The number of Standard Container handling by Abu Dhabi Ports has increased last year by 24 per cent, to reach 1.74 million containers, compared to 1.4 million in 2017, according to the latest statistics. The statistics reflect the company’s commitment to achieving economic diversification in Abu Dhabi, through the development of non-oil sectors and the use of innovation in its operations. The amount of general and bulk goods handled by Abu Dhabi Ports in 2018 also increased by 5.9 per cent, totalling 19.7 million metric tonnes, compared to 18.6 million metric tonnes in 2017. The turnover of goods transported by vehicles increased by 4.2 per cent to reach 143,000 vehicles, compared to 137,000 vehicles in 2017.

The Abu Dhabi's nominal Gross Domestic Product amounted to AED692.8 billion in the first nine months of 2018, 14 percent up from AED608 billion during the corresponding period of 2017, according to the Statistics Centre- Abu Dhabi (SCAD). Driven by an economic upturn across oil and non-oil sectors alike, the nine-month GDP accounts for 83.3 percent of the emirate's total GDP for 2017 which stood at circa AED833 billion. The GDP's oil value-added differentiators rose to about AED280 billion during the first nine months 2018, a growth of 33.3 percent from AED210.2 billion during the same period 2017.

An exhibition organised by the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), in coordination with the Federal National Council (FNC) opened yesterday in Brussels to promote UAE’s humanitarian and developmental efforts and aid to various world countries, which stands at US$32.01 billion from 2013 through 2017, from which millions of refugees and displaced people around the world benefitted, including10 million Yemenis. Titled, "From Humanitarian Aid to Stability," the three-day exhibition aims to disseminate more knowledge about UAE’s values and principles premised on providing aid without discrimination on the basis of religion, colour or race.

Dr. Abdullah Ahmed Al Mandoos, Director of the National Centre for Meteorology, NCM, has highlighted the UAE’s keenness to discover ways of ensuring the security of its water resources, which is a challenge faced by many countries. United Nations reports, he said, predict that nearly half of the world’s population will face significant levels of water scarcity by 2030. Al Mandoos said, "The UAE, thanks to its wise leadership, has realised since the 1990s, that our country - one of the most water scarce countries around the world - can benefit from the potential of rain enhancement research. However, the Ministry of Presidential Affairs has begun collaborating with leading research institutes around the world to explore ways to ensure water security.

H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation and Chairman of the Higher Local Organising Committee of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, has welcomed the delegations and national teams taking part in the event to the host nation, the UAE. "The UAE's leadership and people welcome you all to the land of the Emirates, land of Zayed, land of tolerance, amity and peace," he said in a statement today.