Speech of His Highness The Emir of Qatar at The Global Vaccine Summit 2020

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In the Name of God, the Most Merciful,
the Most Compassionate


Ladies and Gentlemen,

I extend my thanks and appreciation to Mr. Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, for organizing and hosting this important conference.

COVID-19 pandemic constitutes an unprecedented challenge and threat to all humanity at all levels. In the absence of an effective vaccine or cure, some countries and societies have found themselves faced with the choice between two options both of which are bitter to swallow: either to seek prevention by lockdowns that may cripple the economy, or put the lives of people at risk by opting not to sacrifice the economy. Some countries have chosen compromising solutions by combining continuing to coexist with the pandemic and fighting it at the same time.

This crisis has shown that there is no alternative to international cooperation and exchange of experiences, which necessitate the redoubling of the joint efforts to eliminate COVID-19 with effective vaccines and cures, and preparations for confronting new epidemics in the long run.

The State of Qatar has spared no effort to enhance the rapid response to counter the serious repercussions of the crisis, and has
promptly taken all preventive procedures and measures to reduce its impact, and protect the citizens and residents on its soil.

Based on human solidarity we have provided medical assistance to more than 20 countries around the world in terms of supplies of medical equipment and construction of field hospitals, in addition to providing 140 million U.S. dollar worth of financial contribution for multilateral health care institutions working to develop vaccines and this context, we call upon the international community to work jointly to ensure fairness in providing necessary medicines and medical equipment to all countries.

The State of Qatar reiterates its support to the World Health Organization (WHO) for its coordinating efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and to promote global readiness to confront infectious diseases in the future.

I would like to announce a new 20 million dollar pledge from the State of Qatar to “GAVI” alliance.

In conclusion, I reiterate my thanks to the United Kingdom for organizing this conference, hoping that it will achieve its desired objectives.
May the Peace, Mercy, and Blessings of God be upon you.

Best Surfing Spots in Asia

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The world’s largest and most diverse continent, Asia boasts thousands of awesome beaches and places to enjoy water sports. White sands, turquoise waters, friendly locals offering a cold coconut as you trudge back onto a palm strewn beach… Asia has so many spots that could be considered paradise. But where do you start?

In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the best places to surf in Asia. Hopefully, it will help you to plan your next trip at a surf spot to suit you.

Siargao, Philippines

First on the list of the best surf spots in Asia has to be Siargao. Located just north west of Mindanao, this teardrop shaped island is the surfing capital of the Philippines. Cloud 9 Beach in General Luna is the island’s top surf spots and while there are several surf camps and schools, it never feels overcrowded or too tourist-oriented. There is great cuisine and plenty to see on the island on days when you may need a break from the waves too. The best time to visit Siargao Island for surfers is from July to November.

San Juan la Union, Philippines

Another of the best surfing spots in the Philippines is San Juan La Union… more specifically, Urbiztondo Beach. Widely regarded as the cheapest place in the world to learn to surf, you can find lessons for as little as P400 per hour. It’s a great place to learn to surf, and while you’re at it, why not try surf paddleboarding too? The waves are soft and welcoming for beginners. The best time to surf in San Juan is between November to March. So you could easily spend a July to November in Siargao before hopping over to San Juan!

Kuta, Indonesia

The island of Bali is popular with pretty much every type of tourist and traveller. And it’s no surprise really! As well as its stunning beaches, many temples, and electric nightlife, Bali offers great surfing. One of the best surfing spots in Bali is Kuta Beach - especially for beginners as there are loads of surf schools. The only downside of Kuta is that it can get very crowded, but there are quieter spots on the beach that just take a little effort to find!

Uluwatu, Indonesia

If you’ve had a bit of experience, you can skip Kuta and its surf schools and head straight on to Uluwatu. Located at the very southwestern tip of Bali, Uluwatu offers barrel waves, beach breaks, and long swells. The best months to surf are from April to August. Aside from surfing, Uluwatu is a great place to enjoy local life in Indonesia away from the majority of holidaymakers. There are lots of picturesque sights to see too, including Uluwatu Temple, which sits over the waves atop a steep cliff.

