Abu Dhabi recently played host to one of the most important series of meetings ever held to stimulate international co-operation in promoting clean energy.
As well as an opportunity for celebration, this is a moment to reflect on how far the UAE has come. The UAE is undergoing an energy revolution that will provide long-term benefits to the local economy, its people and the world.
First and foremost, the assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) was officially inaugurated last week, marking the agency's full legal establishment with Abu Dhabi as its permanent home.
The agency can now take on its rightful role as the world's most important driver of international co-operation on renewable energy; and its location in Abu Dhabi is an illustration of the UAE's commitment to a clean energy future.
In the same week, Abu Dhabi has also hosted the second meeting of the clean energy ministerial, a forum of energy ministers from 21 of the world's major economies. The UAE was the sole representative from the Arab region.
But Abu Dhabi's recognition as a centre for discourse and thought leadership on a clean energy future did not stop there.
The same week, the G20 held the first meeting of its clean energy working group in the capital - the first time the world's most influential group of governments, including the UAE, has addressed clean energy as a priority issue.
By any standard this is an extraordinary endorsement of the UAE's central role in clean energy.
The UAE's vision has - and will continue to be - the ongoing development of a diversified, competitive, knowledge economy strengthened and supported by national resources.
It has developed strong expertise in fossil energy markets and is well positioned to remain an energy leader in the future.
Masdar is advancing the development and commercialisation of renewable energy, clean technologies and demand-side energy-efficiency solutions. It serves as a dynamic bridge between today's fossil fuel economy and the energy economy of the future.
In so doing, it provides solutions to the UAE's growing energy needs and underpins our economy's knowledge, technology and innovation-driven growth.
The four guiding principles remain energy expertise, strategic partnerships, pragmatic innovation and commercial focus, which together will reinforce the UAE's position as a stable, responsible and safe supplier of energy.
While this will be a long and collaborative journey, the UAE is fortunate to be able to highlight early signs of mutual commitment.
Energy expertise is critical in meeting a key challenge in decarbonising the power sector - the need to improve the economics of renewable power generation.
This will be achieved by moving down the technology learning curve and enhancing learning rates with associated cost reductions through the large-scale deployment of clean technologies.
This year will see the first fruits of the programme to develop future experts in clean energy, with the first class of 153 students - 37 per cent of whom are female - graduating from the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology.
This new generation of indigenous experts is focused in the core disciplines of engineering and sciences - exactly where employment opportunities will be strongest.
The UAE is keen to build strategic partnerships. Not only has the partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology formed the basis of a thought leadership programme focused on energy and sustainability challenges, but the 2010 partnership with Siemens will bring substantial benefits. It will be focused on smart grid solutions and smart buildings for Masdar City, and carbon capture and storage.
Pragmatic innovation underpins our strategy. Our high economic growth, hot summer climate, large industrial sector and the need to desalinate our water supplies mean we have a rapidly growing demand for energy.
Not only must we meet these needs safely, securely and economically, we must be environmentally sensitive. For that, Masdar City is an important testing ground.
In late March, we hosted a collaborative R&D event with the Semi Conductor Research Association, looking at how to develop cost-effective, large-scale systems capable of achieving 25 per cent energy conversion by 2020.
Commercial focus lies at the heart of the UAE's strategy. Technologies such as carbon capture and storage ally our traditional expertise in oil and gas field reservoir management with new opportunities in clean technologies.
Furthermore, the country's development as a capital markets hub strongly positions us to meet the challenge of financing clean technology opportunities.
Plenty of work lies ahead for the UAE and for all the major economies to build a cleaner future. In addition, considering the current state of the Middle East, the UAE's investment in emerging markets may also help provide an economic anchor and a beacon for stability in the region.
This past week, with the world's eyes upon us, has let us reflect on how far we have come. Now we must remain steadfast in achieving our clean energy objectives.
Dr Sultan Al Jaber is the UAE Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change and chief executive of Masdar.
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
World Cricket League Division 2
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
When is VAR used?
• Goals
• Penalty decisions
• Direct red-card incidents
• Mistaken identity
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Roll%20of%20Honour%2C%20men%E2%80%99s%20domestic%20rugby%20season
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWest%20Asia%20Premiership%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Bahrain%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Premiership%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Jebel%20Ali%20Dragons%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Hurricanes%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Division%201%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Sharks%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Harlequins%20II%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Division%202%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%20III%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Sharks%20II%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDubai%20Sevens%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Hurricanes%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
The specs
Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 180hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 250Nm at 3,00rpm
Transmission: 5-speed sequential auto
Price: From Dh139,995
On sale: now
Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.
The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?
My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.
The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.
So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.
