Latest news with #NationalCommittee
Zawya
13-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
The UAE participates in the High-Level Political Forum in New York
National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals convenes high-level meeting discussing UAE delegation's participation ahead of UN summit UAE – Dubai, 13 July, 2025 - The United Arab Emirates delegation will participate in the upcoming 2025 United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, organized by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) at UN Headquarters in New York. The delegation will showcase the UAE's comprehensive development model, reaffirming its commitment to accelerate progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through multinational partnerships. The UAE delegation will focus on five priority goals: Goal 3 – ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages; Goal 5 – achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls; Goal 8 – promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, productive employment, and decent opportunities for all; Goal 14 – conserving and sustainably using oceans, seas, and marine resources; and Goal 17 – strengthening global partnerships for sustainable development. The UAE delegation includes members from the UAE's National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Investment, The Government Experience Exchange Programme, Dubai Chamber of Commerce, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, and Noor Dubai Foundation (under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives), in coordination with the UAE's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. His Excellency Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange and Chair of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, reaffirmed that UAE's participation reflects its international commitment to advancing the 2030 SDGs in innovation, technology, and smart governance. He emphasized the importance of expanding global partnerships in knowledge and development exchange. On the sidelines of HLPF, the UAE delegation is organizing a focused global retreat to discuss current challenges and explore future opportunities and a dedicated exhibition showcasing the UAE's progress and achievements in accelerating the implementation of the SDGs both locally and globally. In addition, the delegation will highlight initiatives in clean energy, digital transformation, education, and healthcare. As part of the preparations for the UAE's participation, the National Committee on the SDGs held an extensive meeting to assess the readiness of the delegation and review progress on the implementation of the SDGs. The meeting explored opportunities to expand international cooperation and sign new agreements during the Forum. Held under the 'Reinforcing sustainable, inclusive, and evidence-based solutions to deliver the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, leaving no one behind', the 2025 forum will run from 14 to 23 July 2025 with a total of 37 countries presenting their voluntary national reviews on the progress made toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals to date.
Forbes
09-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Israel's Evolution: From Startup Nation To Crypto Nation
Israel's National Committee for Crypto Strategy. In a landmark event at the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, titled "A Crypto Strategy for Israel - A Growth Engine for the Israeli Economy," members of parliament, regulators, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders gathered to unveil the final report of Israel's National Committee for Crypto Strategy. After months of intensive work, the committee presented a roadmap aiming to transform Israel into a global crypto powerhouse — but only if the government acts swiftly. The event highlighted both the opportunities and the challenges facing Israel's crypto sector. While the country has strong technological foundations and entrepreneurial talent, regulatory uncertainty has stalled progress and driven companies abroad. The new strategy aims to address these gaps with clearer rules, better coordination, and stronger support for innovation. The debate now centers on how quickly lawmakers can turn these recommendations into action - and whether Israel can seize this moment to shape its role in the global digital economy. Can Israel Become A Crypto Nation? The committee's report warns that while other countries such as the United States, Singapore and Dubai are moving ahead with proactive crypto policies, Israel is suffering from brain drain and a flight of entrepreneurs due to regulatory uncertainty. According to the report, if adopted, the crypto sector could contribute up to $120 billion to Israel's GDP over the next decade. "If we act now and provide certainty to the industry, we can position Israel as a world leader in crypto," said Arik Pinto, former CEO of Bank Hapoalim and chairman of the committee. Knesset member Oded Forer (Yisrael Beitenu) went further, stating: "We will adopt the committee's recommendations as part of the coalition demands for the next government." MK Vladimir Beliak (Yesh Atid) echoed this, emphasizing the urgency: "Israel must adopt the public committee's report to unlock this opportunity." Israel currently hosts around 160 crypto and blockchain companies, employing over 3,300 skilled workers and raising more than $4.25 billion to date. Despite this, the sector has faced significant challenges: in 2024 alone, the number of active companies dropped by 7.5%, and the workforce shrank by 12% - clear signs of a contracting industry. Left to right: Arik Pinto, Nir Hirshman, MK Oded Forer, MK Vladimir Beliak and MK Dan Illouz. The Committee's Blueprint For Crypto Nation The committee outlined a strategic framework based on five core pillars: The committee called on the government to adopt a smart, consolidated regulatory approach to grant entrepreneurs stability and encourage innovation. It also recommended building a national blockchain infrastructure to enable transparent governance and secure data flows. The Deputy Chair of the Committee, Nir Hirshman, CEO of the Crypto Companies Forum and the initiator of the public committee to promote a crypto strategy for Israel, said: 'Today we presented in-depth work that can serve as the foundation for a national crypto strategy for Israel. We have an