Day: June 7, 2023

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Kyrgyz, Kazakh presidents stress bilateral cooperation with Qatar

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and his Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Wednesday highlighted bilateral cooperation amid a visit by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani to Bishkek and Astana, respectively. ‘I am convinced that your visit will open a new page in Kyrgyz-Qatari fraternal relations based on mutual trust, and will give a great impetus to the further development of Kyrgyz-Qatari cooperation in various areas,’ Japarov said following narrow and expanded talks with Qatar’s emir in the capital Bishkek, a statement by the Kyrgyz presidency read. Noting that this year marks the 25th anniversary of Kyrgyz-Qatari relations, Japarov said Bishkek and Doha closely cooperate under the UN, as well as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other international organizations. The statement by the Kyrgyz presidency said the two leaders discussed current areas of bilateral cooperation, noting that Sheikh Tamim thanked Japarov for his warm hospitality. Sheikh Tamim expressed confidence that bilateral cooperation would expand through joint efforts following his visit to Kyrgyzstan, and that new opportunities will open up in the trade and economic sphere, as well as infrastructure, tourism, agriculture and other areas, the statement also said. It added that Sheikh Tamim emphasized his intention to raise cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Qatar to the level of a ‘comprehensive partnership.’ ‘The leaders of the countries confirmed they are ready to develop bilateral cooperation in all sectors and the practical implementation of joint investment projects,’ the statement concluded. Japarov and Sheikh Tamim later attended a ceremony where the Kyrgyz and Qatari delegations signed 13 agreements that aim to enhance cooperation between the two countries. Sheikh Tamim later travelled to the Kazakh capital Astana and met with Tokayev, who said their talks will give a ‘new impetus’ to the development of collaboration between the two countries, a statement by the Kazakh presidency read following their meeting. Tokayev further said Kazakhstan is ready to increase exports to Qatar of about 60 types of products for a total of $250 million, also indicating that in order to intensify business contacts, it is important to have direct flights between the two countries, the statement said. ‘During the meeting, the heads of state discussed with investors the prospects for the implementation of joint projects in the oil and gas, mining and metallurgical, agricultural industries, medicine and the financial sector. The issues of mutually beneficial cooperation through international organizations were also considered,’ it added. Sheikh Tamim is on a regional tour to Central Asia, where he previously visited Uzbekistan and is scheduled to visit Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, respectively.???????

Source: Anadolu Agency

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EC & UNDP launch Cyprus Digital Heritage website

The European Commission and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched on Tuesday the Cyprus Digital Heritage website (www.cyprusdigitalheritage.com). Funded by the EU through the Aid Programme, the new website aims to safeguard and showcase Cyprus’ cultural treasures, ensuring their longevity and making them accessible to all people of Cyprus, as well as to a global audience, a UNDP press release said. The website includes virtual tours featuring cultural heritage sites restored and conserved by the bicommunal Technical Committee of Cultural Heritage (TCCH). These sites hold significant cultural and historical value for Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, representing a bridge between their shared past and a foundation for building a common future. “Visitors can embark on a virtual journey through the magnificent historical landmarks of Cyprus, experiencing their grandeur and significance from the comfort of their own homes. Through these immersive virtual tours, users can explore monuments and archaeological wonders, gaining a deep appreciation for the historical and cultural legacy of Cyprus,” the press release said. The Cyprus Digital Heritage website also provides a user-friendly interface that allows visitors to navigate through a vast array of curated content. The platform features interactive maps, 3D reconstructions, and other multimedia elements, enhancing the virtual tour experience and enriching the exploration of Cyprus’s cultural treasures. Furthermore, the Cyprus Digital Heritage website serves as an invaluable resource for education, researchers, and cultural enthusiasts. Kjartan Björnsson, Deputy Director and Head of Unit for Cyprus Settlement Support at the Directorate-General Reform of the European Commission, highlighted the support of the European Commission in protecting and safeguarding the diversity of cultural heritage of Cyprus and in raising the public awareness of the role that heritage plays in peacebuilding. Speaking about the launch of the web site, Björnsson said that “the Cyprus Digital Heritage website presents an opportunity to stimulate dialogue, foster understanding and connect the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, thereby hopefully paving the way for the reunification of Cyprus.” Jakhongir Khaydarov, UNDP Cyprus Head of Office, expressed his appreciation for the project’s bi-communal nature and its potential for confidence-building, stating, “the launch of the Cyprus Digital Heritage website, featuring TCCH sites, represents a remarkable collaboration between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.’ He said by promoting dialogue, understanding, and pride in the shared heritage, ‘this initiative contributes to building trust and fostering a sense of unity among Cypriots.” The website is in line with the European Commission’s recommendations on digitalisation of cultural heritage, contributing to the objectives of Europe’s Digital Decade, and with UNDP’s commitment to sustainable development and cultural preservation. According to the press release, since 2012, over 123 cultural heritage sites island-wide have been conserved, structurally supported, physically protected or restored by TCCH and UNDP with the financial support from the European Union amounting to almost pound 25 million. Overall, the TCCH has received pound 35.6 million from several donors to implement its priorities for the preservation of the island-wide cultural heritage of Cyprus.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

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PRESS RELEASE – BW – Falcon 40B: World’s Top AI Model Rewards Most Creative Use Cases

