Day: January 29, 2026

Dubai , January 29 , 2026 : His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), and His Excellency Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, honoured leading delivery companies and outstanding delivery bike riders during the second edition of the Delivery Sector Excellence Award.

The ceremony, held at the Dubai Police Officers Club, recognised excellence across the delivery sector and marked the first award of its kind in the region dedicated to acknowledging delivery riders. The initiative was launched following an analytical study of driver behaviour during delivery operations, with the aim of raising service quality standards while promoting adherence to traffic laws, occupational safety requirements and professional conduct.

The list of honourees spanned several award categories, including companies, riders, partners and the Best Strategic Partner. ELITE Zone Delivery Services secured first place in the Best Delivery Company category, followed by ZONE Delivery Services in second place and ZAJEL Logistics Services in third.

In the Best Delivery Company via Platforms and Smart Applications category, DB L.L.C – Delivery Hero (Talabat) claimed first place, with CAREEM Delivery Services finishing second and Motoboy Delivery Services taking third.

The ceremony also recognised the top 200 professional delivery riders, doubling the number of awardees compared to the first edition. Honourees included 50 riders in the Gold category, 60 in Silver and 90 in Bronze, with rewards increased in line with the level of excellence achieved.

A new category introduced this year, Best Partner Award, was won by Majid Al Futtaim Group in recognition of its support for the delivery sector and its contribution to achieving RTA’s strategic objectives. The Group was recognised for initiatives enhancing riders’ quality of life, including the provision and maintenance of water dispensers at several RTA-operated rider rest areas.

Commitment to Safety and Sustainability

Commenting on the event, Al Tayer said the Delivery Sector Excellence Award serves as a key regulatory tool adopted by RTA to embed safety, quality and sustainability standards across one of Dubai’s fastest-growing sectors.

“The delivery sector has become a core pillar of Dubai’s commercial and logistics transport ecosystem, requiring advanced governance that balances service efficiency, protects lives and improves quality of life,” he said.

He added that RTA, in collaboration with strategic partners such as Dubai Police, continues to develop a regulated and safe operating environment through flexible legislation, clear professional standards and incentive programmes that encourage compliance and reward excellence.

Al Tayer praised the commitment demonstrated by the honoured companies and riders, noting that investing in occupational safety and rider empowerment directly supports the sustainability of the sector and strengthens Dubai’s position as a global leader in smart and integrated transport systems.

Focus on Traffic Safety

Lieutenant General Al Marri reaffirmed that traffic safety remains a strategic priority for Dubai Police and aligns with the Dubai Road Safety Strategy, which seeks to reduce traffic incidents, injuries and fatalities across the emirate.

He noted that the rapid growth of the delivery sector requires operating models that enhance compliance, oversight and awareness. “Recognising outstanding performers reflects Dubai Police’s approach to encouraging responsible traffic behaviour and strengthening institutional partnerships to create a safe and sustainable transport environment,” he said.

Al Marri added that Dubai Police continues to work closely with RTA to implement high-impact initiatives, deploy smart systems, and roll out targeted awareness and training campaigns for delivery bike riders to ensure their safety and that of all road users.

Increased Participation and Transparent Evaluation

The second edition of the Award recorded a 20 per cent increase in participation compared to the inaugural edition. A clear and transparent evaluation mechanism was implemented, with assessments conducted by RTA specialists in collaboration with Dubai Police.

The event, attended by senior officials and delivery company owners, featured a presentation highlighting the Award’s objectives, judging process and committees. Committee members and subcommittee teams were also recognised during the ceremony.

Winners were selected based on strict criteria, including compliance with safety, quality, health and environmental standards, adherence to RTA requirements, application of global best practices, use of modern technologies, continuous training, and customer satisfaction. Criteria for selecting the Best Rider included a clean record free of complaints, violations and accidents, alongside performance evaluations.

Sharjah, January 29, 2026 : Workshops on the opening day of the Xposure International Photography Festival 2026 drew strong participation, with audiences engaging throughout a full programme of practical, skills-led sessions. Nine workshops were delivered across the dedicated Zone 11, running from morning through to evening, underscoring the festival’s emphasis on learning, experimentation, and professional development.
Among the day’s early highlights were two interactive sessions led by Peter Chanthanakone,
Canadian animator and Assistant Dean at Zayed University, Dubai. Titled Synthesised Dreams:
Redefining Animation through AI, the workshops introduced participants to the fundamentals of
AI-assisted image creation, character design, and basic animation. Working step by step,
attendees, including a strong contingent from the University of Sharjah, explored emerging
generative tools with a focus on practical application and creative workflow.
Another well-attended workshop given by the Emirates Photography Society, Portrait
Photography: Light and Shadow, examined how light, emotion, and composition combine to
create compelling portraits. Designed for beginners and photography enthusiasts, the hands-on
workshop demonstrated how both professional cameras and smartphones can be used
effectively with simple lighting setups. Participants took part in live demonstrations and guided
shooting exercises, with volunteer models and aspiring photographers rotating through setups
as lighting techniques were tested in real time.
The programme also addressed long-term creative practice through How to Develop a
Photography Book in 2026, led by Paris-based publisher and photography expert Gilles
Cargueray. The session offered a practical overview of transforming a photographic project into

