Saudi Arabian lawyer Jood Al Harthi is the first woman to be appointed as political affairs officer at the Executive Office of the Secretary-General of the UN in New York.
She joins a growing line of women diplomats who have taken on leading roles abroad for the kingdom.
Having worked at the UN for the past three years, Ms Al Harthi also worked at the secretary general's Rule of Law Unit for almost a year. Earlier, she worked in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, and the UN Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund in Central Asia, South Asia and Europe.
Ms Al Harthi has also co-chaired the Peace and Security Pillar Anti-Racism Action Group.
“I am pleased to share that I have joined the executive office as a political affairs officer. I am looking forward to supporting the high-level strategic plans and decision-making that are the United Nations' three pillars across the international community,” Ms Al Harthi said.
She graduated in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in law from Swansea University in Wales and then achieved a master’s degree in law from SOAS University of London.
Before her recent post, Ms Al Harthi worked in international law firms in London and Dubai.
In her new position, she will be working in areas covering peace, climate, women and youth empowerment, conflict and information management.
Female diplomacy
The announcement is “an extension of the empowerment of Saudi women and confidence in their capabilities,” Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Sunday.
So far five Saudi women represent the kingdom as ambassadors.
Princess Reema bint Bandar became Saudi Arabia’s first female ambassador when she was chosen by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to become the kingdom’s ambassador to the US in 2019.
Her father, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, held that position from 1983 to 2005.
Princess Reema previously worked as the vice president of women’s affairs and served as the deputy of planning and development for the Saudi General Sports Authority.
In 2021, Inas Al Shahwan was appointed as Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Sweden and Iceland.
Previously, she worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she was the adviser to the deputy foreign minister for political affairs and the first Saudi woman to hold a department manager position at the ministry.
In 2020, Amal Al Moallimi was appointed as the kingdom's ambassador to Norway. She was the assistant secretary general at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Centre for National Dialogue and worked at the Saudi Human Rights Commission in 2019.
This year, Haifa Al Jadea was appointed as ambassador and head of the kingdom’s mission to the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community.
Ms Al Jadea previously worked at the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre and represented the kingdom at the UN Security Council.
Nisreen bint Hamad Al Shibel was appointed as the kingdom's ambassador to Finland this month. She took her oath in front of King Salman.
“I extend my thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and to His Highness the Crown Prince — may God protect them — for the generous trust. I pray to the Almighty that I fulfil their expectations and to help me perform my work to the fullest extent. I also thank His Highness the Minister of Foreign Affairs for his support of the employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” she wrote on Twitter.
The biog
Birthday: February 22, 1956
Born: Madahha near Chittagong, Bangladesh
Arrived in UAE: 1978
Exercise: At least one hour a day on the Corniche, from 5.30-6am and 7pm to 8pm.
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi? “Everywhere. Wherever you go, you can relax.”
Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The years Ramadan fell in May
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Sri Lanka World Cup squad
Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Isuru Udana, Milinda Siriwardana, Avishka Fernando, Jeevan Mendis, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal.
SUZUME
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Scoreline
UAE 2-1 Saudi Arabia
UAE Mabkhout 21’, Khalil 59’
Saudi Al Abed (pen) 20’
Man of the match Ahmed Khalil (UAE)
Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
Zodi%20%26%20Tehu%3A%20Princes%20Of%20The%20Desert
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'Top Gun: Maverick'
Rating: 4/5
Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
Starring: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Ed Harris
RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner Canvassed, Par Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m
Winner Dubai Future, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Mouheeb, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
8.15pm Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
9.50pm Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Topper Bill, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
9.25pm Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner Man Of Promise, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Results
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m; Winner: Faiza, Sandro Paiva (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer).
5.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 1,400m; Winner: Greeley, Connor Beasley, Helal Al Alawi.
6pm: Emirates Fillies Classic Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 1,600m; Winner: Marzaga, Jim Crowley, Ana Mendez.
6.30pm: Emirates Colts Classic Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 1,600m; Winner: Jawaal, Jim Crowley, Majed Al Jahouri.
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m; Winner: AF Ashras, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m; Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Ahmed Al Mehairbi.
Veere di Wedding
Dir: Shashanka Ghosh
Starring: Kareena Kapoo-Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania
Verdict: 4 Stars
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Sour%20Grapes
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More coverage from the Future Forum
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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