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UAE Launches First Phase Of Blue Visa System For Environmental Champions

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 13, 2025

The UAE has officially launched the first phase of its Blue Visa system, granting 10-year residency permits to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to environmental protection and sustainability. The announcement was made during the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2025 in Dubai on February 11–13.

Aimed At Sustainability Advocates

The Blue Visa targets environmental champions, including NGOs, international organizations, award winners, and activists who have significantly contributed to sustainability. The first recipients of the visa will include 20 thought leaders and innovators in the field of sustainability, as confirmed by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP).

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How To Apply For The Blue Visa

This new visa offers 10-year residency to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to environmental causes. Eligible applicants include members of international organizations, global award winners, and environmental researchers or activists. Applicants can apply directly to the ICP or be nominated by the appropriate authorities in the UAE.

The Blue Visa will be granted electronically, with applications submitted through government agencies working in the sustainability sector, following the ICP’s approved procedures. The system, activated during the first phase, is an extension of the Golden and Green Residency programs.

Strengthening UAE’s Global Sustainability Role

Dr. Amna Bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE’s Minister of Climate Change and Environment, emphasized the country’s commitment to becoming a global sustainability leader. She noted that the Blue Visa initiative aligns with the UAE’s vision of attracting innovators and environmental leaders to achieve ambitious national sustainability goals.

Continuous Access To Blue Visa Services

Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, ICP’s director-general, announced that eligible individuals will have 24/7 access to the Blue Visa service through the ICP’s website and mobile app, subject to the established terms and conditions.

This initiative marks another significant step in the UAE’s sustainability journey, continuing its efforts to build a more sustainable future for its citizens and the world.

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Discovery of a New Dwarf Planet: Is Our Solar System Expanding?

by News Editor

June 16, 2025

A New Celestial Revelation: Meet 2017 OF201

In a groundbreaking astronomical discovery, researchers have identified a celestial body likely to be a dwarf planet far beyond Pluto. This thrilling discovery was made by astronomers from the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. Dubbed 2017 OF201, this object is located over twice the distance of Pluto from the Sun, marking it as one of the farthest known bodies in our solar system observable through optical telescopes.

Key Insights

The object is approximately 700 kilometers in diameter, smaller than Pluto’s 2377 kilometers, yet it stands to be the largest found in the outer solar system in over a decade if verified by radio telescopes.
Classified as an extreme trans-Neptunian object, 2017 OF201 joins the ranks of other icy bodies circling the Sun beyond Neptune’s orbit. This region is now known to host other giants such as Eris, Haumea, Makemake, and Gonggong.
Identified in a series of 19 observations over seven years, involving instruments like the Dark Energy Camera in Chile and the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, this discovery sheds light on the unexplored corners of the solar system.

Why 2017 OF201 Stands Out

2017 OF201 boasts a unique orbit, with its aphelion over 1600 times the Earth’s distance from the Sun. Meanwhile, its perihelion is 44.5 times the Earth-Sun distance, parallel to Pluto’s path. Such an extensive orbit is evidence of a chaotic past, likely involving gravitational interactions with a giant planet.

Unveiling the Kuiper Belt: A New Frontier

Nestled within the Kuiper Belt, this object hints at the possibility of numerous similar celestial bodies lingering in this icy expanse, largely hidden due to immense distances. As telescope technology advances, the possibility of unveiling more about our solar system’s outermost fringes grows ever more achievable.