extraordinary opportunity. The talent is here, the entrepreneurs are here. The call by Members of Knesset Beliak, Forer, and Illouz for the government to adopt the committee's recommendations and advance the development of a national crypto strategy is the right course of action. This is how it worked in Europe, this is how it's working in the U.S. This is the direction we need to take, and it's how we can position Israel as a crypto powerhouse and turn crypto into a major growth engine for Israel's economy'. Lawmakers Voice Support Opposition Finance Committee chair MK Vladimir Beliak called the conference a "milestone in the dialogue between technological innovation and regulation," urging legislative action to remove roadblocks and make crypto a real economic engine. MK Dan Illouz (Likud) stressed that 'technologies like crypto are not a passing fad - they are the foundation of the global financial future, and Israel must not miss the train". MK Oded Forer noted that Israel's future hinges on proactive policy: "The question is not if but when. Israel can and must be the engine of the crypto industry rather than a trailing wagon." The Deputy Chair of the Committee, Nir Hirshman, CEO of the Crypto Companies Forum, speaking in the ... More Knesset. Industry Leaders Weigh In Youval Rouach, co-founder and CEO of Bits Of Gold, underlined the banking bottleneck as the primary obstacle, stating, 'If we solve this, we solve 90% of the industry's problems'. Lior Lamesh, co-founder and CEO of GK8 (acquired by Galaxy), pointed out that Israel possesses world-class digital asset custody technology already relied upon by global giants, but regulation lags behind. Prof. Eli Ben-Sasson, co-founder and CEO of StarkWare, urged immediate action to retain Israel's global leadership in cryptographic research, while Prof. Benny Pinkas (Bar-Ilan University and formerly Cryptographer at Aptos) called for leveraging Israel's unique cryptographic talent to build local jobs instead of exporting value abroad. Israel's Road Ahead The crypto debate in Israel is ultimately a test of the country's ability to adapt and lead in an era defined by rapid technological disruption. In the past, Israel has shown time and again that it can transform big ideas into global industries - from cybersecurity to autonomous vehicles to medical innovation. Yet crypto presents an even more complex challenge: it sits at the intersection of finance, technology, policy, and national security. Seizing this opportunity means more than passing new laws or tweaking tax codes. It requires cultivating a mindset that welcomes experimentation and is willing to take calculated risks. It demands a commitment from policymakers to understand the nuances of decentralized technologies and to engage directly with entrepreneurs rather than treat them as adversaries. It also means investing in education and workforce development so that the next generation of Israeli talent is equipped to thrive in a decentralized digital economy. If Israel can rise to meet this moment, it has the potential to not just participate in the global crypto landscape, but to shape its rules, standards, and innovations. On the other hand, hesitation or half-measures will send a clear signal to founders and investors that Israel is content to watch from the sidelines. At its core, the path forward is about reaffirming Israel's identity as a fearless innovator - a nation that doesn't wait for the future to arrive but actively builds it. The decision is no longer whether to engage, but how boldly and how fast.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Social Security sends incorrect email saying ‘Big Beautiful Bill' ends taxes on benefits—here's what is actually changing
The Social Security Administration sent a misleading email to benefit recipients and other Americans last week about the Republican budget bill that was recently signed into law by President Donald Trump. Advocates are now trying to correct the record to ensure beneficiaries know how the legislation could affect their tax bill. On July 3, Social Security sent an email and posted a press release saying that 'the new law includes a provision that eliminates federal income taxes on Social Security benefits for most beneficiaries.' It also says 'nearly 90%' of beneficiaries will no longer pay federal income taxes on the benefit. While eliminating taxes on Social Security had been proposed by Republican politicians, that provision was ultimately taken out of the version of the so-called 'One Big Beautiful Bill' that became law because it violated Senate rules. Instead, the law allows Americans aged 65 or older to take an additional $6,000 income tax deduction. Notably, this does not include beneficiaries who are aged 62 to 64. The agency updated the press release Monday to note the deduction after outcry and media coverage. The difference could confuse beneficiaries, according to National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, a non-profit advocating to preserve and strengthen Social Security and Medicare. The group also notes that the political messaging behind the email—it heralds the 'landmark' legislation—is 'unprecedented' for the SSA, which is supposed to be a neutral agency managing the benefits of some 73 million Americans. SSA did not immediately respond to Fortune's request for comment. Trump made a point of promising to end taxation on Social Security benefits on the campaign trail. As Republican politicians worked to put their budget bill together, many promised to include the provision. But in order to pass the legislation using a process called reconciliation, it was determined that the GOP could not include a provision on Social Security taxes. Instead, they substituted in the higher deduction for older Americans. The legislation signed into law last week does, however, include a provision that allows Americans aged 65 and older to deduct an additional $6,000 on their federal income taxes, in addition to the standard deduction, which is already bigger for seniors than it is for younger Americans. Those who itemize also qualify for it. For married couples, both spouses can take the deduction if they are both over 65, for a total of $12,000 extra. Like other provisions in the bill, it is time limited: It is in effect only for the 2025 to 2028 tax seasons. It also applies to those earning a modified adjusted gross income up to $75,000, or double that