifa University’s climate research portfolio includes more than 350 issued patents and over 800 inventions disclosed with active projects and startups in collaboration with international academic and industry partnerships in more than 20 countries. Delivered across key research areas, the University’s work spans across its 14 research centers including the Research & Innovation Center for Graphene and 2D Materials (RIC2D), Advanced Research and Innovation Center (ARIC), 6G Research Center, Polar Research Center, and Environmental and Geophysical Sciences (ENGEOS) Lab.

WAM

Anticipation is building as the 37th Hero Dubai Desert Classic gets underway at Emirates Golf Club from 22nd to 25th January, marking the first Rolex Series event of the 2026 Race to Dubai season.

The tournament will feature one of its strongest fields to date, led by record four-time champion Rory McIlroy, who returns 20 years after making his debut at the event. McIlroy will be aiming for a historic fifth Dallah Trophy against a world-class line-up that includes defending champion Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, Viktor Hovland, Dustin Johnson, Nicolai Højgaard, Ryan Fox and Tom McKibbin.

Former world number one and European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald is also among the contenders, while UAE golfer Ahmad Skaik will compete as a professional for the first time, underlining the tournament’s support for regional talent.

Preparations at the Majlis Course are in their final stages, with Emirates Golf Club’s agronomy team working to deliver championship conditions befitting one of the world’s most prestigious tournaments. Officials said the course is in excellent condition following months of intensive preparation.

Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, said the collaboration between tournament organisers and course staff has ensured the event is ready to welcome players and fans for what promises to be a memorable edition.

Beyond the golf, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic offers a festival-style experience, with Tournament Town hosting family activities, live entertainment and expanded food and hospitality options throughout the week.

General admission is free on 22nd and 23rd January, with paid access on 24th and 25th January. The event continues to reinforce Dubai’s status as a leading global destination for world-class sporting events.

WAM

Armenia–Azerbaijan peace agreement

Afghan girls’ education advocate Zarqa Yaftali

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates / January 19, 2026—The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity announced today the honorees of the prize’s 2026 edition: the historic peace agreement between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Afghan girls’ education advocate Zarqa Yaftali – marking the first award recipients from the Caucasus and Afghanistan, respectively.

A landmark decision guided by visionary leadership toward ending decades of conflict and humanitarian suffering in the Caucasus, the Agreement on Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan is being honored as a process of peace, dialogue, normalization, and conflict resolution undertaken by the two states, which underscores that reconciliation is not a single act, but a sustained journey.

A woman of courage with a lifelong dedication to protecting the right to education for women and children, Ms. Zarqa Yaftali is being honored for providing educational resources, psychosocial support, and community-based services to over 100,000 people in Afghanistan and beyond – providing hope and knowledge to girls living in restrictive environments.

H.E. Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, called the award a “great honor” in recognition of the efforts undertaken to help establish peace in the Caucasus region, and a sincere acknowledgement of everyone who contributed to bringing this historic agreement to fruition.

H.E. Pashinyan expressed confidence that this recognition will have a tangible impact both within Armenia and beyond, and will contribute to strengthening trust between Armenia and Azerbaijan, emphasizing that this historic shared moment of recognition is of great significance and will support the path to peace.

He stressed that this achievement is not the result of an individual effort, but rather the outcome of collective work involving many inside and outside Armenia, adding that the essence of this achievement is due, first and foremost, to Armenia’s political team, government, parliament, and the society that supports the peace agreement. “That we [Armenia and Azerbaijan] are sharing this award reflects a mutual and collective achievement,” H.E. Pashinyan added.

H.E. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, expressed his appreciation for the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity’s recognition of the peace agreement and extended his gratitude to the 2026 award judging committee for honoring efforts to establish peace in the South Caucasus region and the world.

H.E. Aliyev noted that the recognition holds special significance as the award bears the name of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the United Arab Emirates, in addition to the support of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, head of the Catholic Church, and His Eminence Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, making the recognition by this global award a “double honor.”

For her part, Zarqa Yaftali said she felt “deeply excited and overwhelmed with emotion,” expressing sincere gratitude to the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity judging committee.

Ms. Yaftali said that being selected as a 2026 honoree represents “a powerful and meaningful message” for women in Afghanistan, bringing hope and encouragement to many Afghan women—especially students in online schools and young women enrolled in peace, security, and leadership courses.

The 2026 honorees were selected by an independent global judging committee composed of distinguished figures and experts in dialogue and coexistence, namely: former President of the European Council and former Prime Minister of Belgium His Excellency Charles Michel, former Chairperson of the African Union Commission and former Prime Minister of Chad His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Her Excellency Saida Mirziyoyeva, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education at the Holy See His Eminence Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, and Secretary-General of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam.

H.E. Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, judging committee member and Secretary-General of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, said: “This year, the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity committee selected the historic peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which embody the award’s mission and objectives in promoting and fostering a culture of dialogue and coexistence, marking a pivotal milestone in advancing global peace and a major diplomatic achievement – turning the page on nearly four decades of tension and conflict in the Caucasus and laying a strong foundation for a safer, shared future for both peoples.”

For her part, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said: “The committee was honored to recognize Ms. Zarqa Yaftali for her tireless efforts and leadership to protecting Afghan girls’ right to education and advancing women’s empowerment, despite facing tremendous challenges.”

H.E. Saida Mirziyoyeva affirmed that the announcement of the 2026 honorees embodies a global moral commitment to the principles of peace and human dignity. She emphasized that this recognition conveys a renewed message of hope to the international community and reaffirms the capacity of human fraternity to foster meaningful and enduring change.

The 2026 recipients will be honored on February 4, 2026 – coinciding with UN-recognized International Day of Human Fraternity – at the annual award ceremony, to be held at the Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, at 7 p.m. UAE time. The ceremony will be livestreamed on the award’s social media channels: Zayed Award for Human Fraternity – YouTube

Inspired by the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity by the late His Holiness Pope Francis, 266^th head of the Catholic Church, and His Eminence Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, in Abu Dhabi in 2019 and the humanitarian legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the United Arab Emirates, the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity recognizes individuals and organizations for outstanding contributions to building a more peaceful, harmonious, and compassionate world based on the values of human fraternity.

Since 2019, the award has honored 19 recipients from 19 countries:  His Holiness Pope Francis (honorary recipient); Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb (honorary recipient); UN Secretary-General António Guterres; French-Moroccan activist against extremism Latifa Ibn Ziaten; Their Majesties King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein and Queen Rania Al Abdullah of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; Haitian humanitarian organization the Foundation for Knowledge and Liberty (FOKAL); Italian organization the Community of Sant’Egidio; Kenyan peacebuilder Shamsa Abubakar Fadhil; Indonesian charitable organizations Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah; Egyptian world-renowned cardiac surgeon Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub; Chilean NGO founder Sister Nelly León Correa; Prime Minister of Barbados the Honorable Mia Amor Mottley; American food relief organization World Central Kitchen; and Ethiopian-American teenage health innovator Heman Bekele.

§