This year, Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company celebrates 50 years of helping the people and companies of the UAE identify, mitigate and manage risk.
The insurer’s journey has always closely tracked that of the UAE. With the country placing sustainable development and the transition to the green economy at the centre of its bold plans for the next half century, these have also become focal points for companies like Adnic looking to positively contribute to the UAE’s future.
Adnic chief executive Ahmad Idris says a key function of insurance is to support innovation and investment. “As a UAE-headquartered insurer, we have closely watched how the UAE’s sustainability journey has been shaped by these two forces over many decades,” Mr Idris says.
Mr Idris points to the creation of Masdar in 2006 as a pivotal moment that established a global leader in renewable energy. Further momentum has come from initiatives like Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, now approaching its 10th edition, and the country announcing the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative last year — making the UAE the first Middle East and North Africa nation to do so — supported by investment in renewable energy exceeding Dh600 billion ($163.3bn).
As new green infrastructure and clean energy projects break ground in the UAE to achieve net zero by 2050, Adnic says the country’s insurers will step in to provide cover and confidence at every stage, from planning through to delivery and ongoing operation.
“Given the size of its sustainability ambitions and the depth of its expertise across so many different areas, from science to finance, it also follows that the UAE is well placed to lead in the development and deployment of insurance products and business models designed to support sustainability goals,” Mr Idris says.
“It is a hugely significant area for the industry that will only grow in importance over the coming years, with the UAE well placed to serve as a key global hub.”
Embedding sustainability principles into their operations is another way the UAE’s insurers can contribute to the country’s ambitious net-zero goals, says Adnic. These principles have important implications for the way insurers mitigate risks, manage investments, operate their businesses, engage with stakeholders and deliver profitability over the long term. At Adnic, Mr Idris says, sustainability is an integral part of doing business and the company is committed to creating value for all and continuously reducing its impact on the environment.
Adnic’s ESG journey started quite some time ago. The company has invested in the holistic well-being and protection of its clients, employees and the community at large. With this in mind, Adnic launched many supportive measures and initiatives and continues to actively support local communities through philanthropic partnerships. For instance, the company has partnered with Emirates Nature-WWF to contribute to local conservation projects and help pave the way for the UAE to achieve its net-zero goals.
In efforts to reduce energy waste across offices, electricity usage, greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption decreased between 2019 and 2021. Last year, Adnic sent 10,000 kilograms of paper to be shredded, which was then sent to a recycling centre to be processed into recycled paper products. In an industry that is heavily reliant on paper documentation, Adnic is combating paper waste by digitalising its services and activities.
“The UAE’s insurers are primed and ready to rise to the challenge set by the country’s bold net-zero ambitions,” believes Mr Idris. Whether by de-risking innovation and green mega projects or by introducing new specialist sustainability insurance expertise and products into the market, he believes the sector will play an important role in the years to come.
Mr Idris concludes: “As we celebrate 50 years of operations, Adnic is also looking to the future and to working alongside its partners and customers to be part of enabling a greener, more sustainable future for all.”
Company%20profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
The%20specs
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Getting%20there
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Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
The%20specs
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APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
SPECS
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
The specs: 2018 Audi Q5/SQ5
Price, base: Dh183,900 / Dh249,000
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder / 3.0L, turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic / Eight-speed automatic
Power: 252hp @ 5,000rpm / 354hp @ 5,400rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,600rpm / 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy: combined 7.2L / 100km / 8.3L / 100km
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants