Iranian and Iraqi leaders have discussed ways to tackle climate change after a series of heavy dust storms in the region over the past few weeks.
Iraq has been hit with several storms in the past month, leading to one death. More than 5,000 people were taken to hospital with respiratory problems.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi called for an effective method to reduce the impact of climate change during a meeting with Iran’s vice president and head of the Department of Environment, Ali Salajegheh.
“The two parties discussed strengthening co-operation by confronting environmental challenges in a manner that guarantees the rights and common interests of the region,” said a statement carried by Iraq's state news agency.
Mr Al Kadhimi said it was the region's responsibility “to develop effective solutions to confront environmental threats”.
Mr Salajegheh said Iran was willing “to resolve outstanding issues” in the environmental field.
The Iranian official stressed the need to solve the issue of drought. He said: “Confronting the threat of dust storms has become a common regional demand and requires everyone to contribute to developing an effective solution for it.”
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein also met Mr Salajegheh. He said an agreement had been made to tackle drought and desertification.
Climate change 'has no borders'
Iraq is one of the world's most climate-vulnerable places. Climate change has taken a toll on the annual rainfall, increasing the frequency of dust storms, diminishing water supplies and harming agriculture.
Mr Al Kadhimi held a phone call with Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi late on Sunday and discussed ways to tackle the increase in dust storms.
Mr Raisi said: “Climate change is not restricted to any country and the climatic phenomena has no borders,” according to a statement by the semi-official Iranian state news agency IRNA.
The Iranian president said the region must “heed their responsibilities regarding this problem and act urgently”.
The region has always experienced dust storms, but they have become more frequent and intense in recent years.
The trend has been associated with the overuse of river water, more dams, overgrazing and deforestation.
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UAE team
1. Chris Jones-Griffiths 2. Gio Fourie 3. Craig Nutt 4. Daniel Perry 5. Isaac Porter 6. Matt Mills 7. Hamish Anderson 8. Jaen Botes 9. Barry Dwyer 10. Luke Stevenson (captain) 11. Sean Carey 12. Andrew Powell 13. Saki Naisau 14. Thinus Steyn 15. Matt Richards
Replacements
16. Lukas Waddington 17. Murray Reason 18. Ahmed Moosa 19. Stephen Ferguson 20. Sean Stevens 21. Ed Armitage 22. Kini Natuna 23. Majid Al Balooshi
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
If you go...
Flying
There is no simple way to get to Punta Arenas from the UAE, with flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi requiring at least two connections to reach this part of Patagonia. Flights start from about Dh6,250.
Touring
Chile Nativo offers the amended Los Dientes trek with expert guides and porters who are met in Puerto Williams on Isla Navarino. The trip starts and ends in Punta Arenas and lasts for six days in total. Prices start from Dh8,795.
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Company profile
Name: Steppi
Founders: Joe Franklin and Milos Savic
Launched: February 2020
Size: 10,000 users by the end of July and a goal of 200,000 users by the end of the year
Employees: Five
Based: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai
Financing stage: Two seed rounds – the first sourced from angel investors and the founders' personal savings
Second round raised Dh720,000 from silent investors in June this year
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
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