Weligama, Sri Lanka

Literally translated into English as sandy village, Weligama is a mix of a fishing village and resort on the south coast of Sri Lanka. It’s another cheap place to learn to surf, which is great for beginners. The beach break isn’t a big one, but it’s enough to give a beginner a rush! While surfing is great here all year round, the best time is between November and March. Other awesome surfing spots in Sri Lanka include Galle and Arugam Bay.

Kuda Huraa, North Male Atoll

One of the most exclusive destinations in the world, the Maldives is made up of 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean. While it’s popular with honeymooners, a few surfers make it here too. Kuda Huraa has amazing breaker quality - quite the challenge for an intermediate surfer. Kuda Huraa’s only hotel is the Four Seasons - so you’ll need more cash than for some of the other destinations on this list. However, if you’ve got it, it’s worth every penny - especially if you visit during the surf season of April to October.

Kata Beach, Thailand

Phuket is one of Thailand’s legendary party towns, and it’s pretty great for surfing too. Kata Beach boasts a number of surf schools which can help beginners catch their first waves. However, it’s pretty good for intermediates too, thanks to a mix of rough swells and soft waves.

Bai Dai Beach, Vietnam

Vietnam is a very long country with a very long coastline. So, just imagine how much space you’ll have on the longest stretch of beach in Vietnam! Bai Dai Beach in Nha Trang is one of the top tourist destinations in the country, and where the Vietnamese rich and famous spend their holidays. Nevertheless, surfing lessons with English speakers can be had for as little as $25 with board rental another 10. Best time to visit is between September and April.

Enoshima, Japan

While you might associate Japan with ultra-modern technology, bullet trains, and awesome food, surfing might not be on your radar. However, there are some incredible places to surf within an hour of Tokyo. Yes, really! Start your Japanese surfing in Enoshima, where there are loads of surf schools. If you’re happy to go further from the capital Tokyo, head to the Irino Coast. Not only is it great for surfing, but it’s also one of the most beautiful beaches in Japan!

Final Thoughts on the Best Surfing Spots in Asia

There you have it. Those are ten of the best surf spots across Asia. Since they’re all located in different countries, there’s something to suit different tastes, budgets, and travel styles. For more news, information and travel tips on Asia (and especially the Philippines) check out Wazzup Pilipinas.

DMCI Homes offers healthy condo building designs

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Long before a "new normal" lifestyle came about because of the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), health experts around the world had advocated for a change in living conditions to reduce the risk of contracting diseases.

The World Health Organization (WHO) for one has long underscored the importance of natural ventilation in living spaces to reduce lung-related illnesses by up to 20%.

WHO in its website states that buildings should have adequate ventilation to improve indoor air quality and reduce risks posed by trapped or stale air which include allergies and asthma to name a few.

Good thing for DMCI Homes’ unit owners, half the work has already been done with their condo units that are designed to maximize the benefits of natural air and sunlight.

As early as in the late 2000s, the Quadruple A developer had started implementing a design technology for high-rise buildings that allows sunlight and cross ventilation inside condominium units.

This design innovation called Lumiventt® Design Technology - from the words “lumen” meaning light and “ventus” meaning wind - takes advantage of natural light and air by having three-story high openings dubbed as Sky Patios as entry points to make this possible.

With this design technology, natural light and air enters the sides of the building and pass through landscaped atriums which are built in every five floors of the building.

Winds passing through and around the structures with the help of breezeways and vents in both sides of the building create areas of positive and negative pressure thereby supplying fresh air to the units while pushing stale or hot air outside of the structure.

Coupled with meticulous placement of doors, windows, and balconies for the unobstructed flow of air and sunlight throughout the units, the build-up of moisture, odors and harmful gases are minimized resulting to long-term health benefits for building occupants.

It also helps that most DMCI Homes condominium units have an open-space layout. This free-flowing and functional design means the building requires less walls and dividers, which in turn encourages air and natural light to flow within.

With regular cleaning and disinfection, condo-dwellers get to have all these health benefits while enjoying a comfortable and relaxing vacation lifestyle in all DMCI Homes condominium units.