Falcon 40B: World’s Top AI Model Rewards Most Creative Use Cases in Call for Proposals with Training Compute Power Demand Surges from Scientists, Researchers, SME Entrepreneurs ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Falcon 40B, the world’s top-ranked open-source AI model on the Hugging Face leaderboard for large language models (LLMs), is registering an overwhelming response to a Call for Proposals from scientists, researchers, and SME entrepreneurs keen to deploy the model for innovative use cases. The response follows back-to-back announcements from the AI model’s creator, Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute (TII), offering the most exceptional project ideas access to training compute power as a form of investment. Compute power enables developers to tackle more complex and resource-intensive use cases with increased efficiency, productivity, and performance. By being able to experiment with the capabilities of Falcon 40B, the best open-source LLM globally, developers can venture into uncharted territories, driving innovation and expanding the possibilities of AI solutions – at speed. Submissions are being welcomed from all over the world, and across all industries and sectors to find the very best application concepts. Examples of industries include biotech, engineering, enterprise solutions, customer services, finance, and healthcare. In healthcare, for instance, LLM applications could help doctors by analyzing medical literature, patient records, and research findings to provide evidence-based recommendations. This could enable medical practitioners to make informed decisions and improve patient care based on the latest knowledge and insights. ‘We strongly encourage scientists, researchers, and aspiring entrepreneurs with bold ideas to submit their proposals for Falcon 40B deployment,’ said H.E. Faisal Al Bannai Secretary General of TII’s parent entity, the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC). ‘We’re excited to invest in the most impactful proposals with compute power through VentureOne, ATRC’s commercialization arm, and to potentially partner with the most promising developers.’ ‘Every proposal that comes our way is subjected to a thorough and meticulous assessment by TII’s dedicated AI Cross-Center Unit (AICCU),’ said Dr. Ebtesam Almazrouei, Acting Chief Researcher at AICCU. ‘Our team of over 40 exceptional AI scientists is poised to examine each proposal, seeking developers with exceptional intellect and ingenuity. Our paramount goal is to propel the frontiers of AI advancements, leveraging its full potential to bring about profound societal improvements.’ Interested users should submit a proposal outlining their research objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and the potential impact of their project. The proposal should highlight how Falcon 40B will be utilized and the specific domain it targets. In addition, applicants should include a timeline and a compute budget estimate, as well as any relevant expertise or previous work that supports their proposal. If you are interested in entering the Call for Proposals, we invite you to visit FalconLLM.TII.ae. For more information, visit www.tii.ae Source: AETOSWire View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230607005466/en/ Contacts For media inquiries, please contact: Jennifer Dewan, Senior Director of Communications jennifer.dewan@tii.ae. Source: The Technology Innovation Institute This material is not a CNA editorial material and CNA shall not bear responsibility for the accuracy of its content. In case you have any questions about the content, kindly refer to the contact person mentioned in the text of the press release.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

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FM in Saudi Arabia on working visit

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Constantinos ?ombos, is paying Saudi Arabia a working visit June 6-8. On Tuesday he met in Jeddah, with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, a Foreign Affairs Ministry press release said on Wednesday. They discussed bilateral cooperation and agreed that there is a growing dynamic in the ties between the two countries. They also exchanged views on current regional and international issues, as well as on EU-Saudi Arabia relations. ?ombos travels to Riyadh today where tomorrow is set to participate in the ministerial meeting of the International Coalition against Daesh/ISIS, co-hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Secretary of State of the United States. Participants will coordinate the international efforts to fight terrorism. On the margins of the works of the meeting, Cyprus Minister will have contacts with his counterparts, during which he will have the opportunity to exchange views in relation to the perspectives of cooperation in the wider region. CNA/KCH/EPH/2023 S, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Source: Cyprus News Agency

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UN top diplomat in Cyprus makes efforts to bring leaders together

UN Secretary – General’s Special Representative in Cyprus, Colin Stewart, has been trying to bring together Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, and Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, however this has not been made possible for the moment. The Cyprus News Agency (CNA) has learnt that the reason for this is that Tatar has not, for the time being at least, responded positively to the possibility of attending an event or paying a joint visit with Christodoulides. According to sources, one of the UN top diplomat’s in Cyprus recent efforts has been to bring the leaders together in the framework of a joint visit to the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP). Christodoulides and Tatar had an informal meeting in late February, before the former assumed his duties officially as President of the Republic. Christodoulides had then extended an invitation to Tatar for a social meeting, however the Turkish Cypriot leader does not seem for the time being to be willing to have a tête-à-tête meeting with Christodoulides. Meanwhile, Stewart is expected to have separate meetings with the two leaders before departing for New York in July, to inform the UN Security Council about developments related to the Cyprus problem. In the beginning of July, the UNSG Antonio Guterres’ draft reports on his good offices mission in Cyprus and the UN peacekeeping force on the island (UNFICYP) are expected to be distributed to the UNSC members, with a view to hold a discussion on them so that they will be finalised, endorsed and published. However, no resolution for the renewal of UNFICYP’s mandate will be adopted since this will now take place only once a year and the force’s current mandate is valid until January 31st 2024, according to the Security Council’s resolution that was adopted on January 30, 2023. Based on the practice that is followed each side will submit a document to the UN with its positions, that will be attached to the Secretary General’s reports to the Security Council. Meanwhile, Greek Cypriot negotiator, Menelaos Menelaou, and Turkish Cypriot leader’s Special Representative, Ergn Olgun, continue their regular meetings, in Stewart’s presence, to discuss issues related to the bicommunal Technical Committees, as well as to generally review the situation and prospects ahead as regards the Cyprus problem. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively. CNA/MK/EPH/2023 S, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Source: Cyprus News Agency