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Applications Are Open For The 2025 WiSER Pioneers Program
The initiative offers women professionals from around the globe the chance to join a 1-year program focused on sustainability and leadership.
The Women in Sustainability, Environment, and Renewable Energy (WiSER) initiative, created by Masdar and the Zayed Sustainability Prize, has officially opened applications for its 2025 WiSER Pioneers Program.
Focused on empowering women to lead the global shift toward a net-zero future, the WiSER Pioneers Program provides participants with the skills and knowledge required to drive impactful change.
Originally launched in 2018, the year-long program offers women from around the world access to specialized educational workshops and global networking opportunities with industry experts, aiming to help them achieve their untapped potential. Since its inception, over 130 women from more than 30 countries have successfully completed WiSER Pioneers.
Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Program Director of WiSER, said: “The Pioneers Program is a cornerstone of WiSER’s enduring commitment to empowering young women with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to lead the charge toward a sustainable future. Since its inception in October 2018, the Pioneers Program has been equipping participants to become bold leaders in the global energy transition and creating a supportive community of talented sustainability professionals”.
The program is open to women between the ages of 25 and 35 who have at least two years of work experience and hold a degree in a field related to the environment, energy, sustainability, or STEM disciplines. Applicants must be currently employed or self-employed.
The WiSER Pioneers Program is designed to offer a broad range of activities aimed at building skills, advancing careers, and fostering connections. Key components of the course include tailored workshops and training sessions that focus on sustainability, clean energy, and leadership development.
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Participants in the program also get to engage in the annual WiSER Cares initiative, which focuses on community development through cultural exchange. For example, in 2024, 18 participants took part in a five-day program on adaptive agriculture in Marrakesh, Morocco.
In addition, WiSER is an active participant in major global sustainability events such as Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) and the COP conferences. These events offer participants valuable opportunities to learn, contribute to critical discussions, and network with global industry leaders, policymakers, and sustainability professionals.
To apply for a place on the WiSER Pioneers Program, head to the website.
News
Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
The payment service provider’s expansion is a first-of-its-kind investment and could reshape digital transactions across the region.
Checkout.com is laying the groundwork to become the first global payments platform to introduce card issuing in the United Arab Emirates — a move that could reshape how businesses in the region manage financial transactions.
The company plans to roll out its domestic card issuance offering in the UAE by 2026, subject to regulatory approval. The launch would give businesses the tools to issue both physical and virtual branded cards. This, in turn, opens up new ways to reward customers, streamline expense processes, and handle B2B payouts efficiently.
Checkout.com’s CEO and Founder, Guillaume Pousaz, revealed the plans during Thrive Abu Dhabi, the firm’s debut conference in the Emirates. Joined on stage by Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA, Pousaz presented to an audience of over 150 partners and merchants at Saadiyat Island. Also in attendance was H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
Abbondandolo highlighted the strategic importance of the announcement: “As a global business, we focus on bringing products to markets that our customers want and need. Today’s announcement is proof of our commitment to the MENA region and its rising influence in the digital economy. The appetite for innovation here is real, and we’re proud to be building the infrastructure that powers it”.
One early adopter of Checkout.com’s UAE acquiring services is Headout, a travel experiences marketplace, which recently named the payment provider as its main partner in Europe. The company has already begun card issuing there and is keen to expand that offering into MENA once approval is granted.
The expansion of services in the UAE and beyond builds on Checkout.com’s track record in the region. It was the first global payments firm to secure a Retail Payment Services license from the UAE’s Central Bank and was instrumental in rolling out Mada and Apple Pay in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
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The firm has also been rolling out new products: One of the latest is Flow Remember Me, currently in beta testing. It allows shoppers to store their card information once and access it across Checkout.com’s entire network, potentially cutting checkout times by up to 70%.
Earlier this year, Checkout.com also introduced Visa Direct’s Push-to-Card solution in the UAE, enabling both domestic and international payouts. Its collaboration with Mastercard has grown as well, making it easier for businesses to send funds directly to third-party cards securely and quickly.
With regional tech ambitions on the rise — spurred by initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s 2031 Agenda — Checkout.com sees its role as one of a key enabler. “Our mission is to help ambitious businesses navigate the complexity of payments, so they can move faster, go further, and make the most of every opportunity,” said Abbondandolo. “In MENA, performance is personal. It’s local. It’s built on trust. And when payments perform, businesses thrive”.
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