a coherent publication, covering sequencing, design, production, and current commercial
considerations. Cargueray outlined the differences between working with publishers and self-
publishing, alongside guidance on proposals, funding, distribution, and professional
collaboration.
Drawing on more than four decades of experience supporting photographers and visual brands,
Cargueray shared case studies from completed projects and discussions with prospective
artists, offering insight into both creative decision-making and logistical challenges.
Delivered in both Arabic and English, the opening-day workshops concluded with open
discussions and the presentation of completion certificates. The sessions received strong
interest and positive feedback, reinforcing Xposure’s role as a platform where learning, practice,
and creative exchange are central to the festival experience.
The 10th edition of the Xposure International Photography Festival, held under the theme “A
Decade of Visual Storytelling”, runs from 29 January to 4 February 2026 at Aljada, Sharjah,
United Arab Emirates. Festival, running until February 4 in Aljada, Sharjah
For immediate release
Sharjah, January 29, 2026
Workshops on the opening day of the Xposure International Photography Festival 2026 drew
strong participation, with audiences engaging throughout a full programme of practical, skills-led
sessions. Nine workshops were delivered across the dedicated Zone 11, running from morning
through to evening, underscoring the festival’s emphasis on learning, experimentation, and
professional development.
Among the day’s early highlights were two interactive sessions led by Peter Chanthanakone,
Canadian animator and Assistant Dean at Zayed University, Dubai. Titled Synthesised Dreams:
Redefining Animation through AI, the workshops introduced participants to the fundamentals of
AI-assisted image creation, character design, and basic animation. Working step by step,
attendees, including a strong contingent from the University of Sharjah, explored emerging
generative tools with a focus on practical application and creative workflow.
Another well-attended workshop given by the Emirates Photography Society, Portrait
Photography: Light and Shadow, examined how light, emotion, and composition combine to
create compelling portraits. Designed for beginners and photography enthusiasts, the hands-on
workshop demonstrated how both professional cameras and smartphones can be used
effectively with simple lighting setups. Participants took part in live demonstrations and guided
shooting exercises, with volunteer models and aspiring photographers rotating through setups
as lighting techniques were tested in real time.
The programme also addressed long-term creative practice through How to Develop a
Photography Book in 2026, led by Paris-based publisher and photography expert Gilles
Cargueray. The session offered a practical overview of transforming a photographic project into

a coherent publication, covering sequencing, design, production, and current commercial
considerations. Cargueray outlined the differences between working with publishers and self-
publishing, alongside guidance on proposals, funding, distribution, and professional
collaboration.
Drawing on more than four decades of experience supporting photographers and visual brands,
Cargueray shared case studies from completed projects and discussions with prospective
artists, offering insight into both creative decision-making and logistical challenges.
Delivered in both Arabic and English, the opening-day workshops concluded with open
discussions and the presentation of completion certificates. The sessions received strong
interest and positive feedback, reinforcing Xposure’s role as a platform where learning, practice,
and creative exchange are central to the festival experience.
The 10th edition of the Xposure International Photography Festival, held under the theme “A
Decade of Visual Storytelling”, runs from 29 January to 4 February 2026 at Aljada, Sharjah,
United Arab Emirates.

Sharjah, January 29, 2026 — The Xposure International Photography Festival 2026 opened to a strong public turnout on Thursday, as visitors gathered at Aljada in Sharjah to experience the opening day of the festival’s landmark 10th edition, held under the theme “A Decade of Visual Storytelling.”

Audiences explored a wide range of interactive displays, exhibitions and introductory sessions as Xposure launched its seven-day programme dedicated to photography, film and visual storytelling. The festival offers an extensive lineup of activities, including workshops for children and adults, public talks, panel discussions, portfolio review sessions, and opportunities to engage directly with photographers and documentary filmmakers from around the world.

A highlight of this year’s edition was the introduction of an interactive experience that brought photography and music together, expanding visual storytelling beyond static images into live artistic performance. In one of the festival halls, photographic exhibitions were complemented by musical renditions of classic works by Umm Kulthum and Fairuz, performed by Julie Al Bahiri, a media student at the American University of Sharjah (AUS), alongside her colleague Abdulrahman Tawfiq on the oud.

The spontaneous performance blended seamlessly with the surrounding exhibitions, creating a dynamic interaction between visitors and the creative space, and drawing warm engagement from audiences. The musical intervention reflects Xposure’s broader commitment to supporting emerging talent and providing the public with an integrated artistic experience where image and sound intersect.

Education and professional development remain central to Xposure 2026, with 280 portfolio review sessions, a wide range of hands-on workshops, and discussions examining visual storytelling across editorial, documentary and creative practices.

Spanning indoor and outdoor spaces across Aljada’s 49,000-square-metre venue, the festival features 95 exhibitions showcasing more than 3,200 artworks. In total, over 570 visual events are scheduled throughout the festival, organised across 12 thematic zones.

The 10th edition of the Xposure International Photography Festival runs from January 29 to February 4, 2026, at Aljada, Sharjah.