for married couples. It then begins to phase out for incomes above that threshold, and is not available to individuals earning $175,000, or couples earning $250,000. According to the White House, this provision will increase the share of seniors receiving Social Security who will not pay income tax on their benefits from 64% to 88%. The poorest seniors won't benefit from the break, because they already do not pay Social Security taxes (the White House's own analysis notes 64% already do not)—nor the richest, given the income phaseout. Instead, it is upper-middle class seniors who stand to benefit for the next few years. Those with incomes below $63,300 pay about 1% or less of their benefits, on average, in taxes, according to the non-partisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Additionally, this portion of the bill actually hastens the program's insolvency, a concern for many Americans, because the taxes seniors pay on the benefits go back into the Social Security and Medicare trust funds for future generations. In fact, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB) estimates the provision would bring the trust fund to insolvency one year sooner than current calculations. Once that happens, Social Security beneficiaries would face an across-the-board benefit cut of around 24%, CRFB says. Other provisions in the bill are also expected to disproportionately affect older Americans. For example, it changes eligibility for and cuts federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) starting in 2027, which 11 million adults aged 50 and older rely on, according to AARP. New work requirements on Medicaid could also prevent some older Americans from receiving benefits. Social Security has become a lightening rod for controversy since Trump's inauguration in January. The agency was an early target of the administration's so-called Department of Government Efficiency under Elon Musk, which has worried advocates who say it is becoming overly-politicized. This story was originally featured on
Times of Oman
30-06-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
National Committee for Emergency Management meets
Muscat: The National Committee for Emergency Management (NCEM) held its first meeting of the year today at the Police General Command under the chairmanship of Hassan Mohsen Al Shuraiqi, Inspector General of Police and Customs and Chairman of the NCEM. The meeting reviewed national efforts in emergency management, the level of coordination among all relevant sectors, and measures to enhance emergency response procedures. During the meeting, the electronic emergency management system platform was launched. The platform aims to improve and streamline the National Committee's work in managing and exchanging information and data related to handling emergencies across various stages, including monitoring, early warning, preparedness, and response. The electronic system will link all sectors of the Emergency Management Committee, subcommittees in the governorates, operation centers, and relevant entities involved in emergency management. The Inspector General of Police and Customs, stressed the importance of continuous training and preparedness, emphasizing the community's role in enhancing prevention and reducing risks. He also lauded the efforts of the National Committee, subcommittees, and relevant sectors in their roles in managing emergencies.
Al Etihad
26-06-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
NAMLCFTC, Arab Youth Centre sign MoU to empower young talent across Arab world
26 June 2025 18:41 ABU DHABI (WAM)The General Secretariat of the National Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Illegal Organisations Committee (NAMLCFTC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Arab Youth signing took place in the presence of Dr. Sultan Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth agreement seeks to enhance youth awareness of the economic security and financial compliance sectors, while shedding light on the challenges associated with financial crimes both locally and also aims to open new horizons for Arab youth by offering real career and development pathways that enable them to actively contribute to protecting their economies and strengthening integrity and transparency partnership reflects the UAE's vision of investing in young minds and building national and Arab capabilities capable of leading financial security efforts and delivering lasting impact across the this occasion, Hamid Al Zaabi, Secretary-General and Vice Chair of the National Committee, and Vice President of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF), emphasised the importance of the partnership, stating, "This partnership marks a pivotal step in our commitment to building a sustainable framework that is Arab in identity and global in standards—one that protects the economy and strengthens community security by engaging Arab youth."He added, "This MoU is not merely a framework for cooperation; it is a flexible platform for exchanging opportunities and empowering youth to gain the skills and experience needed to make a real impact in this vital field. We firmly believe that investing in youth potential is an investment in a secure and sustainable future for the region."For his part, Sadeq Jarrar, Executive Director of the Arab Youth Center, commented, "Empowering youth in critical and future-oriented sectors lies at the heart of our mission at the Arab Youth Center. We believe that investing in young people is the cornerstone of building a brighter future. This partnership with the National Committee reflects our commitment to advancing youth engagement in areas of national priority across Arab countries. Through knowledge-building and skills development, we aim to enable youth to contribute meaningfully to their financial well-being, their communities, and their economies. In doing so, we draw inspiration from the advanced practices and international expertise developed in the United Arab Emirates." This collaboration is based on four key pillars: developing youth capabilities through training and professional development, offering practical secondment opportunities, supporting mentorship and career guidance, and enhancing community awareness through events and media campaigns. Together, these efforts aim to empower youth to become active partners in building a robust and sustainable financial security system.
